Destination 3: Achieving open strategic autonomy in digital and emerging enabling technologies

This destination aims to reinforce Europe’s leadership in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, photonics and semiconductors, which are essential for economic security and global competitiveness. Building on the ambition to become an “AI Continent” and aligned with the Apply AI Strategy, it supports the consolidation of Europe’s world-class research ecosystem through initiatives such as the RAISE network of AI science labs, the development of safe and efficient frontier AI models, and the deployment of next-generation AI, robotics and autonomous systems in strategic sectors.

In parallel, the destination advances a long-term quantum strategy to strengthen Europe’s excellence in quantum computing, sensing and communication, supported by dedicated research infrastructures and standardisation activities that safeguard technological sovereignty. Continued investment in photonics and semiconductor technologies underpins both the digital and green transitions, enabling resilient value chains, advanced components and scalable innovation capacities.

Finally, foresight activities and targeted support for emerging materials and disruptive technologies ensure that Europe remains at the technological frontier, fostering a cohesive, sovereign and future-ready industrial base aligned with EU strategic priorities.

Proposals are invited against the following topic(s):

Call: DIGITAL

• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01: Apply AI: Pilot of the “Science for AI” Pillar of RAISE (“Resource for AI science in Europe”) (RIA)
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-11: EU Frontier AI Initiative: Developing frontier AI solutions that are safe and computationally efficient within Apply AI (RIA)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02: Next-Generation AI Agents for Real-World Applications in the Apply AI sectors (RIA) (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics)
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-04: Apply AI: Challenge-Driven AI Innovation Booster in Apply AI prioritised sectors (RIA) (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-19: Challenge-Driven GenAI4EU Booster in Apply AI prioritised sectors (RIA) (AI/Data/Robotics Partnership)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03: Apply AI: Next-Generation Agile and Intelligent Robotics Platforms for Industrial and Service Applications (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics) (RIA)
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-05: Apply AI: AI-Driven Robotics for Industry: Enabling System Integration and Adoption (IA) (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-08: Apply AI: Robotics for Manufacturing: Advancing Core Skills through Technical Challenges (RIA) (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-09: Advanced Local Digital Twins using AI for Early Warning and Preparedness (IA)
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-06: International cooperation in AI (IA)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-11: Grand Challenge on Quantum Sensors for Inertial Navigation
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-12: Standards for Quantum Technologies – Coordination and Support Action (CSA)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-18: Large-Scale Photonic Quantum Computing Platform Technologies (RIA)
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03: Advanced integrated photonic devices for extended features and ultra-low power consumption (RIA) (Photonics Partnership)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-14: Networking and Future Photonics Strategy (CSA) (Photonics Partnership)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-15: Strengthening the cooperation of semiconductor-intensive EU regions (CSA)
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-10: Horizon scanning and foresight in future enabling digital technologies (CSA)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-17: Fostering 2-Dimensional Materials (2DM) based emerging and enabling technologies (CSA)

Call: INDUSTRY (two stage)

• HORIZON-CL4-2026-02-DIGITAL-EMERGING-51-two-stage: AI improved advanced manufacturing and production processes in factories (RIA) (Made in Europe and AI, Data and Robotics partnerships)
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-02-DIGITAL-EMERGING-52-two-stage: New approaches for Human/AI collaboration for the workforce of the future (RIA) (Made in Europe and AI, Data and Robotics partnerships)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-02-DIGITAL-EMERGING-53-two-stage: Innovative AI methods and technologies for the process industries (RIA) (Processes4Planet and AI, Data and Robotics partnerships)

Total Budget

DIGITAL: 175 MEUR

INDUSTRY (two stage): 60 MEUR (2026) ; 30 MEUR (2027)

Deadlines

Call DIGITAL:

15.04.2026 / 18.03.2027

Call INDUSTRY (two stage):

HORIZON-CL4-2026-02-DIGITAL-EMERGING-51-two-stage & HORIZON-CL4-2026-02-DIGITAL-EMERGING-53-two-stage:  17.03.2026 (First stage), 13.10.2026 (Second stage)

HORIZON-CL4-2026-02-DIGITAL-EMERGING-52-two-stage: 02.02.2027 (First stage), 02.09.2027 (Second stage)