diff --git a/cmake/OpenCVUtils.cmake b/cmake/OpenCVUtils.cmake
index 579c5ce54c..3a81ada6ae 100644
--- a/cmake/OpenCVUtils.cmake
+++ b/cmake/OpenCVUtils.cmake
@@ -1094,6 +1094,18 @@ macro(ocv_list_filterout lst regex)
   endforeach()
 endmacro()
 
+# Usage: ocv_list_filterout_ex(list_name regex1 regex2 ...)
+macro(ocv_list_filterout_ex lst)
+  foreach(regex ${ARGN})
+    foreach(item ${${lst}})
+      if(item MATCHES "${regex}")
+        list(REMOVE_ITEM ${lst} "${item}")
+      endif()
+    endforeach()
+  endforeach()
+endmacro()
+
+
 # filter matching elements from the list
 macro(ocv_list_filter lst regex)
   set(dst ${ARGN})
diff --git a/modules/core/include/opencv2/core/utils/filesystem.hpp b/modules/core/include/opencv2/core/utils/filesystem.hpp
index a98d2202fc..8619ae4d1a 100644
--- a/modules/core/include/opencv2/core/utils/filesystem.hpp
+++ b/modules/core/include/opencv2/core/utils/filesystem.hpp
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ CV_EXPORTS void glob_relative(const cv::String& directory, const cv::String& pat
 CV_EXPORTS bool createDirectory(const cv::String& path);
 CV_EXPORTS bool createDirectories(const cv::String& path);
 
-#ifdef __OPENCV_BUILD
+#if defined(__OPENCV_BUILD) || defined(BUILD_PLUGIN)
 // TODO
 //CV_EXPORTS cv::String getTempDirectory();
 
diff --git a/modules/dnn/CMakeLists.txt b/modules/dnn/CMakeLists.txt
index e0773d5214..ffa7b57663 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/modules/dnn/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,18 +13,22 @@ ocv_add_dispatched_file_force_all("int8layers/layers_common" AVX2 AVX512_SKX)
 
 ocv_add_module(dnn opencv_core opencv_imgproc WRAP python java objc js)
 
+
+include(${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/cmake/plugin.cmake)
+
+
 ocv_option(OPENCV_DNN_OPENCL "Build with OpenCL support" HAVE_OPENCL AND NOT APPLE)
 
 if(OPENCV_DNN_OPENCL AND HAVE_OPENCL)
-  add_definitions(-DCV_OCL4DNN=1)
+  ocv_target_compile_definitions(${the_module} PRIVATE "CV_OCL4DNN=1")
 endif()
 
 if(WITH_WEBNN AND HAVE_WEBNN)
-  add_definitions(-DHAVE_WEBNN=1)
+  ocv_target_compile_definitions(${the_module} PRIVATE "HAVE_WEBNN=1")
 endif()
 
 if(HAVE_TIMVX)
-  add_definitions(-DHAVE_TIMVX=1)
+  ocv_target_compile_definitions(${the_module} PRIVATE "HAVE_TIMVX=1")
 endif()
 
 ocv_option(OPENCV_DNN_CUDA "Build with CUDA support"
@@ -35,7 +39,7 @@ ocv_option(OPENCV_DNN_CUDA "Build with CUDA support"
 
 if(OPENCV_DNN_CUDA)
   if(HAVE_CUDA AND HAVE_CUBLAS AND HAVE_CUDNN)
-    add_definitions(-DCV_CUDA4DNN=1)
+    ocv_target_compile_definitions(${the_module} PRIVATE "CV_CUDA4DNN=1")
   else()
     if(NOT HAVE_CUDA)
       message(SEND_ERROR "DNN: CUDA backend requires CUDA Toolkit. Please resolve dependency or disable OPENCV_DNN_CUDA=OFF")
@@ -47,12 +51,15 @@ if(OPENCV_DNN_CUDA)
   endif()
 endif()
 
+
 ocv_cmake_hook_append(INIT_MODULE_SOURCES_opencv_dnn "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/cmake/hooks/INIT_MODULE_SOURCES_opencv_dnn.cmake")
 
+
 if(HAVE_TENGINE)
-  add_definitions(-DHAVE_TENGINE=1)
+  ocv_target_compile_definitions(${the_module} PRIVATE "HAVE_TENGINE=1")
 endif()
 
+
 if(MSVC)
   add_definitions( -D_CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS=1 )
   ocv_warnings_disable(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS /wd4244 /wd4267 /wd4018 /wd4355 /wd4800 /wd4251 /wd4996 /wd4146
@@ -87,10 +94,10 @@ if(ANDROID)
 endif()
 
 if(NOT BUILD_PROTOBUF)
-  add_definitions(-DOPENCV_DNN_EXTERNAL_PROTOBUF=1)
+  ocv_target_compile_definitions(${the_module} PRIVATE "OPENCV_DNN_EXTERNAL_PROTOBUF=1")
 endif()
 
-add_definitions(-DHAVE_PROTOBUF=1)
+ocv_target_compile_definitions(${the_module} PRIVATE "HAVE_PROTOBUF=1")
 
 #suppress warnings in autogenerated caffe.pb.* files
 ocv_warnings_disable(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS
@@ -175,12 +182,34 @@ endif()
 
 set(dnn_runtime_libs "")
 
+file(GLOB_RECURSE dnn_srcs
+     "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/*.cpp"
+)
+file(GLOB_RECURSE dnn_int_hdrs
+     "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/*.hpp"
+     "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/*.h"
+)
+set(dnn_plugin_srcs ${dnn_srcs} ${dnn_int_hdrs})
+ocv_list_filterout_ex(dnn_plugin_srcs
+    "/src/dnn.cpp$|/src/dnn_utils.cpp$|/src/dnn_utils.cpp$|/src/dnn_read.cpp$|/src/registry.cpp$|/src/backend.cpp$"
+    # importers
+    "/src/(caffe|darknet|onnx|tensorflow|torch)/"
+    # executors
+    "/src/(cuda|cuda4dnn|ocl4dnn|vkcom|webnn)/"
+)
+
 ocv_option(OPENCV_DNN_OPENVINO "Build with OpenVINO support (2021.4+)" (TARGET ocv.3rdparty.openvino))
 if(TARGET ocv.3rdparty.openvino AND OPENCV_DNN_OPENVINO)
   if(NOT HAVE_OPENVINO AND NOT HAVE_NGRAPH)
     message(FATAL_ERROR "DNN: Inference Engine is not supported without enabled 'nGraph'. Check build configuration.")
   endif()
-  list(APPEND dnn_runtime_libs ocv.3rdparty.openvino)
+  if("openvino" IN_LIST DNN_PLUGIN_LIST OR DNN_PLUGIN_LIST STREQUAL "all")
+    # plugin doesn't support PCH, separate directory scope is necessary
+    # opencv_world requires absolute path
+    add_subdirectory("${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/misc/plugin/openvino" "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/dnn_plugin_openvino")
+  elseif(NOT OPENCV_DNN_BUILTIN_BACKEND)
+    list(APPEND dnn_runtime_libs ocv.3rdparty.openvino)
+  endif()
 endif()
 
