[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

November 4, 2025 (opens) | March 3, 2026 (deadline)

€3,500,000 total for this topic; typically 1 grant awarded

Grant to build and coordinate a collaborative digital platform advancing software, hardware, AI, and autonomous driving technologies for the European automotive sector.

--- ## Description This grant supports the design, development, and coordination of a European collaboration platform focused on digital technology advancements for the automotive sector. The initiative aims to accelerate the digital transformation and competitiveness of the European automotive industry by fostering joint developments in software, hardware, AI models, and autonomous driving technologies. Key objectives include: - Creating a strategic roadmap for digital automotive technologies. - Defining high-level architectures and interfaces for software, hardware, and AI solutions. - Nurturing a dynamic ecosystem of contributors and participants. - Establishing operational digital platforms for joint development and integration. - Aligning standards and supporting the integration of building blocks from EU and nationally funded projects. - Fostering sustainable, industry-driven governance structures. The action will contribute to the implementation of the Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector and support the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA), particularly in the development of software-defined vehicles, in-vehicle computing architectures, innovative AI solutions, and the transition towards autonomous driving. --- ## Due Dates - **Call opens:** November 4, 2025 - **Proposal deadline:** March 3, 2026, 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - **Total available for this topic:** €3,500,000 - **Indicative number of grants:** 1 --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible countries:** See Section 6 of the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/wp-call/2026/call-fiche_digital-2026-ai-09_en.pdf). - **Applicant types:** Typically consortia including research organisations, companies, and other stakeholders active in automotive digital technologies. - **Additional eligibility criteria:** See detailed conditions in the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/wp-call/2026/call-fiche_digital-2026-ai-09_en.pdf). --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Single-stage electronic submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2026-AI-09-AUTOMOTIVE?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Application forms:** [Standard application form (DEP)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/temp-form/af/af_dep_en.pdf) and specific templates available in the Submission System. - **Proposal guidelines:** See Part B of the Application Form and Section 5 of the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/wp-call/2026/call-fiche_digital-2026-ai-09_en.pdf). - **Evaluation:** Criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in Section 9 of the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/wp-call/2026/call-fiche_digital-2026-ai-09_en.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - The grant is part of the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). - Only one grant is expected to be awarded for this topic. - Proposals should address management and coordination of joint developments, alignment on standards, and the establishment of sustainable collaboration and governance mechanisms. --- ## External Links - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal – Topic Details](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2026-AI-09-AUTOMOTIVE?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call Document (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/wp-call/2026/call-fiche_digital-2026-ai-09_en.pdf) - [Online Manual for Applicants](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [General FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) - [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Method | |---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EU Funding Queries| [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Call-specific Questions | [EU Write to Us Form](https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/write-us_en) | | Telephone (main switchboard)| +32 2 299 11 11 |

Collaboration platform for the European connected and autonomous vehicle of the future

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