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Call key data
Specialised Education Programmes in Key Capacity Areas
Funding Program
Digital Europe
Call number
DIGITAL-2024-ADVANCED-DIGITAL-07-KEYCAPACITY
deadlines
Opening
04.07.2024
Deadline
21.11.2024 17:00
Funding rate
50%
Call budget
€ 55,000,000.00
Estimated EU contribution per project
€ 10,000,000.00
Link to the call
Link to the submission
Call content
short description
The objective of the call for this topic is to support excellence in higher education institutions, making them world leaders in training the digital specialists of the future and to increase the capacity of the educational offer in the area of advanced digital skills. This should lead to the development of dynamic digital educational ecosystems where higher education institutions as well as innovative partners from industry and research work together to attract and retain the best talents worldwide.
Call objectives
The primary objective of this topic is to support the design and delivery of higher education programme(s) (hereafter programmes) at ISCED levels 6 (Bachelor's or equivalent level), 7 (Master's or equivalent level) or 8 (doctoral or equivalent level) leading to a degree and to develop related self-standing modules (online, hybrid or in-person) leading to a certification. These programme(s) and module(s) need to be co-designed jointly between higher education institutions and industry as well as research partners and other partners in the consortium (if applicable). The choice of the type of programme(s) and self-standing module(s), as well as the precise curricula and the modalities (e.g. bachelor, master or doctoral programme; single or joint degree; academic or professional programme, etc.) is left to the consortium to determine. The programme(s) are to be delivered and awarded by higher education institutions and can additionally be delivered and awarded by Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions (if part of the consortium). The self-standing module(s) can be delivered and awarded by any training provider part of the consortium. For both programme(s) and self-standing module(s), consortia are highly encouraged to include practice-oriented components (e.g. acquisition of practical experience in a company/organisation, visits of industry facilities or research organisations, etc.).
Proposals under this topic must address the design and delivery of one of the following types of programmes:
Consortia can deliver more than one programme leading to a degree (irrespectively if they choose type 1 or 2) in the selected digital area or strategic sector (a.-j.) and are required to additionally develop self-standing modules leading to a certification.
Consortia can additionally deliver conversion programme(s) for students graduated from a bachelor’s programme from non-ICT fields to access specialised master’s programmes.
The proposals should clearly identify the type of programme: type 1 the digital area or type 2 strategic sector as the main focus of their programme(s) and self-standing modules. It is expected to fund at least the highest-ranking proposal from each above listed key digital area and strategic sector, provided that all thresholds are attained and within the limits of the budget available for this topic.
Type 1: Programme(s) to build up advanced digital skills in one of the following key digital areas:
- Virtual worlds
- Edge computing
- Quantum computing
- Photonics
- Robotics and automatization
Type 2.1: Interdisciplinary programme(s), targeting at the acquisition of advanced green digital skills related to specific technologies such as AI, data analytics, extended reality, robotics, cloud computing, internet of things and machine learning in the following specific sectors related to the green transition:
- Agriculture
- Transport
- Renewable energy
- Waste management
Type 2.2: Interdisciplinary programme(s), targeting at the acquisition of advanced digital skills for:
- Government and public sector
All programmes should also address learning outcomes related to societal challenges of today, e.g. Sustainable Development Goals and facilitate understanding and uptake of ethical principles for trustworthy technologies. Proposals are also encouraged to include in the designed programme(s) or self-standing module(s) dedicated interdisciplinary courses from other relevant academic disciplines, in particular from the social sciences and humanities addressing specific challenges and opportunities related to the use of advanced digital technologies.
Additionally, designed programme(s) in the domains of virtual worlds, edge computing, and robotics and automatization (a., b., and e.) and interdisciplinary programme(s) targeting the acquisition of advanced digital skills for government and public sector (j.) or self-standing module(s) related to those fields should integrate courses on the nature, development, technical and economic integration and use of open source software, as well as hardware (only for b and e).
Each participating higher education institution (minimum 3; see section Targeted stakeholders) needs to offer and deliver the programme to a minimum of 25 students per programme cycle. In this respect, delivering a joint master is not a requirement of this call topic. At least one full cycle of the programme should be delivered and at least one second cycle of the programme should start during the duration of the project (48 months). This results in a minimum of at least 150 students enrolled in the programme(s) during the duration of the project (min. 3 institutions, min. 25 students per programme cycle, min. 2 cycles). The awarded projects should aim at training at least 150 additional students (participants) through self-standing modules delivered by consortium members during the duration of the project. High priority will be given to consortia that have high ambitions in terms of the number of students trained and successfully completing the programme(s) and module(s) as well as delivering excellent programmes and modules.
