Looking to pilot cybersecurity solutions? The CyberSynchrony Open Call offers up to €200,000 to strengthen NIS2 critical infrastructure, with integration into a large-scale EU initiative.
About the CYberSynchrony Project
CyberSynchrony is a 36-month project funded by the EU under the Digital Europe Programme, launched in June 2024 to develop an integrated, modular cybersecurity platform. The project aims to strengthen the EU’s cyber resilience by aligning people, processes and technology.
CyberSynchrony combines advanced threat intelligence, real-time monitoring, incident response automation and secure cross-border communication, delivering core modules that support detection, awareness, compliance and coordinated defence. The project targets key sectors under the NIS2 Directive, promoting cooperation between Member States and critical infrastructure operators.
About CyberSynchrony Open Call 1
This call is part of CyberSynchrony and focuses on strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure and operational readiness in four critical sectors: energy, transport, drinking water supply and manufacturing. Open Call 1 invites proposals offering tools or services aligned with CyberSynchrony modules, such as threat intelligence, incident response and awareness activities, supporting the project’s objective of improving the resilience of essential services.
In addition, CyberSynchrony has launched two further calls: Open Call – Compliance, Innovation & Regulatory Advancement and Open Call 3: Mutual Assistance & Cyber Collaboration Among Member States. All calls follow the same timeline and share a common application deadline.
Why Apply to the ScaleDem Piloting Programme?
- Up to €200,000 in funding per proposal
- 8-month implementation period
- Integrate with CyberSynchrony’s technical modules and platform
- Collaboration with European cybersecurity actors
- Visibility through dissemination activities (e.g., demo video and final results report)
- Opportunities to pilot innovations in real-world cybersecurity settings
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- SMEs specialising in cybersecurity infrastructure
- Public entities (e.g., regulators, CERTs, public hospitals, universities)
- Independent professionals with relevant sector expertise
- Applicants must be established in eligible countries under the Digital Europe Programme
How to Apply to the ScaleDem Piloting Programme?
Applications must be submitted via the official platform. Registration is required. Only proposals submitted through this platform before the deadline will be accepted.
Proposal Requirements
- Completed technical proposal (max 10 pages)
- Annex 2- Declaration of Honour SME form (mandatory)
- Annex 3- SME Self-Declaration form (mandatory)
- Annex 5- Open Call Declaration of Honour – Consortium agreement (mandatory for consortia)
- Letters of support (optional)
Evaluation & Selection Process
Proposals will be evaluated by two independent external evaluators against four criteria, each scored from 0 to 5, with a minimum score of 3 required per criterion. The maximum total score is 20 points.
Evaluation criteria:
Relevance and excellence
Methodological soundness
Ambition and impact
Implementation / team skills and expertise
In case of a tie, priority will be given based on innovation, alignment with CyberSynchrony, funding request, gender balance and geographic footprint.
Programme Implementation and Financial Distribution
Each selected project will have a fixed implementation period of 8 months, starting after the signing of the sub-grant agreement. Funding will be provided as a lump sum, linked to the delivery of agreed outputs.
Payment structure:
Prefinancing: 30% within 1 month of signing
Interim payment: up to 40% upon achievement of mid-term deliverables (M5)
Final payment: remaining amount after project completion (M9)
For consortium proposals, funds are transferred to the coordinator SME, responsible for distribution among partners.
Beneficiaries must submit all deliverables, including a demo video and final results report, which are required to unlock the final payment.
Important Dates
- Submission Deadline: 01/03/2026 – 17:00 (CET)
- Results announcement: 31/04/2026
- Contract signature by 30/05/2026
- Project start date: 01/06/2026
- Project finish date: 30/01/2027
Final Thoughts
CYberSynchrony’s first open call presents a valuable opportunity for cybersecurity innovators to contribute concrete solutions to critical infrastructure challenges across Europe. With a clear scope and targeted funding, this call is ideal for SMEs, public bodies, and individual experts working on resilience and operational readiness in the NIS2 sectors.
If your solution focuses more on regulatory advancement or international cyber cooperation, be sure to explore the two additional open calls available under the same timeline. Visit the project website to learn more and find the best fit for your expertise and innovation.
More Information
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