Go Back
Description
Expected Outcome
Scope
Partner Requests
Contact
Related Fundings
Add to favorites:
Share:

Sectoral digital skills academies: Digital Skills Academy in GenAI

Description

While European AI start-ups, key industrial players and public authorities acknowledge the transformative potential of GenAI, most of these large AI models are currently built outside of the European Union, where companies have easier access to high amounts of computing power, large datasets, and the skills needed to develop and train the underlying algorithms. Furthermore, most EU professionals are still not familiar with the use and impact of this technology in their work environment. Understanding and adopting AI and GenAI technologies is of paramount importance for achieving the digital transformation across the EU.

The AI Skills Academy will contribute to the objectives of the AI Innovation package launched in January 2024 and support the upcoming Apply AI Strategy part of the Political Guidelines of the President of the European Commission. It will empower undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students, as well as current and future sector and ICT specialists in SMEs, startups, and the public sector with basic and advanced skills for developing, deploying and applying AI models and applications in their field. The academy will work in close coordination with and further support the work of the AI Factories. The AI Factories initiative will deploy an AI-focused, tailor-made supercomputing service infrastructure aimed at further developing the innovation capabilities and skills of the AI ecosystem.

Submission Deadlines

  • Opening Date for Submissions: 15 April 2025

  • Submission Deadline: 2 September 2025, 17:00

Applicants must provide a detailed project description, including objectives, methodology, expected impact, and a comprehensive budget breakdown.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants: Legal entities (public or private bodies) established in:

  • EU Member States (including outermost regions)
  • Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)
  • Countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme

Consortium composition:

  • Minimum: 3 independent legal entities from 3 different eligible countries
  • At least 1 must be established in an EU Member State
  • Strong recommendation to include:
    • At least three degree-awarding higher education institutions from three different eligible countries
    • Two industry partners from eligible countries
    • One higher education institution or RTO from a widening country

Expected Outcome

Deliverables

  • Comprehensive academic curricula designed across different levels and for different target groups, implemented at European level (curricula encompass complete academic programmes or consist of smaller modules to be injected into larger programmes).
  • Modular short-term training curricula for sector specialists designed and piloted trough relevant training courses at regional or local levels, including targeted training for SMEs and public sector.
  • Partnerships and collaboration frameworks established between academia, industry (including SMEs) and research institutions to facilitate and promote the large-scale European-wide roll-out of the academic programmes and short-term trainings. Facilitated joint (practical) educational initiatives and events with industry and research institutions, such as on-the-job experiences in companies’ premises, and laboratories, mentorship schemes, internship programmes, summer schools, bootcamps, visits to facilities, career days.
  • Support, integration, and visibility schemes implemented, with particular attention aimed at the participation of female students and female professionals in education and training activities, as well as talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities.
  • Training initiatives addressing teaching staff, such as “Teach-the-teacher” training modules targeted at university, VET and secondary-education teachers.
  • Different communication and awareness-raising activities carried out, e.g. through social media, including career orientation activities or “technology deep dive sessions” targeted at secondary education students and the general public.
  • A dedicated landing page integrated in the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform, where all activities, events and initiatives of the academy are disseminated.
  • Reports on the impact of the academies’ activities, based on a KPI assessment scheme, and recommendations for policy and investments.
  • Additional deliverables specific to individual academies’ activities.

Scope

The AI Skills Academy will set up a one-stop-shop for a range of activities supporting or developing educational and training schemes in two main focus areas: (1) skills related to the AI Factories facilities, complementing the work of the EuroHPC Virtual Training Academy, and (2) skills for the uptake and deployment of AI and, in particular, GenAI in key economic sectors.

Under the two above focus areas, the academy will develop and implement learning modules and short-term trainings on AI foundation model development but also AI inference processes, data science, AI and GenAI deployment and the use of supercomputers for AI that can be integrated into academic curricula at various levels and for various target groups. The academy could conduct additional activities on educating the general public on how to use AI and in particular GenAI technologies safely and responsibly1.

The academy will cooperate with existing initiatives, among others, the AI-on-Demand Platform, the Networks of Excellence in AI, the European Digital Innovation Hubs, and all the EuroHPC Factories, including for the use of their services and facilities for the proposed training activities.

Partner Requests

Explore Real Collaboration Opportunities

🔍 As a logged-in member, you now have exclusive access to all active Partner Requests for this Funding Call.
See who’s looking for collaborators, explore exciting project ideas, and discover how others are planning to make an impact.

💡 Use these insights to get inspired—or take the next step and start a request of your own (available to premium members only).

Log in or registrate here for free.

Create a Partner Request for this Funding Call!

🔒 Unlock the full power of our Partner Request Tool—connect directly with potential collaborators, send tailored requests, and boost your chances of success through strategic partnerships. This exclusive feature is only available to our premium members.

Upgrade to Premium now and start building valuable connections today! Already a premium member? Log in here to access your requests.

Ask our experts about this call

Connect with the Listing Owner!

💬 Please log in now to send a direct message to our experts and ask your questions. Not a member yet? Sign up for free and start connecting today!

Related Funding and Finance Opportunities

Unlock Exclusive Funding Opportunities!

🔑 Get instant access to tailored funding opportunities that perfectly match your needs. This powerful feature is exclusively available to our premium members—helping you save time, stay ahead of the competition, and secure the right funding faster.

Upgrade to Premium now and never miss an important opportunity again! Already a premium member? Log in here to explore your matches.

Related Innovation Offers

Discover Tailored Innovation Offers!

🚀 Gain access to technology solutions that match your specific needs and interests—carefully selected to support your innovation goals. These offers are exclusively available to our premium members, helping you identify relevant technologies faster and start the right conversations with potential partners.

Upgrade to Premium now and explore your personalized technology matches today! Already a premium member? Log in here to view your tailored offers.