Projects funded under this topic will be requested to collaborate with the Coordination and support action (CSA) selected by the call topic DIGITAL-2023-SKILLS-05-SPECIAL-PROGEDU. This CSA will provide different support and collaboration activities to the projects selected under this topic. Moreover, projects funded under this call topic will also be requested to collaborate with the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform to promote their outputs (programme(s), self-standing modules and other) via the platform’s communication activities and by including descriptive information in its training repository.
Projects funded under this topic are further encouraged to build complementarities with other actions of this pillar as well as with actions on technology deployment supported by other pillars of the Digital Europe Programme and strengthen complementarities with Erasmus+, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), European Universities Alliances, the Deep Tech Talent Initiative, the Large-Scale Partnerships under the Pact for Skills as well as the Centres of Vocation Excellence (COVE).
Additionally, projects funded under this topic will be requested to collect data from the participants of the programme(s) and self-standing module(s) related to the performance indicators set by the Digital Europe Programme, namely Indicator 1 (Persons who have received training to acquire advanced digital skills) and 3 (People reporting improved employment situation after the end of the training supported by the Programme), if feasible within the duration of the projects, for Specific Objective 4: Promote advanced digital skills to address the shortage of digital experts, particularly in key technological areas.
Proposals can request a contribution of up to EUR 10 million as a lump sum grant, with a duration of up to 48 months, with a co-financing rate of 50%. Consequently, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals with different duration or for other amounts.
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Expected effects and impacts
Actions funded under this topic will contribute to the target of 20 million ICT specialists in the EU by 2030, as set in the Digital Decade Policy Programme. These actions will also contribute to closing the digital skills gap, as currently, the EU has a significant and systemic gap between market needs and what is offered in terms of skills related to advanced digital technologies. Gains from major breakthroughs in digital technologies cannot materialise if there are not enough people to develop, deploy and use those technologies and their related applications. Evidence from the Structured Dialogue on digital education and skills with Member States shows that a majority of Member States expressed concerns about the shortage of ICT specialists.
Even in Member States that are digital frontrunners, there is a persistent shortage of people able to develop and deploy key digital technologies. There is also a significant increase in the demand for professionals combining sectoral knowledge with digital skills enabling the use of digital solutions for specific business cases. This is, for example, the case of employees in the manufacturing sector able to use extended reality (XR) tools to repair engines remotely or professionals in green transition industries who are increasingly relying on advanced digital technologies in the development of renewable energy or clean and smart mobility solutions.
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Expected results
The proposed project(s) must address at least objective 1 and one or more of objectives 2-4:
- Design and delivery of programme(s) and self-standing module(s) that provide students with the necessary theoretical and practical advanced digital skills and knowledge to design, deploy and use current and future generation of digital technologies and applications;
- Attracting qualified teaching staff and students;
- Upgrading digital solutions, equipment and infrastructure, with a special focus on interoperability of IT systems across participating higher education institutions;
- Establishing structural and sustainable partnerships between the members of the consortium.
More details can be found on pages 9-12 of the call document.
Eligibility Criteria
Regions / countries for funding
Moldova (Moldova), Albania (Shqipëria), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosna i Hercegovina / Босна и Херцеговина), Iceland (Ísland), Kosovo (Kosova/Kosovë / Косово), Liechtenstein, Montenegro (Црна Гора), North Macedonia (Северна Македонија), Norway (Norge), Serbia (Srbija/Сpбија), Türkiye, Ukraine (Україна)
eligible entities
Education and training institution, Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) / Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Other, Private institution, incl. private company (private for profit), Public Body (national, regional and local; incl. EGTCs), Research Institution incl. University, Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)
Mandatory partnership
Yes
Project Partnership
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium composed of a minimum 6 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) from 4 different eligible countries.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be:
- legal entities (public or private bodies)
- established in one of the eligible countries:
- EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
- listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme (list of participating countries)
Specific cases:
Natural persons are NOT eligible (with the exception of self-employed persons, i.e. sole traders, where the company does not have legal personality separate from that of the natural person).
International organisations — International organisations are not eligible, unless they are International organisations of European Interest within the meaning of Article 2 of the Digital Europe Regulation (i.e. international organisations the majority of whose members are Member States or whose headquarters are in a Member State).
EU bodies — EU bodies (with the exception of the European Commission Joint Research Centre) can NOT be part of the consortium.
Entities without legal personality — Entities which do not have legal personality under their national law may exceptionally participate, provided that their representatives have the capacity to undertake legal obligations on their behalf, and offer guarantees for the protection of the EU financial interests equivalent to that offered by legal persons.
Associations and interest groupings — Entities composed of members may participate as ‘sole beneficiaries’ or ‘beneficiaries without legal personality’.
