Specific Objective 4

Advanced digital skills

About this programme

About the programme

Specific Objective 4 – Advanced Digital Skills supports achieving the target of 20 million ICT specialists employed in Europe by 2030 set in the Digital Decade Policy Programme, while attracting more young people to ICT careers and decreasing the gender gap in the field.

Activities will focus on the industrial needs in digital areas and on the scale up of relevant digital education and training offers in close coordination with industry.

In the 2025-2027 period, activities under SO 4 will comprise the following aspects:

  • Establishing digital skills academies in four key digital areas (quantum, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and virtual worlds) to address the unique skills needs of each specific digital area, ranging from developing higher education programmes to different targeted and modular short-term training and hands-on experiences.
  • Supporting the delivery of higher education and training programmes in some additional key digital areas such as data analytics, advanced communication networks (5G/ 6G), cybersecurity, internet of things, robotics, edge and cloud computing and software engineering, and skills for the development and uptake of applied technologies.
  • Engaging young people in cutting edge digital technologies.
  • Further supporting and expanding four existing actions: i) attracting and keeping skilled women in tech; ii) the EU Code week initiative; iii) the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform and iv) the Cybersecurity skills academy.
  • Reinforcing the European educational technology ecosystem by supporting startups and SMEs to offer highly innovative educational solutions that are in line with the EU values and legislation.
Click to read more 
Hide text 

Your NCP contact for this programme

Image of Marie Timmermann

Marie Timmermann

marie.timmermann@fwo.be

+32 2 550 15 59

Your PC contact for this programme

Find the contact info on the site of WEWIS

The National Contact Points (NCPs) provide support, guidance, and practical information to potential applicants, helping them navigate funding opportunities and application processes.

The Programme Committee (PC) members represent their country in decision-making about the work programmes, evaluate implementation, and provide strategic input on priorities and calls.

Latest news

Infosheets

Infosheets contain edited content on aspects related to this programme. They are reviewed at least yearly.

Related links

Related links are easy pointers towards external information. We curate the list, but are not liable for the destinations.

Documents

Documents contain additional information related to this programme, and are similar to related links.

Testimonial

image of Autoship - a new and durable way of freight transport

Autoship - a new and durable way of freight transport

Autoship is, as the name suggests, an acronym for autonomous ship. Just like with self-driving cars, the possibilities of an unmanned boat seem endless. It can create more efficient freight transport, around the clock deliveries and these are just a few of the examples. The project has two societal challenges.

At first, De Vlaamse Waterweg was a bit hesitant as their experience with FP7 or Horizon 2020 projects was limited and they had not been very successful up until then. The fact that they were already doing basic research on the topic of autonomous boats, and the administrative help of NCP FLanders helped De Vlaamse waterweg to cross the line and get involved.