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

October 2, 2025

€10,000,000 total; typically one grant awarded for up to 36 months, 100% funding rate.

Supports the continued operation of the Data Spaces Support Centre to coordinate, standardize, and promote interoperable data sharing initiatives across Europe.

Multi-beneficiary, cross-country consortia (min. 3 independent applicants from 3 countries) are mandatory.

--- ## Description The Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC) grant under the Digital Europe Programme aims to ensure the ongoing coordination and support of Common European Data Spaces. The DSSC acts as a central hub for knowledge sharing, stakeholder engagement, technology standardization, and the development of interoperable, secure, and trusted data sharing frameworks across sectors in Europe. The Centre will focus on deployment, operational support, and the interconnection of data spaces, actively involving stakeholders from industry, public administration, academia, and civil society. Key activities include community building, defining governance and infrastructure requirements, and maintaining a collaborative platform for best practices and support. The DSSC also supports the European Data Innovation Board in identifying cross-sector standards and promoting best practices for security and data access. --- ## Due Dates - October 2, 2025: Full application submission deadline (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total available budget for this topic: **€10,000,000** - Funding rate: **100% of eligible costs** - Expected to fund **one project** (single grant) - Project duration: **36 months** - Eligible costs include personnel, travel, equipment (depreciation only), subcontracting, and other direct costs as per the Model Grant Agreement. --- ## Eligibility - **Consortium requirement:** Minimum of 3 independent applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities) from 3 different eligible countries. - **Eligible entities:** Legal entities (public or private) established in: - EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories) - EEA countries and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme - **Ineligible entities:** Natural persons (except self-employed sole traders), most international organizations (except those of European Interest), and entities subject to EU restrictive or conditionality measures. - **Security restrictions:** Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network equipment are not eligible. - **Consortium composition:** Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory. The consortium must be representative of the data sharing ecosystem, including public, private, academic, and civil society organizations. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2025-AI-08-DS-SUPPORT?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=13&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) before the deadline. - **Proposal structure:** - Part A: Administrative information (online form) - Part B: Technical description (PDF upload, max 50 pages) - **Mandatory documents:** Application forms (Parts A & B), consortium details, and all required annexes as specified in the submission system. - **Evaluation:** Proposals evaluated on relevance, implementation, and impact (minimum thresholds apply). - **Timeline:** Evaluation results expected January 2026; grant agreement signature anticipated by March 2026. --- ## Additional Information - **Scope of activities:** - Community building and stakeholder engagement - Development and promotion of standards, governance models, and interoperability protocols - Maintenance and development of the DSSC.EU platform for knowledge sharing and support - **Target stakeholders:** Businesses (including SMEs), public administrations, research institutions, standardization bodies, open data communities, and civil society. - **Equipment costs:** Only depreciation is eligible. - **Project website:** Communication costs for project visibility are eligible; separate project websites are not. - **Ethics and security:** Projects must comply with EU ethical standards and may be subject to ethics and security reviews. --- ## External Links - [Call Topic & Submission Portal (DIGITAL-2025-AI-08-DS-SUPPORT)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2025-AI-08-DS-SUPPORT?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=13&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call Document & Guidelines (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_digital-2025-ai-08_en.pdf) - [Model Grant Agreement (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/agr-contr/mga_dep_en.pdf) - [Application Form Template](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/temp-form/af/af_dep_en.pdf) - [Online Manual for Applicants](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [List of Eligible Countries](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/list-3rd-country-participation_h2020_en.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Link/Details | |------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Call-specific queries | [Write to the EU](https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/write-us_en) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | ---

Data Spaces Support Centre

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