SECURE: First Open Call on Cybersecurity for SMEs

SECURE – Strengthening EU SMEs Cyber Resilience Project is a three-year Project that started in January 2025, funded by the European Union under the Digital Europe Programme.

The purpose of SECURE is to reinforce the cybersecurity resilience of European micro, small and medium sized enterprises (mSMEs) by helping them comply with the requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) through the launch of Open Calls.

Over the course of the Project, the Consortium will launch a series of Open Calls through which cascade funding will be distributed to mSMEs across the European Union.

The first SECURE Open Call opens on 28 January; applications may be submitted until 29 March 2026.

These calls are designed to co-finance concrete Projects aimed at improving CRA compliance, strengthening cybersecurity practices, and promoting a harmonised approach to resilience throughout the EU.

Given the pivotal role of SMEs in the EU’s economy and their vulnerabilities, targeted support is crucial for their CRA compliance and overall resilience.

Challenges for MSMEs include limited cybersecurity expertise and resources, making them prime targets for cyber threats, particularly as part of essential service and product providers’ supply chains or when serving a broad audience.

First Secure Open Call Key Information

• Total budget = €5,000,000,
• Maximum funding = €30,000 per project,
• Cofinancing rate = 50% (cost cap = € 60.000),
• Maximum eligible Project Cost = No limit. If total eligible costs > €60,000, contribution will still be capped at €30,000.
• All documentation available here.

How to apply

• Get info: all documentation available here
• Register: create an SECURE account
• Submission: submit your application through the SECURE platform.

Access to the platform for subscriptions and for submitting your proposal will open on the day of the launch of the first SECURE Call.