 ocv_glob_module_sources(${sources_options} SOURCES ${fw_srcs} ${webnn_srcs})
@@ -205,7 +234,7 @@ if(BUILD_PERF_TESTS)
   )
     find_package(Caffe QUIET)
     if (Caffe_FOUND)
-      add_definitions(-DHAVE_CAFFE=1)
+      ocv_target_compile_definitions(opencv_perf_dnn PRIVATE "HAVE_CAFFE=1")
       ocv_target_link_libraries(opencv_perf_dnn caffe)
     endif()
   elseif(OPENCV_DNN_PERF_CLCAFFE
@@ -213,8 +242,25 @@ if(BUILD_PERF_TESTS)
   )
     find_package(Caffe QUIET)
     if (Caffe_FOUND)
-      add_definitions(-DHAVE_CLCAFFE=1)
+      ocv_target_compile_definitions(opencv_perf_dnn PRIVATE "HAVE_CLCAFFE=1")
       ocv_target_link_libraries(opencv_perf_dnn caffe)
     endif()
   endif()
 endif()
+
+if(DNN_ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+  ocv_target_compile_definitions(${the_module} PRIVATE ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+  if(TARGET opencv_test_dnn)
+    ocv_target_compile_definitions(opencv_test_dnn PRIVATE ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+  endif()
+  if(OPENCV_DEBUG_POSTFIX)
+    ocv_append_source_file_compile_definitions("${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/backend.cpp" "DEBUG_POSTFIX=${OPENCV_DEBUG_POSTFIX}")
+  endif()
+endif()
+
+ocv_option(OPENCV_TEST_DNN_OPENVINO "Build test with OpenVINO code" (TARGET ocv.3rdparty.openvino))
+if(TARGET ocv.3rdparty.openvino AND OPENCV_TEST_DNN_OPENVINO)
+  if(TARGET opencv_test_dnn)
+    ocv_target_link_libraries(opencv_test_dnn ocv.3rdparty.openvino)
+  endif()
+endif()
diff --git a/modules/dnn/cmake/init.cmake b/modules/dnn/cmake/init.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f4493c53e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/dnn/cmake/init.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+if(PROJECT_NAME STREQUAL "OpenCV")
+  set(ENABLE_PLUGINS_DEFAULT ON)
+  if(EMSCRIPTEN OR IOS OR WINRT)
+    set(ENABLE_PLUGINS_DEFAULT OFF)
+  endif()
+  set(DNN_PLUGIN_LIST "" CACHE STRING "List of DNN backends to be compiled as plugins (openvino, etc or special value 'all')")
+  set(DNN_ENABLE_PLUGINS "${ENABLE_PLUGINS_DEFAULT}" CACHE BOOL "Allow building and using of DNN plugins")
+  mark_as_advanced(DNN_PLUGIN_LIST DNN_ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+
+  string(REPLACE "," ";" DNN_PLUGIN_LIST "${DNN_PLUGIN_LIST}")  # support comma-separated list (,) too
+  string(TOLOWER "${DNN_PLUGIN_LIST}" DNN_PLUGIN_LIST)
+  if(NOT DNN_ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+    if(DNN_PLUGIN_LIST)
+      message(WARNING "DNN: plugins are disabled through DNN_ENABLE_PLUGINS, so DNN_PLUGIN_LIST='${DNN_PLUGIN_LIST}' is ignored")
+      set(DNN_PLUGIN_LIST "")
+    endif()
+  else()
+    # Make virtual plugins target
+    if(NOT TARGET opencv_dnn_plugins)
+      add_custom_target(opencv_dnn_plugins ALL)
+    endif()
+  endif()
+endif()
+
+#
+# Detect available dependencies
+#
+
+# OpenVINO - detected by main CMake scripts (shared with G-API)
diff --git a/modules/dnn/cmake/plugin.cmake b/modules/dnn/cmake/plugin.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..055d21efc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/dnn/cmake/plugin.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+function(ocv_create_builtin_dnn_plugin name target)
+
+  ocv_debug_message("ocv_create_builtin_dnn_plugin(${ARGV})")
+
+  if(NOT TARGET ${target})
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "${target} does not exist!")
+  endif()
+  if(NOT OpenCV_SOURCE_DIR)
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "OpenCV_SOURCE_DIR must be set to build the plugin!")
+  endif()
+
+  message(STATUS "DNN: add builtin plugin '${name}'")
+
+  set(ENABLE_PRECOMPILED_HEADERS OFF)  # no support for PCH in plugins, conflicts with module's source files
+
+  # TODO: update CPU optimizations scripts to support plugins
+  add_definitions(-D__OPENCV_BUILD=1)
+  add_definitions(-DBUILD_PLUGIN=1)
+  include_directories("${OPENCV_MODULE_opencv_dnn_BINARY_DIR}")  # Cannot open include file: 'layers/layers_common.simd_declarations.hpp'
+
+  foreach(src ${ARGN})
+    if(EXISTS "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/${src}")
+      list(APPEND sources "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/${src}")
+    elseif(IS_ABSOLUTE "${src}")
+      list(APPEND sources "${src}")
+    else()
+      message(FATAL_ERROR "Unknown source: ${src}")
+    endif()
+  endforeach()
+
+  if(OPENCV_MODULE_${the_module}_SOURCES_DISPATCHED)
+    list(APPEND sources ${OPENCV_MODULE_${the_module}_SOURCES_DISPATCHED})
+  endif()
+
+  set(__${name}_DEPS_EXT "")
+  ocv_compiler_optimization_process_sources(sources __${name}_DEPS_EXT ${name})
+
+  add_library(${name} MODULE ${sources})
+  target_include_directories(${name} PRIVATE "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}")
+  target_link_libraries(${name} PRIVATE ${target} ${__${name}_DEPS_EXT})
+  target_link_libraries(${name} PRIVATE ${__plugin_libs})
+
+  foreach(mod opencv_dnn
+      opencv_core
+      opencv_imgproc
+      opencv_dnn
+  )
+    ocv_target_link_libraries(${name} LINK_PRIVATE ${mod})
+    ocv_target_include_directories(${name} "${OPENCV_MODULE_${mod}_LOCATION}/include")
+  endforeach()
+
+  if(WIN32)
+    set(OPENCV_PLUGIN_VERSION "${OPENCV_DLLVERSION}" CACHE STRING "")
+    if(CMAKE_CXX_SIZEOF_DATA_PTR EQUAL 8)
+      set(OPENCV_PLUGIN_ARCH "_64" CACHE STRING "")
+    else()
+      set(OPENCV_PLUGIN_ARCH "" CACHE STRING "")
+    endif()
+  else()
+    set(OPENCV_PLUGIN_VERSION "" CACHE STRING "")
+    set(OPENCV_PLUGIN_ARCH "" CACHE STRING "")
+  endif()
+
+  set_target_properties(${name} PROPERTIES
+    CXX_STANDARD 11
+    CXX_VISIBILITY_PRESET hidden
+    DEBUG_POSTFIX "${OPENCV_DEBUG_POSTFIX}"
+    OUTPUT_NAME "${name}${OPENCV_PLUGIN_VERSION}${OPENCV_PLUGIN_ARCH}"
+  )
+
+  if(WIN32)
+    set_target_properties(${name} PROPERTIES LIBRARY_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY ${EXECUTABLE_OUTPUT_PATH})
+    install(TARGETS ${name} OPTIONAL LIBRARY DESTINATION ${OPENCV_BIN_INSTALL_PATH} COMPONENT plugins)
+  else()
+    install(TARGETS ${name} OPTIONAL LIBRARY DESTINATION ${OPENCV_LIB_INSTALL_PATH} COMPONENT plugins)
+  endif()
+
+  add_dependencies(opencv_dnn_plugins ${name})
+
+endfunction()
diff --git a/modules/dnn/include/opencv2/dnn/dnn.hpp b/modules/dnn/include/opencv2/dnn/dnn.hpp
index 3382b27d8b..0f952c72be 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/include/opencv2/dnn/dnn.hpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/include/opencv2/dnn/dnn.hpp
@@ -81,9 +81,11 @@ CV__DNN_INLINE_NS_BEGIN
         DNN_BACKEND_CUDA,
         DNN_BACKEND_WEBNN,
         DNN_BACKEND_TIMVX,
-#ifdef __OPENCV_BUILD
+#if defined(__OPENCV_BUILD) || defined(BUILD_PLUGIN)
+#if !defined(OPENCV_BINDING_PARSER)
         DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH = 1000000,     // internal - use DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE + setInferenceEngineBackendType()
         DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NN_BUILDER_2019,      // internal - use DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE + setInferenceEngineBackendType()
+#endif
 #endif
     };
 
diff --git a/modules/dnn/misc/plugin/openvino/CMakeLists.txt b/modules/dnn/misc/plugin/openvino/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..398218484e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/dnn/misc/plugin/openvino/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+#include_directories("${OPENCV_MODULE_opencv_dnn_BINARY_DIR}")  # Cannot open include file: 'layers/layers_common.simd_declarations.hpp'
+ocv_create_builtin_dnn_plugin(opencv_dnn_openvino ocv.3rdparty.openvino ${dnn_plugin_srcs})
diff --git a/modules/dnn/misc/python/test/test_dnn.py b/modules/dnn/misc/python/test/test_dnn.py
index 272121ba36..82d07f402b 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/misc/python/test/test_dnn.py
+++ b/modules/dnn/misc/python/test/test_dnn.py
@@ -113,10 +113,10 @@ class dnn_test(NewOpenCVTests):
         proto = self.find_dnn_file('dnn/layers/layer_convolution.prototxt')
         model = self.find_dnn_file('dnn/layers/layer_convolution.caffemodel')
         net = cv.dnn.readNet(proto, model)
-        net.setPreferableBackend(backend)
-        net.setPreferableTarget(target)
-        inp = np.random.standard_normal([1, 2, 10, 11]).astype(np.float32)
         try:
+            net.setPreferableBackend(backend)
+            net.setPreferableTarget(target)
+            inp = np.random.standard_normal([1, 2, 10, 11]).astype(np.float32)
             net.setInput(inp)
             net.forward()
         except BaseException as e:
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/backend.cpp b/modules/dnn/src/backend.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f6c6fecdad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/backend.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+// This file is part of OpenCV project.
+// It is subject to the license terms in the LICENSE file found in the top-level directory
+// of this distribution and at http://opencv.org/license.html.
+#include "precomp.hpp"
+#include "backend.hpp"
+
+#include <opencv2/core/private.hpp>
+
+#include <opencv2/core/utils/configuration.private.hpp>
+#include <opencv2/core/utils/logger.defines.hpp>
+#ifdef NDEBUG
+#define CV_LOG_STRIP_LEVEL CV_LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG + 1
+#else
+#define CV_LOG_STRIP_LEVEL CV_LOG_LEVEL_VERBOSE + 1
+#endif
+#include <opencv2/core/utils/logger.hpp>
+
+#include "factory.hpp"
+
+#include "plugin_api.hpp"
+#include "plugin_wrapper.impl.hpp"
+
+
+namespace cv { namespace dnn_backend {
+
+NetworkBackend::~NetworkBackend()
+{
+    // nothing
+}
+
+}}  // namespace cv::dnn_backend
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/backend.hpp b/modules/dnn/src/backend.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..37cc8a3cc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/backend.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+// This file is part of OpenCV project.
+// It is subject to the license terms in the LICENSE file found in the top-level directory
+// of this distribution and at http://opencv.org/license.html.
+#ifndef OPENCV_DNN_BACKEND_HPP
+#define OPENCV_DNN_BACKEND_HPP
+
+#include <memory>
+#include <map>
+
+namespace cv { namespace dnn_backend {
+
+using namespace cv::dnn;
+
+class CV_EXPORTS NetworkBackend
+{
+public:
+    virtual ~NetworkBackend();
+
+    virtual void switchBackend(Net& net) = 0;
+
+    /**
+    @param loaderID use empty "" for auto
+    @param model see cv::dnn::readNetwork
+    @param config see cv::dnn::readNetwork
+    */
+    virtual Net readNetwork(const std::string& loaderID, const std::string& model, const std::string& config) = 0;
+
+    /** @overload */
+    virtual Net readNetwork(
+        const std::string& loaderID,
+        const uchar* bufferModelConfigPtr, size_t bufferModelConfigSize,
+        const uchar* bufferWeightsPtr, size_t bufferWeightsSize
+    ) = 0;
+
+    // TODO: target as string + configuration
+    virtual bool checkTarget(Target target) = 0;
+};
+
+
+}  // namespace dnn_backend
+}  // namespace cv
+
+#endif // OPENCV_DNN_BACKEND_HPP
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/factory.hpp b/modules/dnn/src/factory.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0d8750a8c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/factory.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+// This file is part of OpenCV project.
+// It is subject to the license terms in the LICENSE file found in the top-level directory
+// of this distribution and at http://opencv.org/license.html.
+
+#ifndef OPENCV_DNN_FACTORY_HPP
+#define OPENCV_DNN_FACTORY_HPP
+
+#include "backend.hpp"
+
+namespace cv { namespace dnn_backend {
+
+class IDNNBackendFactory
+{
+public:
+    virtual ~IDNNBackendFactory() {}
+    virtual std::shared_ptr<cv::dnn_backend::NetworkBackend> createNetworkBackend() const = 0;
+};
+
+//
+// PluginDNNBackendFactory is implemented in plugin_wrapper
+//
+
+std::shared_ptr<IDNNBackendFactory> createPluginDNNBackendFactory(const std::string& baseName);
+
+/// @brief Returns createPluginDNNBackendFactory()->createNetworkBackend()
+cv::dnn_backend::NetworkBackend& createPluginDNNNetworkBackend(const std::string& baseName);
+
+}}  // namespace
+
+#endif  // OPENCV_DNN_FACTORY_HPP
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/init.cpp b/modules/dnn/src/init.cpp
index e3ce6de40d..68d24ef5bd 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/init.cpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/init.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,9 @@
 #include "precomp.hpp"
 #include <opencv2/dnn/layer.details.hpp>
 
+#if !defined(BUILD_PLUGIN)
 #include <google/protobuf/stubs/common.h>
+#endif
 
 namespace cv {
 namespace dnn {
@@ -58,6 +60,7 @@ Mutex& getInitializationMutex()
 // force initialization (single-threaded environment)
 Mutex* __initialization_mutex_initializer = &getInitializationMutex();
 
+#if !defined(BUILD_PLUGIN)
 namespace {
 using namespace google::protobuf;
 class ProtobufShutdown {
@@ -71,12 +74,15 @@ public:
     }
 };
 } // namespace
+#endif
 
 void initializeLayerFactory()
 {
     CV_TRACE_FUNCTION();
 
+#if !defined(BUILD_PLUGIN)
     static ProtobufShutdown protobufShutdown; CV_UNUSED(protobufShutdown);
+#endif
 
     CV_DNN_REGISTER_LAYER_CLASS(Slice,          SliceLayer);
     CV_DNN_REGISTER_LAYER_CLASS(Split,          SplitLayer);
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/layer_factory.cpp b/modules/dnn/src/layer_factory.cpp
index 5c80cd09ad..e5b835143e 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/layer_factory.cpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/layer_factory.cpp
@@ -4,8 +4,6 @@
 
 #include "precomp.hpp"
 
-#include <opencv2/imgproc.hpp>
-
 #include <opencv2/dnn/layer_reg.private.hpp>  // getLayerFactoryImpl
 
 
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/layer_internals.hpp b/modules/dnn/src/layer_internals.hpp
index e805ab53bb..f19b99f260 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/layer_internals.hpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/layer_internals.hpp
@@ -96,22 +96,6 @@ struct LayerData
 
     int flag;
 
-    Ptr<Layer> getLayerInstance()
-    {
-        CV_TRACE_FUNCTION();
-        CV_TRACE_ARG_VALUE(type, "type", type.c_str());
-
-        if (layerInstance)
-            return layerInstance;
-
-        layerInstance = LayerFactory::createLayerInstance(type, params);
-        if (!layerInstance)
-        {
-            CV_Error(Error::StsError, "Can't create layer \"" + name + "\" of type \"" + type + "\"");
-        }
-
-        return layerInstance;
-    }
 
     void resetAllocation()
     {
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/net_impl.cpp b/modules/dnn/src/net_impl.cpp
index dfab6de59a..3839cba329 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/net_impl.cpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/net_impl.cpp
@@ -222,14 +222,14 @@ void Net::Impl::setUpNet(const std::vector<LayerPin>& blobsToKeep_)
 Ptr<Layer> Net::Impl::getLayer(int layerId) const
 {
     LayerData& ld = getLayerData(layerId);
-    return ld.getLayerInstance();
+    return getLayerInstance(ld);
 }
 
 
 Ptr<Layer> Net::Impl::getLayer(const LayerId& layerId) const
 {
     LayerData& ld = getLayerData(layerId);
-    return ld.getLayerInstance();
+    return getLayerInstance(ld);
 }
 
 
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ int Net::Impl::resolvePinOutputName(LayerData& ld, const String& outName) const
 {
     if (outName.empty())
         return 0;
-    return ld.getLayerInstance()->outputNameToIndex(outName);
+    return getLayerInstance(ld)->outputNameToIndex(outName);
 }
 
 
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ void Net::Impl::allocateLayer(int lid, const LayersShapesMap& layersShapes)
     for (int i = 0; i < ld.internalBlobsWrappers.size(); ++i)
         ld.internalBlobsWrappers[i] = wrap(ld.internals[i]);
 
-    Ptr<Layer> layerPtr = ld.getLayerInstance();
+    Ptr<Layer> layerPtr = getLayerInstance(ld);
     {
         std::vector<Mat> inps(ld.inputBlobs.size());
         for (int i = 0; i < ld.inputBlobs.size(); ++i)
@@ -1148,7 +1148,7 @@ void Net::Impl::getLayerShapesRecursively(int id, LayersShapesMap& inOutShapes)
     ShapesVec& os = layerShapes.out;
     ShapesVec& ints = layerShapes.internal;
     int requiredOutputs = layerData.requiredOutputs.size();
-    Ptr<Layer> l = layerData.getLayerInstance();
+    const Ptr<Layer>& l = getLayerInstance(layerData);
     CV_Assert(l);
     bool layerSupportInPlace = false;
     try
@@ -1302,7 +1302,7 @@ void Net::Impl::updateLayersShapes()
                 const MatShape& shape = layersShapes[inputLayerId].out[inputPin.oid];
                 layerShapes.in.push_back(shape);
             }
-            layerData.getLayerInstance()->updateMemoryShapes(layerShapes.in);
+            getLayerInstance(layerData)->updateMemoryShapes(layerShapes.in);
         }
         CV_LOG_DEBUG(NULL, "Layer " << layerId << ": " << toString(layerShapes.in, "input shapes"));
         CV_LOG_IF_DEBUG(NULL, !layerShapes.out.empty(), "Layer " << layerId << ": " << toString(layerShapes.out, "output shapes"));
@@ -1451,7 +1451,7 @@ void Net::Impl::setInput(InputArray blob, const String& name, double scalefactor
 Mat Net::Impl::getParam(int layer, int numParam) const
 {
     LayerData& ld = getLayerData(layer);
-    std::vector<Mat>& layerBlobs = ld.getLayerInstance()->blobs;
+    std::vector<Mat>& layerBlobs = getLayerInstance(ld)->blobs;
     CV_Assert(numParam < (int)layerBlobs.size());
     return layerBlobs[numParam];
 }
@@ -1460,7 +1460,8 @@ void Net::Impl::setParam(int layer, int numParam, const Mat& blob)
 {
     LayerData& ld = getLayerData(layer);
 
-    std::vector<Mat>& layerBlobs = ld.getLayerInstance()->blobs;
+    // FIXIT we should not modify "execution" instance
+    std::vector<Mat>& layerBlobs = getLayerInstance(ld)->blobs;
     CV_Assert(numParam < (int)layerBlobs.size());
     // we don't make strong checks, use this function carefully
     layerBlobs[numParam] = blob;
@@ -1927,7 +1928,7 @@ int64 Net::Impl::getFLOPS(const std::vector<MatShape>& netInputShapes) /*const*/
 
     for (int i = 0; i < ids.size(); i++)
     {
-        flops += layers[ids[i]].getLayerInstance()->getFLOPS(inShapes[i], outShapes[i]);
+        flops += getLayerInstance(layers[ids[i]])->getFLOPS(inShapes[i], outShapes[i]);
     }
 
     return flops;
@@ -1944,7 +1945,7 @@ int64 Net::Impl::getFLOPS(
     LayerShapes shapes;
     getLayerShapes(netInputShapes, layerId, shapes);
 
-    return const_cast<LayerData&>(layer->second).getLayerInstance()->getFLOPS(shapes.in, shapes.out);
+    return getLayerInstance(const_cast<LayerData&>(layer->second))->getFLOPS(shapes.in, shapes.out);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/net_impl.hpp b/modules/dnn/src/net_impl.hpp
index 269a46be79..290ce50c13 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/net_impl.hpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/net_impl.hpp
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ struct Net::Impl : public detail::NetImplBase
     int preferableBackend;
     int preferableTarget;
     String halideConfigFile;
-//    bool skipInfEngineInit;
     bool hasDynamicShapes;
     // Map host data to backend specific wrapper.
     std::map<void*, Ptr<BackendWrapper>> backendWrappers;
@@ -84,6 +83,32 @@ struct Net::Impl : public detail::NetImplBase
     void setUpNet(const std::vector<LayerPin>& blobsToKeep_ = std::vector<LayerPin>());
 
 
+    virtual Ptr<Layer> createLayerInstance(const LayerData& ld) const
+    {
+        return LayerFactory::createLayerInstance(ld.type, const_cast<LayerParams&>(ld.params));
+    }
+    Ptr<Layer> getLayerInstance(LayerData& ld) const
+    {
+        CV_TRACE_FUNCTION();
+        CV_TRACE_ARG_VALUE(type, "type", ld.type.c_str());
+
+        if (ld.layerInstance)
+            return ld.layerInstance;
+
+        ld.layerInstance = createLayerInstance(ld);
+        if (!ld.layerInstance && basePtr_)
+        {
+            ld.layerInstance = basePtr_->createLayerInstance(ld);
+            CV_LOG_IF_DEBUG(NULL, ld.layerInstance, "Created layer \"" + ld.name + "\" of type \"" + ld.type + "\" from upstream layers registry");
+        }
+        if (!ld.layerInstance)
+        {
+            CV_Error(Error::StsError, "Can't create layer \"" + ld.name + "\" of type \"" + ld.type + "\"");
+        }
+
+        return ld.layerInstance;
+    }
+
     Ptr<Layer> getLayer(int layerId) const;
     Ptr<Layer> getLayer(const LayerId& layerId) const;
 
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/net_impl_backend.cpp b/modules/dnn/src/net_impl_backend.cpp
index c9c61eb893..1d313c70c4 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/net_impl_backend.cpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/net_impl_backend.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@
 #include "net_impl.hpp"
 #include "legacy_backend.hpp"
 
+#include "backend.hpp"
+#include "factory.hpp"
+
 namespace cv {
 namespace dnn {
 CV__DNN_INLINE_NS_BEGIN
@@ -166,14 +169,22 @@ void Net::Impl::setPreferableBackend(Net& net, int backendId)
 
     if (preferableBackend != backendId)
     {
-        preferableBackend = backendId;
         clear();
-#ifdef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
         if (backendId == DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH)
         {
+#if defined(HAVE_INF_ENGINE)
             switchToOpenVINOBackend(net);
-        }
+#elif defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+            auto& networkBackend = dnn_backend::createPluginDNNNetworkBackend("openvino");
+            networkBackend.switchBackend(net);
+#else
+            CV_Error(Error::StsNotImplemented, "OpenVINO backend is not available in the current OpenCV build");
 #endif
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            preferableBackend = backendId;
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/net_impl_fuse.cpp b/modules/dnn/src/net_impl_fuse.cpp
index deb356f7b9..79365d0411 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/net_impl_fuse.cpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/net_impl_fuse.cpp
@@ -634,7 +634,7 @@ void Net::Impl::fuseLayers(const std::vector<LayerPin>& blobsToKeep_)
                         pin = inp_i_data->inputBlobsId[0];
                         inp_i_data = &layers[pin.lid];
                     }
-                    conv_layer = conv_layer && (inp_i_data->getLayerInstance()->type == "Convolution");
+                    conv_layer = conv_layer && (getLayerInstance(*inp_i_data)->type == "Convolution");
                 }
                 if (!conv_layer)
                     continue;
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/net_openvino.cpp b/modules/dnn/src/net_openvino.cpp
index 77186f074c..d55c26a0de 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/net_openvino.cpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/net_openvino.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@
 
 #include "net_impl.hpp"
 
+#include "backend.hpp"
+#include "factory.hpp"
+
 namespace cv {
 namespace dnn {
 CV__DNN_INLINE_NS_BEGIN
@@ -80,11 +83,12 @@ public:
         if (backendId == DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE || backendId == DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH)
             return;  // no-op
         if (!basePtr_)
-            CV_Error(Error::StsError, "DNN: Can't switch backend of network created by OpenVINO");
+            CV_Error(Error::StsError, "DNN: Can't switch backend of network created by OpenVINO native loader");
         Ptr<Net::Impl>& impl_ptr_ref = accessor::DnnNetAccessor::getImplPtrRef(net);
         impl_ptr_ref = basePtr_;
-        return basePtr_->setPreferableBackend(net, backendId);
+        basePtr_->setPreferableBackend(net, backendId);
     }
+
     void setPreferableTarget(int targetId) override
     {
         if (preferableTarget != targetId)
@@ -121,10 +125,14 @@ public:
         );
     }
 
-    //void setUpNet(const std::vector<LayerPin>& blobsToKeep_ = std::vector<LayerPin>()) override;
-
-
-    //void setInput(InputArray blob, const String& name, double scalefactor, const Scalar& mean) override;
+    Ptr<Layer> createLayerInstance(const LayerData& ld) const override
+    {
+        // try to create layer instance from backend-specific pool (e.g., plugin)
+        Ptr<Layer> instance = LayerFactory::createLayerInstance(ld.type, const_cast<LayerParams&>(ld.params));
+        if (!instance)
+            instance = Base::createLayerInstance(ld);
+        return instance;
+    }
 
     void addNgraphOutputs(LayerData& ld);
 
@@ -132,8 +140,6 @@ public:
 
     void fuseLayers(const std::vector<LayerPin>& blobsToKeep_) override;
 
-    //void allocateLayers(const std::vector<LayerPin>& blobsToKeep_) override;
-
     void forwardLayer(LayerData& ld) override;
 
     AsyncArray getBlobAsync(const LayerPin& pin) override;
@@ -176,7 +182,7 @@ void NetImplOpenVINO::forwardLayer(LayerData& ld)
 
         tm.stop();
         int64 t = tm.getTimeTicks();
-        layersTimings[ld.id] = (t > 0) ? t : t + 1;  // zero for skipped layers only
+        layersTimings[ld.id] = (t > 0) ? t : 1;  // zero for skipped layers only
     }
     else
     {
@@ -681,14 +687,14 @@ void NetImplOpenVINO::fuseLayers(const std::vector<LayerPin>& blobsToKeep_)
 void switchToOpenVINOBackend(Net& net)
 {
     CV_TRACE_FUNCTION();
-    CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN: switching to OpenVINO backend...");
     Ptr<Net::Impl>& impl_ptr_ref = accessor::DnnNetAccessor::getImplPtrRef(net);
+    CV_Assert(impl_ptr_ref);
+    CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN: switching to OpenVINO backend... (networkID=" << impl_ptr_ref->networkId << ")");
     Ptr<NetImplOpenVINO> openvino_impl_ptr = makePtr<NetImplOpenVINO>(impl_ptr_ref);
     impl_ptr_ref = openvino_impl_ptr;
 }
 
