Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) across Europe now have a valuable opportunity to strengthen their cybersecurity frameworks, thanks to a new funding initiative from the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, supported by the European Commission.
A total of €145.5 million in cybersecurity funding is being made available through two key programs: the Digital Europe Programme and Horizon Europe. These funds aim to help SMBs, public entities, and healthcare providers enhance their cyber resilience in an increasingly complex digital threat landscape.
Round 1: €55 Million for Healthcare-Focused Cybersecurity
The first funding round, totaling €55 million, will specifically support companies offering cybersecurity solutions to the healthcare sector. Offered under the Digital Europe Programme, this round emphasizes improving organizations’ capabilities to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats, with a strong focus on ransomware resilience.
This healthcare-focused initiative is especially timely given the growing cybersecurity risks arising from geopolitical tensions, including conflicts between Israel and Iran, as well as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The goal is to help healthcare organizations implement proactive cybersecurity measures to safeguard critical infrastructure.
Application open till October 7, 2025
Round 2: €90.5 Million for Broader SMB Cybersecurity and Innovation
The second funding round, under Horizon Europe, will allocate €90.5 million to SMBs across various sectors, not limited to healthcare. This round will primarily focus on the adoption of advanced technologies, particularly the integration of Generative AI to enhance cybersecurity operations.
It also aims to promote privacy-enhancing technologies such as post-quantum cryptography, ensuring Europe stays ahead of emerging cyber threats in the era of AI and quantum computing.
Application open till November 12, 2025
How to Apply
Eligible organizations can find full details, application requirements, and submission guidelines on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Both funding rounds are designed to help European businesses modernize their cybersecurity infrastructure, adapt to evolving threats, and adopt future-ready technologies.
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