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

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

€7,200,000 total; one grant anticipated; single-stage application

ELEVATE unites EU digital skills academies to deliver quality accreditation, build capacity, foster collaboration, and analyze market needs to support advanced digital skills across Europe.

--- ## Description ELEVATE is an initiative under the Digital Europe Programme designed to create a cohesive European ecosystem for advanced digital skills by federating sectoral academies, EU-funded projects, and related initiatives. The project aims to establish a seal of quality/accreditation for digital training modules, deliver capacity building through cross-sectoral mentoring, and facilitate collaboration via the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform. ELEVATE will also conduct detailed market analyses and foresight studies to identify gaps in advanced digital skills education, organize networking and outreach events, and set up a sustainable multi-stakeholder governance framework. The initiative supports the EU’s Digital Decade targets, including the goal of reaching 20 million ICT professionals by 2030, and promotes systemic improvements such as joint European degrees and micro-credentials. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: November 4, 2025 - Submission deadline: March 3, 2026, 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Total available budget: €7,200,000 - Expected number of grants: 1 - Type of action: Coordination and Support Action (DIGITAL-CSA) - Single-stage application process --- ## Eligibility - Proposals must comply with admissibility and eligibility conditions as detailed in the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/wp-call/2026/call-fiche_digital-2026-skills-09_en.pdf). - Eligible countries: typically EU Member States, EEA countries, and associated countries (see section 6 of the call document for details). - Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity. - Proposals must be submitted by consortia including relevant stakeholders (e.g., sectoral academies, universities, industry, NGOs). --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-09-LEAGUE-OF-ACADEMIES?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Use the standard application form for the Digital Europe Programme; templates are available in the portal. - Adhere to the proposal page limits and formatting requirements outlined in the application form. - Evaluation follows criteria in section 9 of the call document (excellence, impact, and quality/efficiency of implementation). --- ## Additional Information - ELEVATE is intended as an umbrella action at the European level, federating sectoral initiatives such as the Cybersecurity Skills Academy, EuroHPC Virtual Training Academy, and other EU-funded projects. - Strong focus on cross-sectoral collaboration, sharing of best practices, and systemic improvements in digital education. - Expected deliverables include a piloted accreditation mechanism, mentoring programs, resource sharing via the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform, and robust market/foresight analyses. - Partner search and collaboration opportunities are available via the portal. --- ## External Links - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal – Topic Details](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-09-LEAGUE-OF-ACADEMIES?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-skills-09_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form (DEP)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/temp-form/af/af_dep_en.pdf) - [DEP Work Programmes](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/work-programmes-digital) - [EU Grants Annotated Model Grant Agreement](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/aga_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Method | |-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Funding portal support | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Write to EU support | [Write to us](https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/write-us_en) | | Phone (EC switchboard) | +32 2 299 11 11 |

ELEVATE: European League of Advanced Digital Skills Academies

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