The EU-funded project SECURE – Strengthening EU SMEs Cyber Resilience, in which the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium is a consortium partner, will launch its first open call for proposals on 28 January 2026. The call provides targeted financial support to help small and medium-sized enterprises prepare for compliance with the Cyber Resilience Act and strengthen the cybersecurity of their products.
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), which entered into force in late 2024 and will require full compliance from2027 onwards, introduces binding cybersecurity requirements covering the entire lifecycle of products with digital elements. For many SMEs, translating these legal requirements into practical actions remains a challenge.
To address this, the first SECURE Open Call makes €5 million available in funding for European SMEs, with grants of up to €30,000 per project. The call offers a concrete opportunity for SMEs to access EU funding for practical, CRA-oriented cybersecurity improvements, combined with guidance and tools tailored to their needs.
Scope of the Call
The call is open to European SMEs acting as manufacturers, importers, distributors, or software developers of products with digital elements within the scope of the CRA. Funded projects must focus on concrete actions that support CRA compliance.
- Call opening: 28 January 2026
- Call deadline: 29 March 2026
- Funding per project: up to €30,000 (50% co-financing)
A Call designed specifically for SMEs
This funding call follows a simplified and SME-friendly application process. The entire submission process – from registration and evaluation to project implementation – is carried out via the online SECURE platform, which opens on January 28th.
Detailed information on eligibility requirements, the application process and evaluation criteria is provided in the Open Call Application Guidelines, the Proposal Budget Guidelines and the documentation describing the CRA Scope and Eligible Activities, Services and Goods, all available on the SECURE website.
In addition to financial support, SECURE provides SMEs with access to a growing set of tools, guidelines and reference materials designed to support compliance with the CRA. In particular, three CRA-compliance guidelines have been produced by the CCB. These guidelines are intended to help SMEs take their first concrete steps towards compliance.
SECURE Info Day
On January 19th, SECURE organized an online Info Day webinar, during which SMEs could learn more about the eligibility criteria and application process. The presentation slides from this webinar are available online. Another informative online session will be organized in connection with the Call.
For more information about the next webinar or the project in general, visit the SECURE web page or stay up to date via SECURE’s LinkedIn channel.