Europe’s €307 million AI funding call

January 19, 2026 at 10:03 AM UTC
The Next Web
Original: EN
Europe’s €307 million AI funding call

The European Commission launched a €307.3 million funding initiative on January 15th, targeting artificial intelligence and related technologies under the Horizon Europe program. This funding push aims to foster trustworthy AI and enhance European digital autonomy, signaling a strategic move to bolster the continent's capabilities in the digital sphere. The investment underscores the EU's commitment to shaping its technological future. The funding will support projects across various domains, including trustworthy AI, data services, robotics, quantum computing, and photonics. While the €307.3 million figure may seem modest compared to global private sector investments in AI, the initiative's significance lies in its strategic focus. The EU's emphasis on "open strategic autonomy" suggests a desire to reduce reliance on external technologies. This funding call will likely impact European software companies, research institutions, and digital platforms involved in AI development and deployment. The initiative's emphasis on trustworthy AI aligns with existing regulations such as the AI Act, which seeks to establish ethical guidelines for AI development. This move is aimed at accelerating the development of European alternatives to US Big Tech services.

Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.

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Publication: The Next Web
Published: January 19, 2026 at 10:03 AM UTC
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