 
-
 /*static*/
 Net NetImplOpenVINO::createNetworkFromModelOptimizer(InferenceEngine::CNNNetwork& ieNet)
 {
@@ -792,23 +798,70 @@ Net NetImplOpenVINO::createNetworkFromModelOptimizer(InferenceEngine::CNNNetwork
 
     return cvNet;
 }
+
+
+static
+Net openvino_readNetwork(const String& modelPath, const String& binPath)
+{
+    FPDenormalsIgnoreHintScope fp_denormals_ignore_scope;
+
+    InferenceEngine::Core& ie = getCore("");
+    InferenceEngine::CNNNetwork ieNet;
+    try
+    {
+        ieNet = ie.ReadNetwork(modelPath, binPath);
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception& e)
+    {
+        CV_Error(Error::StsError, std::string("DNN: OpenVINO failed to read model '") + modelPath + "': " + e.what());
+    }
+
+    return NetImplOpenVINO::createNetworkFromModelOptimizer(ieNet);
+}
+
+
+static
+Net openvino_readNetwork(
+        const uchar* bufferModelConfigPtr, size_t bufferModelConfigSize,
+        const uchar* bufferWeightsPtr, size_t bufferWeightsSize
+)
+{
+    FPDenormalsIgnoreHintScope fp_denormals_ignore_scope;
+
+    InferenceEngine::Core& ie = getCore("");
+
+    std::string model; model.assign((char*)bufferModelConfigPtr, bufferModelConfigSize);
+
+    InferenceEngine::CNNNetwork ieNet;
+    try
+    {
+        InferenceEngine::TensorDesc tensorDesc(InferenceEngine::Precision::U8, { bufferWeightsSize }, InferenceEngine::Layout::C);
+        InferenceEngine::Blob::CPtr weights_blob = InferenceEngine::make_shared_blob<uint8_t>(tensorDesc, (uint8_t*)bufferWeightsPtr, bufferWeightsSize);
+
+        ieNet = ie.ReadNetwork(model, weights_blob);
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception& e)
+    {
+        CV_Error(Error::StsError, std::string("DNN: OpenVINO failed to read model: ") + e.what());
+    }
+
+    return NetImplOpenVINO::createNetworkFromModelOptimizer(ieNet);
+}
+
 #endif  // HAVE_INF_ENGINE
 
 Net Net::readFromModelOptimizer(const String& xml, const String& bin)
 {
     CV_TRACE_FUNCTION();
-#ifndef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
+#if defined(HAVE_INF_ENGINE)
+    return openvino_readNetwork(xml, bin);
+#elif defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+    auto& networkBackend = dnn_backend::createPluginDNNNetworkBackend("openvino");
+    return networkBackend.readNetwork(std::string(), xml, bin);
+#else
     CV_UNUSED(xml); CV_UNUSED(bin);
     CV_Error(Error::StsError, "Build OpenCV with Inference Engine to enable loading models from Model Optimizer.");
-#else
-
-    FPDenormalsIgnoreHintScope fp_denormals_ignore_scope;
-
-    InferenceEngine::Core& ie = getCore("");
-    InferenceEngine::CNNNetwork ieNet = ie.ReadNetwork(xml, bin);
-
-    return NetImplOpenVINO::createNetworkFromModelOptimizer(ieNet);
-#endif  // HAVE_INF_ENGINE
+#endif
 }
 
 Net Net::readFromModelOptimizer(const std::vector<uchar>& bufferModelConfig, const std::vector<uchar>& bufferWeights)
@@ -826,34 +879,112 @@ Net Net::readFromModelOptimizer(
 )
 {
     CV_TRACE_FUNCTION();
-#ifndef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
+#if defined(HAVE_INF_ENGINE)
+    return openvino_readNetwork(bufferModelConfigPtr, bufferModelConfigSize, bufferWeightsPtr, bufferWeightsSize);
+#elif defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+    auto& networkBackend = dnn_backend::createPluginDNNNetworkBackend("openvino");
+    return networkBackend.readNetwork(std::string(), bufferModelConfigPtr, bufferModelConfigSize, bufferWeightsPtr, bufferWeightsSize);
+#else
     CV_UNUSED(bufferModelConfigPtr); CV_UNUSED(bufferWeightsPtr);
     CV_UNUSED(bufferModelConfigSize); CV_UNUSED(bufferModelConfigSize);
     CV_Error(Error::StsError, "Build OpenCV with Inference Engine to enable loading models from Model Optimizer.");
-#else
-
-    FPDenormalsIgnoreHintScope fp_denormals_ignore_scope;
-
-    InferenceEngine::Core& ie = getCore("");
-
-    std::string model; model.assign((char*)bufferModelConfigPtr, bufferModelConfigSize);
-
-    InferenceEngine::CNNNetwork ieNet;
-    try
-    {
-        InferenceEngine::TensorDesc tensorDesc(InferenceEngine::Precision::U8, { bufferWeightsSize }, InferenceEngine::Layout::C);
-        InferenceEngine::Blob::CPtr weights_blob = InferenceEngine::make_shared_blob<uint8_t>(tensorDesc, (uint8_t*)bufferWeightsPtr, bufferWeightsSize);
-
-        ieNet = ie.ReadNetwork(model, weights_blob);
-    }
-    catch (const std::exception& e)
-    {
-        CV_Error(Error::StsError, std::string("DNN: IE failed to load model: ") + e.what());
-    }
-
-    return NetImplOpenVINO::createNetworkFromModelOptimizer(ieNet);
-#endif  // HAVE_INF_ENGINE
+#endif
 }
 
+
 CV__DNN_INLINE_NS_END
 }}  // namespace cv::dnn
+
+
+
+#ifdef BUILD_PLUGIN
+
+#define ABI_VERSION 0
+#define API_VERSION 0
+#include "plugin_api.hpp"
+
+
+namespace cv { namespace dnn_backend {
+
+using namespace cv::dnn;
+
+class NetworkBackendOpenVINO : public NetworkBackend
+{
+public:
+    void switchBackend(Net& net) CV_OVERRIDE
+    {
+        cv::dnn::switchToOpenVINOBackend(net);
+    }
+    Net readNetwork(const std::string& loaderID, const std::string& model, const std::string& config) CV_OVERRIDE
+    {
+        if (!loaderID.empty())  // only auto ("") is supported
+        {
+            CV_Error(Error::StsError, "DNN/OpenVINO: unsupported network loader ID: " + loaderID);
+        }
+        return openvino_readNetwork(model, config);
+    }
+    Net readNetwork(
+        const std::string& loaderID,
+        const uchar* bufferModelConfigPtr, size_t bufferModelConfigSize,
+        const uchar* bufferWeightsPtr, size_t bufferWeightsSize
+    ) CV_OVERRIDE
+    {
+        if (!loaderID.empty())  // only auto ("") is supported
+        {
+            CV_Error(Error::StsError, "DNN/OpenVINO: unsupported network loader ID: " + loaderID);
+        }
+        return openvino_readNetwork(bufferModelConfigPtr, bufferModelConfigSize, bufferWeightsPtr, bufferWeightsSize);
+    }
+    bool checkTarget(Target target) CV_OVERRIDE
+    {
+        return openvino::checkTarget(target);
+    }
+};
+
+static
+std::shared_ptr<NetworkBackendOpenVINO>& getInstanceNetworkBackendOpenVINO()
+{
+    static std::shared_ptr<NetworkBackendOpenVINO> g_instance = std::make_shared<NetworkBackendOpenVINO>();
+    return g_instance;
+}
+
+
+}}  // namespace
+
+
+static
+CvResult cv_getInstanceNetworkBackend(CV_OUT CvPluginDNNNetworkBackend* handle) CV_NOEXCEPT
+{
+    try
+    {
+        if (!handle)
+            return CV_ERROR_FAIL;
+        *handle = cv::dnn_backend::getInstanceNetworkBackendOpenVINO().get();
+        return CV_ERROR_OK;
+    }
+    catch (...)
+    {
+        return CV_ERROR_FAIL;
+    }
+}
+
+static const OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API plugin_api =
+{
+    {
+        sizeof(OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API), ABI_VERSION, API_VERSION,
+        CV_VERSION_MAJOR, CV_VERSION_MINOR, CV_VERSION_REVISION, CV_VERSION_STATUS,
+        "OpenVINO OpenCV DNN plugin (" CVAUX_STR(INF_ENGINE_RELEASE) ")"
+    },
+    {
+        /*  1*/cv_getInstanceNetworkBackend
+    }
+};
+
+const OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API* CV_API_CALL opencv_dnn_plugin_init_v0(int requested_abi_version, int requested_api_version, void* /*reserved=NULL*/) CV_NOEXCEPT
+{
+    if (requested_abi_version == ABI_VERSION && requested_api_version <= API_VERSION)
+        return &plugin_api;
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+#endif  // BUILD_PLUGIN
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/op_inf_engine.cpp b/modules/dnn/src/op_inf_engine.cpp
index 8a27dc2221..e237be07cf 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/op_inf_engine.cpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/op_inf_engine.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,11 @@
 
