Call for proposals under the Challenge program - Stage 2: Full application (shortlisted applicants only)
Call reference number: DIGIT.2.1.02
Funding source: DIGIT Project
Type of call: Temporary open – two stage submission (Concept note and Full application stage)
Status: Open
Publication date: 18 September 2025, 11:00
Start date for project application submission (Stage 2: Full application): 18 September 2025, 11:00
Deadline for project application submission (Stage 2: Full application): 11 November 2025, 14:00
Responsible authority: Ministry of Science, Education and Youth
Subject of this call:
The subject of the call is to support innovative project proposals from consortia that address specific challenges related to digital transformation and green transition. The goal is to develop solutions that have transformative potential, aiming to foster Croatia’s digital future and transition to a climate-resilient, environmentally sustainable economy. The call targets large-scale, mission-driven projects designed to stimulate industrial efficiency, competitiveness, and cross-sectoral technological collaboration.
Total grant funding available: €15,332,619.85
Minimum grant amount: €2,000,000.00
Maximum grant amount: €4,000,000.00
Eligible applicants for this call: Shortlisted applicants
Announcement (18 September 2025): Full application stage opened under the Challenge Call (DIGIT.2.1.02)
Shortlisted applicants under the Challenge Call (DIGIT.2.1.02) are invited to submit their project proposals as part of the second application stage – Full application.
The relevant documentation required for submission includes the following:
- Guidelines for Applicants – 2nd revision
- Annex I. Conditions for the preparation and implementation of projects – 2nd revision
- Annex V. Indicative content of the baseline survey
- Annex VI. Full application form – 2nd revision
- Annex VII. Environmental and social screening questionnaire
- Annex VIII. Minimum content requirements for the Partnership agreement
- Annex IX. Group statement – 1st revision
- Annex X. State aid request
- Annex XI. Declaration by the Applicant on participation in the Full application stage
- Annex XII. Declaration by the Partner on participation in the Full application stage
- Annex XIII. Curriculum Vitae
All changes in the following documents: Guidelines for Applicants – 2nd revision, Annex I. Conditions for the preparation and implementation of projects – 2nd revision, and Annex VI. Full application form – 2nd revision are clearly marked as follows:
- New or modified text is highlighted green,
- Text to be removed is highlighted green with strikethrough formatting.
Applications must be submitted through the eDIGIT platform.
Announcement (October 13, 2025): Publication of Annex IX. Group statement – 2nd revision
The following document has been amended and is now in force:
The previous version is no longer valid and must not be used. Applicants and partners must use the updated Annex IX. when preparing and submitting their Full Application project proposals.
Announcement (20 October 2025)
We inform all shortlisted applicants under the Challenge Call (DIGIT.2.1.02) that responses to all relevant questions received by 27 October 2025 will be published in the FAQ section on the official Call webpage no later than 31 October 2025.
Questions submitted after 27 October 2025 will not be subject to further clarification.
Announcement (4 November 2025): Extension of the deadline
The Ministry of Science, Education and Youth informs all shortlisted applicants that the deadline for the submission of project proposals under the Call for proposals under the Challenge program – Stage 2: Full application has been extended (DIGIT.2.1.02) to 11 November 2025.
Following this extension, the Guidelines for Applicants have also been updated in the Section 13. Timetable and deadlines.
Changes are clearly marked as follows: new deadline is highlighted in green, while the deadline that is no longer valid is highlighted in green with strikethrough formatting.
The following document has been amended:
Announcement (10 February 2026): Updates to the Guidelines for Applicants and Annex I.
The Guidelines for Applicants and Annex I. have been updated to reflect the increase in the Call allocation and the maximum amount of advance payment that may be requested.
The changes are presented as follows: new or updated text is highlighted green, while text that is no longer valid is highlighted green with strikethrough formatting.
The following document has been amended: