Cybersecurity: €12 million from the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) for 38 projects proposed by universities and research organisations

More training, greater international academic and professional mobility, and new infrastructure. These are some of the key measures for tackling the challenges posed by cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. A total of 38 projects will be funded by the Ministry of Universities and Research to strengthen skills in the fields of cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. The total funding amounts to 12 million euros. The list of universities and research bodies eligible to receive the funding is available from today on the MUR portal.

This funding forms part of the 2022–2026 National Cybersecurity Strategy and the National Implementation Plan for the European NIS2 Directive, the legislation that introduces advanced cybersecurity and risk management standards for public and private organisations. The aim is to strengthen the capacity of the university and research sector to address the challenges of digital security, cyber resilience and the responsible use of emerging technologies, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence.

The 61 projects submitted by universities and research organisations have exceeded expectations. The Ministry of University and Research (MUR) had published a call for proposals last June. There are two planned areas of intervention. The first is dedicated to ‘Promoting international mobility’ and has a budget of 8 million euros; whilst the second is dedicated to ‘Digital Guardians’ (4 million euros).
For the first area, 18 projects have been approved for funding. They aim to support academic and professional mobility programmes, advanced training courses, international exchange and collaboration activities, and initiatives to strengthen the digital infrastructure and cyber security of universities and research organisations.
Twenty projects have been selected under the second strand. These are dedicated to the training of university students, with the aim of strengthening their skills in cyber security, the prevention of cyber risks, digital literacy and the responsible use of new technologies.