 #ifdef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
 #include <ie_extension.h>
-#endif  // HAVE_INF_ENGINE
+#elif defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+// using plugin API
+#include "backend.hpp"
+#include "factory.hpp"
+#endif
 
 #include <opencv2/core/utils/configuration.private.hpp>
 #include <opencv2/core/utils/logger.hpp>
@@ -155,7 +159,6 @@ static bool detectMyriadX_(const std::string& device)
 }
 #endif  // !defined(OPENCV_DNN_IE_VPU_TYPE_DEFAULT)
 
-
 #endif  // HAVE_INF_ENGINE
 
 
@@ -281,24 +284,100 @@ bool checkTarget(Target target)
 
 #else  // HAVE_INF_ENGINE
 
+
+namespace openvino {
+
+bool checkTarget(Target target)
+{
+#if defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+    try
+    {
+        auto& networkBackend = dnn_backend::createPluginDNNNetworkBackend("openvino");
+        return networkBackend.checkTarget(target);
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception& e)
+    {
+        CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN/OpenVINO: checkTarget failed: " << e.what())
+    }
+#endif
+    return false;
+}
+
+}  // namespace openvino
+
+
 cv::String getInferenceEngineBackendType()
 {
+#if defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+    try
+    {
+        auto& networkBackend = dnn_backend::createPluginDNNNetworkBackend("openvino");
+        CV_UNUSED(networkBackend);
+        return CV_DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH;
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception& e)
+    {
+        CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN/OpenVINO: plugin is not available: " << e.what())
+    }
+#endif
     CV_Error(Error::StsNotImplemented, "This OpenCV build doesn't include InferenceEngine support");
 }
 cv::String setInferenceEngineBackendType(const cv::String& newBackendType)
 {
+#if defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+    try
+    {
+        auto& networkBackend = dnn_backend::createPluginDNNNetworkBackend("openvino");
+        CV_UNUSED(networkBackend);
+        CV_Assert(newBackendType == CV_DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH);
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception& e)
+    {
+        CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN/OpenVINO: plugin is not available: " << e.what())
+    }
+#endif
     CV_UNUSED(newBackendType);
     CV_Error(Error::StsNotImplemented, "This OpenCV build doesn't include InferenceEngine support");
 }
 cv::String getInferenceEngineVPUType()
 {
+#if defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+    try
+    {
+        auto& networkBackend = dnn_backend::createPluginDNNNetworkBackend("openvino");
+        if (networkBackend.checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_MYRIAD))
+            return CV_DNN_INFERENCE_ENGINE_VPU_TYPE_MYRIAD_X;  // 2021.4 supports NCS2 only
+        CV_Error(Error::StsError, "DNN/OpenVINO: DNN_TARGET_MYRIAD is not available");
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception& e)
+    {
+        CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN/OpenVINO: plugin is not available: " << e.what())
+    }
+#endif
     CV_Error(Error::StsNotImplemented, "This OpenCV build doesn't include InferenceEngine support");
 }
 
 cv::String getInferenceEngineCPUType()
 {
+#if defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+    try
+    {
+        auto& networkBackend = dnn_backend::createPluginDNNNetworkBackend("openvino");
+        CV_UNUSED(networkBackend);
+#if defined(__arm__) || defined(__aarch64__) || defined(_M_ARM64)
+        return CV_DNN_INFERENCE_ENGINE_CPU_TYPE_ARM_COMPUTE;
+#else
+        return CV_DNN_INFERENCE_ENGINE_CPU_TYPE_X86;
+#endif
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception& e)
+    {
+        CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN/OpenVINO: plugin is not available: " << e.what())
+    }
+#endif
     CV_Error(Error::StsNotImplemented, "This OpenCV build doesn't include InferenceEngine support");
 }
+
 #endif  // HAVE_INF_ENGINE
 
 
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/op_inf_engine.hpp b/modules/dnn/src/op_inf_engine.hpp
index 7f9f4bf47c..6ac4d955cc 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/op_inf_engine.hpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/op_inf_engine.hpp
@@ -60,6 +60,15 @@
 
 namespace cv { namespace dnn {
 
+CV__DNN_INLINE_NS_BEGIN
+namespace openvino {
+
+// TODO: use std::string as parameter
+bool checkTarget(Target target);
+
+}  // namespace openvino
+CV__DNN_INLINE_NS_END
+
 #ifdef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
 
 Backend& getInferenceEngineBackendTypeParam();
@@ -75,13 +84,6 @@ CV__DNN_INLINE_NS_BEGIN
 
 void switchToOpenVINOBackend(Net& net);
 
-namespace openvino {
-
-// TODO: use std::string as parameter
-bool checkTarget(Target target);
-
-}  // namespace openvino
-
 bool isMyriadX();
 
