Call for Expression of Interest by DG CONNECT: Participate in Digital Research and Innovation for the EU

DG CONNECT (Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology) has launched a call for expression of interest aimed at experts and stakeholders in the digital sector to support the development of research and innovation in critical digital technologies. The call aims to assemble a group of 50 to 80 specialized experts, who will play a key role in developing the strategic roadmap for the European Union’s (EU) digital investments.

Objective of the Call and Selection Criteria

The main goal is to gather a group of experts with in-depth expertise in specific digital technologies, an understanding of digital research issues, and the EU industrial ecosystem, as well as a solid knowledge of the EU's competitiveness in the field of strategic technologies. The selection criteria will be based on these skills and experiences, ensuring adequate representation across key areas of the digital sector.

Stakeholder Consultation

For those who wish to participate but do not fully meet the selection criteria, a stakeholder consultation program will be launched. In February 2025, large-scale interviews, as well as online and hybrid workshops, will be organized. These activities will allow a wide range of stakeholders to share their ideas and perspectives, contributing to the development of a robust European digital strategy.

European Commission Studies

The selected experts will participate in two important studies led by the European Commission:

1. Study on the Deployment of Critical Digital Capacities for the EU Beyond 2027: This study will focus on preparing and developing the strategic digital capacities needed for the EU's future.
2. Study on Research, Development, and Innovation in Strategic Digital Technologies: This analysis will cover emerging technologies and their crucial role in EU competitiveness in the coming years.

Consultation Processes: How to Share Your Ideas

Three types of processes will be used to allow participants to contribute:

• A discussion group at the end of February 2025: This group will discuss the list of critical and emerging strategic technologies and capacities for the EU’s digital future.
• A Delphi survey (March-April 2025): This survey will collect expert opinions on the deployment of emerging and critical technologies, to identify investment priorities.
• Five foresight workshops (Spring and Autumn 2025): These workshops will focus on developing investment options for the EU’s funding programs for the period 2028-2034, to support the development of digital infrastructures and critical capacities.

Participation and Key Dates

The expression of interest is open until January 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM. If you are interested in participating in this consultation, you can respond directly to this call via the following link: DG CONNECT Call for Expression of Interest.

Conclusion: A Key Step for the EU's Digital Future

This call for expression of interest presents a unique opportunity for experts in the digital sector to actively participate in defining the European digital strategy for the coming years. Through these consultations, the European Commission seeks to identify investment priorities and structure a research and innovation framework that will enable the EU to strengthen its position as a leader in critical digital technologies.

#DGCONNECT #DigitalInnovation #EmergingTechnologies #DigitalResearch #DigitalInfrastructures #EUDigitalStrategy #StakeholderConsultation #CriticalTechnologies #DigitalTransformation