Targeted stakeholders:
The participating consortium members should demonstrate complementary roles in the proposal and demonstrate an outstanding track record in their respective fields.
The consortium is highly recommended to include at least three degree awarding higher education institutions from three different eligible countries which are part of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE). Higher education institutions established in other eligible countries which are not part of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education can also be included in the consortium. In this case, the consortium has to prove that the specific higher education institution is recognised by the competent national authority and offers full study programmes leading to higher education degrees and recognised diplomas at tertiary education qualifications levels.
In addition to this, it is highly recommended for consortia to include a minimum of two industry partners whose headquarters are located in two different eligible countries. The consortium is also encouraged to particularly involve small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as start-ups.
The consortium is also encouraged to include at least one additional independent research organisation/hub or competence/excellence centre. In the proposal, the consortium is encouraged to demonstrate the relevance of this partner(s) by referring to aspects such as the points below, but not limited to them:
- The number of patent applications in the areas identified within the scope of this call topic (section 2);
- The number of papers accepted in conferences and published in scientific journals on the above-mentioned areas;
- The number of relevant national or EU funded projects (H2020, etc.).
To facilitate the participation of Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions in the design and delivery of advanced digital skills training opportunities and to support flexible learning pathways, it is encouraged to seek cooperation with VET providers, preferably as partners in the consortium. The proposals should outline how the proposed project will exploit the unique insights of VET into the labour market needs and its links with the industry to support the design and delivery of the programme(s) and self-standing module(s).
Particular attention should be given to:
- Ensuring inclusivity in Europe and help widening the specialised education offer in all Member States with a special focus on those Member States that score low in terms of advanced digital skills levels, according to the Digital Economy and Society Index;
- Inclusion of industry partners, in particular start-ups and SMEs, but also other public or private entities that can be instrumental for the delivery of the actions requested by this call topic;
- Close collaboration with other stakeholders that provide technical expertise and experimentation and testing facilities (e.g. with European Digital Innovation Hubs) is highly encouraged.
Please note that higher education institutions already delivering similar programmes as the ones addressed by the proposal addressing this call topic can participate. However, they must explain the added value of the newly designed programme(s) and self-standing module(s) compared to the existing education offer delivered in the latest academic years.
European Universities alliances selected under the Erasmus+ programme and other alliances of higher education institutions are also encouraged to participate, provided that they include the necessary partners requested and they fulfil all the objectives outlined in this section. Participation of alliances involving VET institutions such as COVEs is also encouraged.
other eligibility criteria
Financial support to third parties is allowed for grants and prizes under the following conditions:
- the calls must be open, published widely and conform to EU standards concerning transparency, equal treatment, conflict of interest and confidentiality
- the calls must be published on the Funding & Tenders Portal, and on the participants’ websites
- the calls must remain open for at least two months
- if call deadlines are changed this must immediately be published on the Portal and all registered applicants must be informed of the change
- the outcome of the call must be published on the participants’ websites, including a description of the selected projects, award dates, project durations, and final recipient legal names and countries
- the calls must have a clear European dimension.
- Financial support to third parties will be accepted in projects which use grants and prizes to support students to participate in the programme(s), self-standing modules and internships.
- Your project application must clearly specify why financial support to third parties is needed, how it will be managed and provide a list of the different types of activities for which a third party may receive financial support. The proposal must also clearly describe the results to be obtained
Projects involving EU classified information must undergo security scrutiny to authorise funding and may be made subject to specific security rules (detailed in a security aspects letter (SAL) which is annexed to the Grant Agreement).
Additional information
Topics
Relevance for EU Macro-Region
EUSAIR - EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Space, EUSBSR - EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, EUSDR - EU Strategy for the Danube Region
UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs)
project duration
48 months
Additional Information
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System (accessible via the Topic page in the Search Funding & Tenders section. Paper submissions are NOT possible.
Proposals must be complete and contain all the requested information and all required annexes and supporting documents:
- Application Form Part A — contains administrative information about the participants (future coordinator, beneficiaries and affiliated entities) and the summarised budget for the project (to be filled in directly online)
- Application Form Part B — contains the technical description of the project (to be downloaded from the Portal Submission System, completed and then assembled and re-uploaded)
- Mandatory annexes and supporting documents (to be uploaded):
- detailed budget table/calculator: applicable
- CVs of core project team: not applicable
- activity reports of last year: not applicable
- list of previous projects (key projects for the last 4 years) (template available in Part B): applicable
- ownership control declarations: not applicable
Proposals are limited to maximum 70 pages (Part B).
Call documents
DIGITAL-2024-ADVANCED-DIGITAL-07-KEYCAPACITYDIGITAL-2024-ADVANCED-DIGITAL-07-KEYCAPACITY(590kB)
Contact
Website
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