Don't miss a thing - follow us in our newsletters and channels
We talk about exciting innovations, funding, events and how your organization can become more innovative.
Sweden steps up European effort on AI, cybersecurity and digitalisation with 600 million
Starting in 2026, Sweden's participation in DIGITAL, the EU program for a digital Europe, will be strengthened by SEK 600 million. The funds will go to support Swedish actors who are granted funding for project within the program.
Sweden will become a leader in the field of digitalization. From 2026, the government will strengthen the DIGITAL program with SEK 100 million per year for six years. The increased budget will go to co-finance Swedish actors who participate in project approved in a call for proposals within the EU program's work program 2025 to 2027. The investment will contribute to strengthening Sweden's ability to drive Europe's digital development forward.
– That Sweden expands its effort on a digital Europe shows that we want to be a driving force in the digitalization area. Swedish actors have great potential to make Europe competitive, innovative and resilient. The investment makes it possible for more project with Swedish participation to be implemented and become successful, says Johan Lindberg, responsible for DIGITAL at Vinnova.
In the fall of 2025, the government announced that the budget for co-financing for DIGITAL Medfinansieringen will be used to support Swedish actors in upcoming project. If there is significant interest, project with Swedish leadership and high quality based on the EU's ranking will be prioritized.
In order to apply for co-financing, Swedish actors in an upcoming EU project need to send an expression of interest, see link below. There are already two calls for proposals for expression of interest published, and more opportunities are expected.
– We are happy to receive expressions of interest as soon as a prospective consortium knows that they will apply for funding. This gives us the opportunity to better plan our budget and can see which calls for proposals there will be co-financing for. We also get early contact with people who will apply for funds and can support them with information. Expression of interest can be made both before and a few days after the call for proposals has closed. European collaboration is important for Swedish actors and we hope for a good response to the initiative, concludes Johan Lindberg.
Do you want to apply for co-financing?
Do you have or are you going to apply for project in a call for proposals within DIGITAL and would like the opportunity for co-financing? For applications submitted in 2025, we would like to receive your expression of interest as soon as possible.
For calls for proposals that close in 2026, the last date for expression of interest will be published on the Swedish Agency for Digital Governance (Digg) website.
Read about upcoming calls for proposals and funding opportunities on Digg's website
About the DIGITAL program
DIGITAL is an EU funding programme that will shape and support the digital transformation of Europe's society and economy. Swedish companies, public actors, research environments and other organisations have the opportunity to apply for funding through the DIGITAL programme for project in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital competence and the application of digital technology.
Digg is the national coordinator of DIGITAL. The assignment is carried out together with the E-Health Agency, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova.
Information about the program: What is DIGITAL?
Read the government assignment
Read about the addition: Budget letter 2026 Appropriation 2:4 (State Office)
Press release: Major investments in AI and data – strengthening welfare and Swedish competitiveness
Questions?
Last updated 15 January 2026