Press Release

05/07/2026

State Bolsters Digital Innovation Hubs

Baden-Württemberg promotes Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity

Research Focus: Applied Artificial Intelligence

The state is providing 720,000 euros in funding to each of the two European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in Baden-Württemberg, thereby supporting Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Tourism is providing three years of funding to the two European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in Baden-Württemberg, each receiving 720,000 euros. The two consortia “EDIH Artificial Intelligence & CyberSecurity” (EDIH AICS), led by the FZI Research Center for Information Technology in Karlsruhe, and the “EDIH Südwest” led by Hahn-Schickard from Villingen-Schwenningen, successfully applied for the second funding period in the European Commission’s call for proposals.

1.4 million euros for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity

“The fact that both EDIHs in Baden-Württemberg have once again held their own in the European competition sends a strong signal about our state’s innovative strength,” said Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Labor and Tourism. “Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular need reliable partners to implement Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity more quickly, securely, and in a practical manner. That is exactly what our innovation centers stand for.”

The EDIHs will build on the insights gained during the first funding period, expand the network, and also place greater emphasis on the topic of secure Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well as test environments. This is intended to enable SMEs and, in particular, public institutions to test digital and AI-based solutions even more effectively on an individual basis and with low risk, supported by expert guidance. This initiative is supported by existing access to European networks, infrastructures, and other EDIHs. This makes the EDIHs in Baden-Württemberg a key component of the region’s innovation ecosystem.

EDIH Südwest

EDIH Südwest covers the entire value chain of intelligent AI systems: from chip development and production to AI software, its application in end products, and the development of new, data-driven digital services. The industry focus areas of healthcare/life sciences, automotive/mobility, and the manufacturing industry remain unchanged. SMEs often continue to face major challenges in digitalization, particularly in the practical implementation of AI and cybersecurity. In addition to resilient intelligent systems, EDIH Southwest is therefore placing an even greater focus on AI-related offerings. The offerings range from basic introductory opportunities to the focus areas of “Green AI” and “High-Performance Computing for AI.” The ten core partners of EDIH Southwest are:

Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft für angewandte Forschung e.V. (consortium leader),
BadenCampus GmbH & Co. KG,
bwcon GmbH,
cyberLAGO e.V.,
Furtwangen University,
Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research, Institute for Physical Measurement Technology,
MedicalMountains GmbH,
Project Partner Upper Rhine – Society for Project Development,
Sicos BW GmbH, and
St. Georgener Technology Center.

EDIH AICS

The EDIH AICS has established numerous services for SMEs and public institutions in the four focus areas of manufacturing, mobility, energy, trade & services, and administration/local government during the first funding phase. At the same time, it became clear that significant hurdles remain within the innovation ecosystem—particularly concerns regarding the implementation of AI legislation, data security, and the protection of AI systems. These can hinder the adoption of AI technologies. The goal of EDIH-AICS 2.0 is to establish itself as a dynamic and networked center of excellence for trustworthy and secure AI and digital services. The center’s core mission is to support SMEs, mid-sized companies, and public institutions in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and Europe in achieving a responsible and sustainable digital transformation, thereby strengthening innovation capacity, digital sovereignty, and sustainability through the expertise of nine experienced partners, a broad service portfolio tailored to varying levels of digital maturity, and strong regional and European networking. The nine core partners of EDIH AICS are:

FZI Research Center for Information Technology (consortium leader),
Steinbeis 2i GmbH,
DIZ | Digital Innovation Center GmbH,
CyberForum e.V.,
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT),
Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation (IOSB),
Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences,
Karlsruhe TechnologyRegion GmbH, and
CAS Software AG.

European Digital Innovation Hub Network

In an initial funding round, the European Commission used funds from the program “Digitales Europa”, a Europe-wide network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) has been established to promote the structural competitiveness of European companies, with a focus on SMEs. The focus is primarily on growth areas such as AI, high-performance computing, and Cybersecurity. The EDIHs are also intended to support the digitalization of the public sector. The European Digital Innovation Hubs serve as both local and Europe-wide networked contact points. Within the framework of the “AI Continent Action Plan,” the European Commission views the EDIHs as a link between the key players in the AI ecosystem and as centers of expertise for AI that provide support in the application of sector-specific AI solutions. On April 3, 2025, the EU Commission published the EDIH 2.0 call for proposals, allowing existing EDIHs to reapply for a three-year term (2026–2029). According to the EU Commission, there are currently 17 EDIHs in Germany and a total of 227 EDIHs in Europe, 151 of which are funded by the EU. Both consortium leaders are also part of the Innovation Alliance Baden-Württemberg (innBW).