 bool isArmComputePlugin();
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/plugin_api.hpp b/modules/dnn/src/plugin_api.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..83f4189df2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/plugin_api.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+// This file is part of OpenCV project.
+// It is subject to the license terms in the LICENSE file found in the top-level directory
+// of this distribution and at http://opencv.org/license.html.
+
+#ifndef DNN_PLUGIN_API_HPP
+#define DNN_PLUGIN_API_HPP
+
+#include <opencv2/core/cvdef.h>
+#include <opencv2/core/llapi/llapi.h>
+
+#include "backend.hpp"
+
+#if !defined(BUILD_PLUGIN)
+
+/// increased for backward-compatible changes, e.g. add new function
+/// Caller API <= Plugin API -> plugin is fully compatible
+/// Caller API > Plugin API -> plugin is not fully compatible, caller should use extra checks to use plugins with older API
+#define API_VERSION 0 // preview
+
+/// increased for incompatible changes, e.g. remove function argument
+/// Caller ABI == Plugin ABI -> plugin is compatible
+/// Caller ABI > Plugin ABI -> plugin is not compatible, caller should use shim code to use old ABI plugins (caller may know how lower ABI works, so it is possible)
+/// Caller ABI < Plugin ABI -> plugin can't be used (plugin should provide interface with lower ABI to handle that)
+#define ABI_VERSION 0 // preview
+
+#else // !defined(BUILD_PLUGIN)
+
+#if !defined(ABI_VERSION) || !defined(API_VERSION)
+#error "Plugin must define ABI_VERSION and API_VERSION before including plugin_api.hpp"
+#endif
+
+#endif // !defined(BUILD_PLUGIN)
+
+typedef cv::dnn_backend::NetworkBackend* CvPluginDNNNetworkBackend;
+
+struct OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API_v0_0_api_entries
+{
+    /** @brief Get backend API instance
+
+    @param[out] handle pointer on inference backend API handle
+
+    @note API-CALL 1, API-Version == 0
+     */
+    CvResult (CV_API_CALL *getInstance)(CV_OUT CvPluginDNNNetworkBackend* handle) CV_NOEXCEPT;
+};  // OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API_v0_0_api_entries
+
+typedef struct OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API_v0
+{
+    OpenCV_API_Header api_header;
+    struct OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API_v0_0_api_entries v0;
+} OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API_v0;
+
+#if ABI_VERSION == 0 && API_VERSION == 0
+typedef OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API_v0 OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API;
+#else
+#error "Not supported configuration: check ABI_VERSION/API_VERSION"
+#endif
+
+#ifdef BUILD_PLUGIN
+extern "C" {
+
+CV_PLUGIN_EXPORTS
+const OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API* CV_API_CALL opencv_dnn_plugin_init_v0
+        (int requested_abi_version, int requested_api_version, void* reserved /*NULL*/) CV_NOEXCEPT;
+
+}  // extern "C"
+#else  // BUILD_PLUGIN
+typedef const OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API* (CV_API_CALL *FN_opencv_dnn_plugin_init_t)
+        (int requested_abi_version, int requested_api_version, void* reserved /*NULL*/);
+#endif  // BUILD_PLUGIN
+
+#endif // DNN_PLUGIN_API_HPP
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/plugin_wrapper.impl.hpp b/modules/dnn/src/plugin_wrapper.impl.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..94b2e4d219
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/plugin_wrapper.impl.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,319 @@
+// This file is part of OpenCV project.
+// It is subject to the license terms in the LICENSE file found in the top-level directory
+// of this distribution and at http://opencv.org/license.html.
+
+//
+// Not a standalone header, part of backend.cpp
+//
+
+//==================================================================================================
+// Dynamic backend implementation
+
+#include "opencv2/core/utils/plugin_loader.private.hpp"
+
+namespace cv { namespace impl {
+
+using namespace cv::dnn_backend;
+
+#if OPENCV_HAVE_FILESYSTEM_SUPPORT && defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+
+using namespace cv::plugin::impl;  // plugin_loader.hpp
+
+class PluginDNNBackend CV_FINAL: public std::enable_shared_from_this<PluginDNNBackend>
+{
+protected:
+    void initPluginAPI()
+    {
+        const char* init_name = "opencv_dnn_plugin_init_v0";
+        FN_opencv_dnn_plugin_init_t fn_init = reinterpret_cast<FN_opencv_dnn_plugin_init_t>(lib_->getSymbol(init_name));
+        if (fn_init)
+        {
+            CV_LOG_DEBUG(NULL, "Found entry: '" << init_name << "'");
+            for (int supported_api_version = API_VERSION; supported_api_version >= 0; supported_api_version--)
+            {
+                plugin_api_ = fn_init(ABI_VERSION, supported_api_version, NULL);
+                if (plugin_api_)
+                    break;
+            }
+            if (!plugin_api_)
+            {
+                CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN: plugin is incompatible (can't be initialized): " << lib_->getName());
+                return;
+            }
+            // NB: force strict minor version check (ABI is not preserved for now)
+            if (!checkCompatibility(plugin_api_->api_header, ABI_VERSION, API_VERSION, true))
+            {
+                plugin_api_ = NULL;
+                return;
+            }
+            CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN: plugin is ready to use '" << plugin_api_->api_header.api_description << "'");
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN: plugin is incompatible, missing init function: '" << init_name << "', file: " << lib_->getName());
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    bool checkCompatibility(const OpenCV_API_Header& api_header, unsigned int abi_version, unsigned int api_version, bool checkMinorOpenCVVersion)
+    {
+        if (api_header.opencv_version_major != CV_VERSION_MAJOR)
+        {
+            CV_LOG_ERROR(NULL, "DNN: wrong OpenCV major version used by plugin '" << api_header.api_description << "': " <<
+                cv::format("%d.%d, OpenCV version is '" CV_VERSION "'", api_header.opencv_version_major, api_header.opencv_version_minor))
+            return false;
+        }
+        if (!checkMinorOpenCVVersion)
+        {
+            // no checks for OpenCV minor version
+        }
+        else if (api_header.opencv_version_minor != CV_VERSION_MINOR)
+        {
+            CV_LOG_ERROR(NULL, "DNN: wrong OpenCV minor version used by plugin '" << api_header.api_description << "': " <<
+                cv::format("%d.%d, OpenCV version is '" CV_VERSION "'", api_header.opencv_version_major, api_header.opencv_version_minor))
+            return false;
+        }
+        CV_LOG_DEBUG(NULL, "DNN: initialized '" << api_header.api_description << "': built with "
+            << cv::format("OpenCV %d.%d (ABI/API = %d/%d)",
+                 api_header.opencv_version_major, api_header.opencv_version_minor,
+                 api_header.min_api_version, api_header.api_version)
+            << ", current OpenCV version is '" CV_VERSION "' (ABI/API = " << abi_version << "/" << api_version << ")"
+        );
+        if (api_header.min_api_version != abi_version)  // future: range can be here
+        {
+            // actually this should never happen due to checks in plugin's init() function
+            CV_LOG_ERROR(NULL, "DNN: plugin is not supported due to incompatible ABI = " << api_header.min_api_version);
+            return false;
+        }
+        if (api_header.api_version != api_version)
+        {
+            CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN: NOTE: plugin is supported, but there is API version mismath: "
+                << cv::format("plugin API level (%d) != OpenCV API level (%d)", api_header.api_version, api_version));
+            if (api_header.api_version < api_version)
+            {
+                CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN: NOTE: some functionality may be unavailable due to lack of support by plugin implementation");
+            }
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+public:
+    std::shared_ptr<cv::plugin::impl::DynamicLib> lib_;
+    const OpenCV_DNN_Plugin_API* plugin_api_;
+
+    PluginDNNBackend(const std::shared_ptr<cv::plugin::impl::DynamicLib>& lib)
+        : lib_(lib)
+        , plugin_api_(NULL)
+    {
+        initPluginAPI();
+    }
+
+    std::shared_ptr<cv::dnn_backend::NetworkBackend> createNetworkBackend() const
+    {
+        CV_Assert(plugin_api_);
+
+        CvPluginDNNNetworkBackend instancePtr = NULL;
+
+        if (plugin_api_->v0.getInstance)
+        {
+            if (CV_ERROR_OK == plugin_api_->v0.getInstance(&instancePtr))
+            {
+                CV_Assert(instancePtr);
+                // TODO C++20 "aliasing constructor"
+                return std::shared_ptr<cv::dnn_backend::NetworkBackend>(instancePtr, [](cv::dnn_backend::NetworkBackend*){});  // empty deleter
+            }
+        }
+        return std::shared_ptr<cv::dnn_backend::NetworkBackend>();
+    }
+
+};  // class PluginDNNBackend
+
+
+class PluginDNNBackendFactory CV_FINAL: public IDNNBackendFactory
+{
+public:
+    std::string baseName_;
+    std::shared_ptr<PluginDNNBackend> backend;
+    bool initialized;
+public:
+    PluginDNNBackendFactory(const std::string& baseName)
+        : baseName_(baseName)
+        , initialized(false)
+    {
+        // nothing, plugins are loaded on demand
+    }
+
+    std::shared_ptr<cv::dnn_backend::NetworkBackend> createNetworkBackend() const CV_OVERRIDE
+    {
+        if (!initialized)
+        {
+            const_cast<PluginDNNBackendFactory*>(this)->initBackend();
+        }
+        if (backend)
+            return backend->createNetworkBackend();
+        return std::shared_ptr<cv::dnn_backend::NetworkBackend>();
+    }
+
+protected:
+    void initBackend()
+    {
+        AutoLock lock(getInitializationMutex());
+        try
+        {
+            if (!initialized)
+                loadPlugin();
+        }
+        catch (...)
+        {
+            CV_LOG_INFO(NULL, "DNN: exception during plugin loading: " << baseName_ << ". SKIP");
+        }
+        initialized = true;
+    }
+    void loadPlugin();
+};
+
+static
+std::vector<FileSystemPath_t> getPluginCandidates(const std::string& baseName)
+{
+    using namespace cv::utils;
+    using namespace cv::utils::fs;
+    const std::string baseName_l = toLowerCase(baseName);
+    const std::string baseName_u = toUpperCase(baseName);
+    const FileSystemPath_t baseName_l_fs = toFileSystemPath(baseName_l);
+    std::vector<FileSystemPath_t> paths;
+    // TODO OPENCV_PLUGIN_PATH
+    const std::vector<std::string> paths_ = getConfigurationParameterPaths("OPENCV_DNN_PLUGIN_PATH", std::vector<std::string>());
+    if (paths_.size() != 0)
+    {
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < paths_.size(); i++)
+        {
+            paths.push_back(toFileSystemPath(paths_[i]));
+        }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        FileSystemPath_t binaryLocation;
+        if (getBinLocation(binaryLocation))
+        {
+            binaryLocation = getParent(binaryLocation);
+#ifndef CV_DNN_PLUGIN_SUBDIRECTORY
+            paths.push_back(binaryLocation);
+#else
+            paths.push_back(binaryLocation + toFileSystemPath("/") + toFileSystemPath(CV_DNN_PLUGIN_SUBDIRECTORY_STR));
+#endif
+        }
+    }
+    const std::string default_expr = libraryPrefix() + "opencv_dnn_" + baseName_l + "*" + librarySuffix();
+    const std::string plugin_expr = getConfigurationParameterString((std::string("OPENCV_DNN_PLUGIN_") + baseName_u).c_str(), default_expr.c_str());
+    std::vector<FileSystemPath_t> results;
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    FileSystemPath_t moduleName = toFileSystemPath(libraryPrefix() + "opencv_dnn_" + baseName_l + librarySuffix());
+    if (plugin_expr != default_expr)
+    {
+        moduleName = toFileSystemPath(plugin_expr);
+        results.push_back(moduleName);
+    }
+    for (const FileSystemPath_t& path : paths)
+    {
+        results.push_back(path + L"\\" + moduleName);
+    }
+    results.push_back(moduleName);
+#else
+    CV_LOG_DEBUG(NULL, "DNN: " << baseName << " plugin's glob is '" << plugin_expr << "', " << paths.size() << " location(s)");
+    for (const std::string& path : paths)
+    {
+        if (path.empty())
+            continue;
+        std::vector<std::string> candidates;
+        cv::glob(utils::fs::join(path, plugin_expr), candidates);
+        // Prefer candidates with higher versions
+        // TODO: implemented accurate versions-based comparator
+        std::sort(candidates.begin(), candidates.end(), std::greater<std::string>());
+        CV_LOG_DEBUG(NULL, "    - " << path << ": " << candidates.size());
+        copy(candidates.begin(), candidates.end(), back_inserter(results));
+    }
+#endif
+    CV_LOG_DEBUG(NULL, "Found " << results.size() << " plugin(s) for " << baseName);
+    return results;
+}
+
+void PluginDNNBackendFactory::loadPlugin()
+{
+    for (const FileSystemPath_t& plugin : getPluginCandidates(baseName_))
+    {
+        auto lib = std::make_shared<cv::plugin::impl::DynamicLib>(plugin);
+        if (!lib->isLoaded())
+        {
+            continue;
+        }
+        try
+        {
+            auto pluginBackend = std::make_shared<PluginDNNBackend>(lib);
+            if (!pluginBackend)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if (pluginBackend->plugin_api_ == NULL)
+            {
+                CV_LOG_ERROR(NULL, "DNN: no compatible plugin API for backend: " << baseName_ << " in " << toPrintablePath(plugin));
+                continue;
+            }
+            // NB: we are going to use backend, so prevent automatic library unloading
+            lib->disableAutomaticLibraryUnloading();
+            backend = pluginBackend;
+            return;
+        }
+        catch (...)
+        {
+            CV_LOG_WARNING(NULL, "DNN: exception during plugin initialization: " << toPrintablePath(plugin) << ". SKIP");
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#endif  // OPENCV_HAVE_FILESYSTEM_SUPPORT && defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+
+}  // namespace
+
+
+
+namespace dnn_backend {
+
+
+std::shared_ptr<IDNNBackendFactory> createPluginDNNBackendFactory(const std::string& baseName)
+{
+#if OPENCV_HAVE_FILESYSTEM_SUPPORT && defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+    const std::string baseName_u = toUpperCase(baseName);
+    AutoLock lock(getInitializationMutex());
+    static std::map<std::string, std::shared_ptr<IDNNBackendFactory>> g_plugins_cache;
+    auto it = g_plugins_cache.find(baseName_u);
+    if (it == g_plugins_cache.end())
+    {
+        auto factory = std::make_shared<impl::PluginDNNBackendFactory>(baseName);
+        g_plugins_cache.insert(std::pair<std::string, std::shared_ptr<IDNNBackendFactory>>(baseName_u, factory));
+        return factory;
+    }
+    return it->second;
+#else
+    CV_UNUSED(baseName);
+    return std::shared_ptr<IDNNBackendFactory>();
+#endif
+}
+
+
+cv::dnn_backend::NetworkBackend& createPluginDNNNetworkBackend(const std::string& baseName)
+{
+    auto factory = dnn_backend::createPluginDNNBackendFactory(baseName);
+    if (!factory)
+    {
+        CV_Error(Error::StsNotImplemented, cv::format("Plugin factory is not available: '%s'", baseName.c_str()));
+    }
+    auto backend = factory->createNetworkBackend();
+    if (!backend)
+    {
+        CV_Error(Error::StsNotImplemented, cv::format("Backend (plugin) is not available: '%s'", baseName.c_str()));
+    }
+    return *backend;
+}
+
+
+}}  // namespace
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/precomp.hpp b/modules/dnn/src/precomp.hpp
index abcd3745f9..0100eb2c7f 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/precomp.hpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/precomp.hpp
@@ -39,8 +39,14 @@
 //
 //M*/
 
