European call for artificial intelligence and data: applications by October 30

The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy has opened the window for submitting aid applications for project proposals presented within the framework of the European Digital Europe Programme, with reference to the call DIGITAL-2026-AI-DATA-10-COMPLIANCE. The measure is published in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic, General Series no. 231 of October 5, 2026, with the official reference 26A05201. The deadline for submitting applications is set for 5:00 PM on October 30, 2026.

The decree of October 1, 2026, from the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, incorporates measure no. 2694 of September 22, 2026, adopted by the Director General for Business Incentives and the Director General for New Enabling Technologies. The text defines the terms and procedures for submitting aid applications related to the implementation of research projects aimed at developing a European initiative within the Digital Europe Programme.

The applicable regulation is that of Article 13, paragraphs 5 and 6, of Ministerial Decree no. 186485 of December 16, 2022, published in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic no. 28 of February 3, 2023. This is the regulatory framework through which the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy supports project initiatives linked to European programs.

Terms and Application Procedures

The measure sets a single deadline for the submission of applications, referring to the project proposals included in the call DIGITAL-2026-AI-DATA-10-COMPLIANCE, dedicated to the themes of artificial intelligence and data. The application must be sent by 5:00 PM on October 30, 2026.

Essential data of the call:

• Submission deadline: 5:00 PM on October 30, 2026.
• Subject: research projects for the development of a European initiative.
• Reference program: Digital Europe Programme.
• Call: DIGITAL-2026-AI-DATA-10-COMPLIANCE.
• Official decree reference: 26A05201.

The Regulatory Framework

The decree is based on Article 13, paragraphs 5 and 6, of Ministerial Decree no. 186485 of December 16, 2022, published in the Official Gazette no. 28 of February 3, 2023. On this basis, the Director General for Business Incentives and the Director General for New Enabling Technologies defined, via measure no. 2694 of September 22, 2026, the terms and procedures for accessing the aid.

The act is published in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic, General Series no. 231 of October 5, 2026, on page 21, with the reference 26A05201.

Consultation of the Full Text

Pursuant to Article 32 of Law no. 69 of June 18, 2009, the full text of the measure can be consulted from September 22, 2026 on the website of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (www.mimit.gov.it). The decree was adopted on October 1, 2026 and published in the Official Gazette on October 5, 2026.

For companies and research organizations, the useful window is therefore only a few weeks: those intending to submit a project proposal on artificial intelligence and data must complete the application by 5:00 PM on October 30, 2026, according to the procedures defined by measure no. 2694 of September 22, 2026.

Official source: Official Gazette of the Italian Republic, General Series no. 231 of October 5, 2026, decree of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy of October 1, 2026, reference 26A05201, p. 21.