EU Offers Up to €30,000 Grants to Help Small Businesses Meet New Cybersecurity Rules
Brussels, Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
Small European businesses can apply for financial support starting tomorrow to comply with upcoming cybersecurity regulations that take effect in December 2027.
SECURE Project Opens Applications January 28
The European Union’s SECURE project will begin accepting applications on January 28, 2026, offering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) co-funding of up to €30,000 maximum per company to strengthen cybersecurity in their hardware and software products [1]. This financial support aims to help businesses achieve compliance with the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), which will start applying on December 11, 2027 [1]. Companies have a two-month window to submit their funding requests, with the application period running from January 28 to March 29, 2026 [1].
Italian Coordination and Seven-Nation Partnership
The SECURE project operates under the coordination of Italy’s National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, known as Agenzia per la Cybersicurezza Nazionale (ACN), and brings together partners from seven different EU Member States [1][2]. The initiative receives funding through the European Union’s Digital Europe Programme, which is managed by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) [1][2]. This multi-national approach ensures comprehensive support across the European market while leveraging cybersecurity expertise from multiple jurisdictions.
Addressing Critical Compliance Challenges
The Cyber Resilience Act introduces mandatory cybersecurity requirements for manufacturers, covering the entire product lifecycle from planning and design through development and maintenance [1]. Many small and medium-sized enterprises face significant challenges in understanding the scope, obligations, and implementation timelines of these new requirements [4]. The SECURE project addresses these challenges by providing not only financial support but also practical tools and expert guidance to help organizations move toward CRA compliance in a structured and achievable manner [4].
Comprehensive Support Beyond Funding
Beyond the financial assistance, the SECURE project supports SMEs through multiple practical mechanisms including conducting gap analyses against CRA requirements, assessing whether products fall within the scope of the CRA, and mapping existing security processes to identify gaps [4]. The program also helps companies implement vulnerability management practices, create Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) and related documentation, and provides team training to start compliance activities early [4]. This holistic approach ensures that smaller businesses receive both the financial resources and technical expertise needed to navigate the complex regulatory landscape successfully.