-#include <opencv2/core.hpp>
+#if !defined(BUILD_PLUGIN)
 #include "cvconfig.h"
+#else
+#include <opencv2/core/cvdef.h>
+#undef __OPENCV_BUILD  // allow public API only
+#endif
+
+#include <opencv2/core.hpp>
 
 #ifndef CV_OCL4DNN
 #define CV_OCL4DNN 0
diff --git a/modules/dnn/src/registry.cpp b/modules/dnn/src/registry.cpp
index 697fca6015..56b96f4c4c 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/src/registry.cpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/src/registry.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 
 #include "halide_scheduler.hpp"
 
+#include "backend.hpp"
+#include "factory.hpp"
 
 namespace cv {
 namespace dnn {
@@ -43,43 +45,46 @@ private:
 #endif
 #endif  // HAVE_HALIDE
 
+        bool haveBackendOpenVINO = false;
 #ifdef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
-        if (openvino::checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_CPU))
+        haveBackendOpenVINO = true;
+#elif defined(ENABLE_PLUGINS)
+        {
+            auto factory = dnn_backend::createPluginDNNBackendFactory("openvino");
+            if (factory)
+            {
+                auto backend = factory->createNetworkBackend();
+                if (backend)
+                    haveBackendOpenVINO = true;
+            }
+        }
+#endif
+
+        if (haveBackendOpenVINO && openvino::checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_CPU))
         {
-#ifdef HAVE_DNN_NGRAPH
             backends.push_back(std::make_pair(DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH, DNN_TARGET_CPU));
-#endif
         }
-        if (openvino::checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_MYRIAD))
+        if (haveBackendOpenVINO && openvino::checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_MYRIAD))
         {
-#ifdef HAVE_DNN_NGRAPH
             backends.push_back(std::make_pair(DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH, DNN_TARGET_MYRIAD));
-#endif
         }
-        if (openvino::checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_HDDL))
+        if (haveBackendOpenVINO && openvino::checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_HDDL))
         {
-#ifdef HAVE_DNN_NGRAPH
             backends.push_back(std::make_pair(DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH, DNN_TARGET_HDDL));
-#endif
         }
 #ifdef HAVE_OPENCL
         if (cv::ocl::useOpenCL() && ocl::Device::getDefault().isIntel())
         {
-            if (openvino::checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_OPENCL))
+            if (haveBackendOpenVINO && openvino::checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_OPENCL))
             {
-#ifdef HAVE_DNN_NGRAPH
                 backends.push_back(std::make_pair(DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH, DNN_TARGET_OPENCL));
-#endif
             }
-            if (openvino::checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_OPENCL_FP16))
+            if (haveBackendOpenVINO && openvino::checkTarget(DNN_TARGET_OPENCL_FP16))
             {
-#ifdef HAVE_DNN_NGRAPH
                 backends.push_back(std::make_pair(DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH, DNN_TARGET_OPENCL_FP16));
-#endif
             }
         }
-#endif
-#endif  // HAVE_INF_ENGINE
+#endif  // HAVE_OPENCL
 
 #ifdef HAVE_WEBNN
         if (haveWebnn())
@@ -132,10 +137,9 @@ std::vector<Target> getAvailableTargets(Backend be)
 {
     if (be == DNN_BACKEND_DEFAULT)
         be = (Backend)getParam_DNN_BACKEND_DEFAULT();
-#ifdef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
+
     if (be == DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE)
         be = DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NGRAPH;
-#endif
 
     std::vector<Target> result;
     const BackendRegistry::BackendsList all_backends = getAvailableBackends();
diff --git a/modules/dnn/test/test_common.hpp b/modules/dnn/test/test_common.hpp
index 3d616e17da..e36374bd98 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/test/test_common.hpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/test/test_common.hpp
@@ -130,9 +130,7 @@ void normAssertTextDetections(
 
 void readFileContent(const std::string& filename, CV_OUT std::vector<char>& content);
 
-#ifdef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
 bool validateVPUType();
-#endif
 
 testing::internal::ParamGenerator< tuple<Backend, Target> > dnnBackendsAndTargets(
         bool withInferenceEngine = true,
diff --git a/modules/dnn/test/test_common.impl.hpp b/modules/dnn/test/test_common.impl.hpp
index 35f658cc90..5fdf6c3d1e 100644
--- a/modules/dnn/test/test_common.impl.hpp
+++ b/modules/dnn/test/test_common.impl.hpp
@@ -254,9 +254,7 @@ testing::internal::ParamGenerator< tuple<Backend, Target> > dnnBackendsAndTarget
         bool withWebnn /*= false*/
 )
 {
-#ifdef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
     bool withVPU = validateVPUType();
-#endif
 
     std::vector< tuple<Backend, Target> > targets;
     std::vector< Target > available;
@@ -266,7 +264,6 @@ testing::internal::ParamGenerator< tuple<Backend, Target> > dnnBackendsAndTarget
         for (std::vector< Target >::const_iterator i = available.begin(); i != available.end(); ++i)
             targets.push_back(make_tuple(DNN_BACKEND_HALIDE, *i));
     }
-#ifdef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
     if (withInferenceEngine)
     {
         available = getAvailableTargets(DNN_BACKEND_INFERENCE_ENGINE_NN_BUILDER_2019);
@@ -288,9 +285,6 @@ testing::internal::ParamGenerator< tuple<Backend, Target> > dnnBackendsAndTarget
         }
 
     }
-#else
-    CV_UNUSED(withInferenceEngine);
-#endif
     if (withVkCom)
     {
         available = getAvailableTargets(DNN_BACKEND_VKCOM);
@@ -356,7 +350,6 @@ testing::internal::ParamGenerator< tuple<Backend, Target> > dnnBackendsAndTarget
 #endif
 }
 
-#ifdef HAVE_INF_ENGINE
 static std::string getTestInferenceEngineVPUType()
 {
     static std::string param_vpu_type = utils::getConfigurationParameterString("OPENCV_TEST_DNN_IE_VPU_TYPE", "");
@@ -419,7 +412,6 @@ bool validateVPUType()
     static bool result = validateVPUType_();
     return result;
 }
-#endif // HAVE_INF_ENGINE
 
 
 void initDNNTests()