CYRESRANGE Launches Open Call for the Integration of Independent Cyber Ranges into the European Cyber Resilience Network
The Cyber Security Cluster of Excellence – CYSCOE supports the promotion of the open call launched within the European project CYRESRANGE – Cyber Ranges Resiliency Network, dedicated to integrating independent cyber ranges into a common, interoperable platform aimed at strengthening European capabilities for training, research, education, and large-scale cyber exercises.
This call is addressed both to operators of existing, operational cyber ranges seeking to integrate their infrastructures into the CYRESRANGE platform, and to users interested in leveraging the capabilities of the CYRESRANGE network for practical training, applied research, education, and advanced cybersecurity exercises.
A European Network for Training, Cooperation, and Advanced Cyber Exercises
In a context where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and where public and private organizations require real capabilities for preparedness and response, cyber ranges represent essential infrastructures for developing practical skills and validating operational procedures.
Through the CYRESRANGE platform, cyber range operators can become part of a collaborative and interoperable ecosystem, benefiting from increased visibility, shared resources, and new opportunities for cooperation, innovation, and participation in complex exercises.
At the same time, platform users can gain access to a diverse portfolio of interconnected cyber ranges, advanced training scenarios, and a community-driven environment designed to develop practical cybersecurity skills and operational experience in conditions that closely reflect the reality of current cyber threats.
Purpose of the Call
The purpose of this grant is to support independent cyber ranges through the Financial Support to Third Parties – FSTP mechanism, providing support for technical onboarding, integration, validation, and active participation in large-scale cyber exercises carried out within the CYRESRANGE project activities.
The grant supports activities that contribute to:
- integrating external infrastructures into the CYRESRANGE ecosystem;
- increasing interoperability between cyber ranges;
- operational validation of integrated capabilities;
- developing cross-range cybersecurity scenarios and exercises;
- strengthening practical training capacity at European level;
- supporting research, education, and cooperation in cybersecurity;
- testing the scalability and functionality of the network in complex operational contexts.
Who Can Apply
The call is open to organizations established within an EU Member State, including:
- academic institutions, universities, and research laboratories;
- government agencies in the fields of defense, cybersecurity, or law enforcement;
- commercial cyber range providers;
- non-profit organizations active in cybersecurity;
- private organizations with their own training facilities or on-premises cyber ranges.
This approach enables the integration of different types of expertise, infrastructure, and technological capacity, contributing to the development of a dynamic European network capable of supporting both specialist training and complex cyber defense exercises.
Benefits for Cyber Range Operators
Operators joining the CYRESRANGE platform can benefit from a European framework for cooperation and development, through which their infrastructures can be integrated into a broader ecosystem with potential use in common projects, exercises, and initiatives.
The main benefits include:
- increased visibility at European level;
- access to cooperation opportunities with other specialized organizations and infrastructures;
- participation in interconnected cyber exercises;
- technical and operational validation of their own infrastructure;
- contribution to the development of shared training and testing scenarios;
- involvement in a European ecosystem focused on innovation and cyber resilience.
Benefits for Platform Users
For users interested in training, research, education, or cyber exercises, CYRESRANGE provides access to a complex environment built around cooperation between independent cyber ranges and the use of advanced scenarios.
The platform can support:
- training of technical and operational teams;
- development of practical cybersecurity skills;
- simulation of complex attacks and incidents;
- preparation for incident response;
- applied research in cybersecurity;
- organization of large-scale cyber exercises;
- cooperation between the public, private, academic, and non-profit sectors.
The Importance of the Initiative for European Cyber Resilience
The integration of independent cyber ranges into a common platform represents an important step toward reducing the fragmentation of existing training and testing infrastructures at European level. Instead of isolated capabilities, CYRESRANGE proposes an interconnected approach in which resources, expertise, scenarios, and infrastructures can be used in a coordinated manner.
This direction is essential for strengthening European cyber resilience, as it enables the testing and development of defense capabilities in a realistic, collaborative, and scalable environment.
For CYSCOE, initiatives of this kind are highly relevant because they support exactly the type of cooperation that the European cybersecurity ecosystem needs: collaboration between organizations, exchange of expertise, practical training, interoperability, and a strong focus on operational resilience.
Call Documents
Interested organizations can consult the documents related to the call:
- Call for Proposal FSTP-CYRESRANGE
- Open Call for Independent Cyber Ranges
- Annex A – Application Form
- Annex B – Project Budget Form
These documents provide the necessary information regarding participation conditions, technical and administrative requirements, the application form, and the budget structure.
Deadline and Additional Information
The deadline for submitting applications is:
May 4th, 2026
Interested organizations can begin the onboarding process and consult the information available on the official platform:
For further details regarding the call, the following contact address can be used:
CYSCOE Encourages the Participation of Eligible Organizations
CYSCOE encourages organizations from Romania and across the European Union that operate cyber ranges, cybersecurity training infrastructures, or facilities relevant for cyber exercises and simulations to consider this opportunity.
Participation in CYRESRANGE can contribute not only to the development of their own infrastructure, but also to the consolidation of a European network of advanced capabilities needed for specialist training, procedure testing, and increased resilience against cyber threats.
By supporting this call, CYSCOE reaffirms the importance of European cooperation, practical training, and the development of interoperable cyber infrastructures capable of supporting defense, education, research, and innovation in cybersecurity.
Together, we can contribute to building a Europe that is better prepared, more connected, and more cyber resilient.
