Get your AI project
funded in Austria.

Many AI and digitalisation projects are eligible for funding in Austria — from 30 % up to 100 %. You apply; we shape your project to fit a programme and deliver the offer, project description and timeline.

See programmes
DIGITAL.PLUS: applications until 2 Nov 2026

Funding programmes
that fit.

The funding programmes that currently fit AI projects best — as of 22 Oct 2026.

WKOLand Oberösterreich
Upper Austria · WKOÖ & Land OÖ

DIGITAL.PLUS 26

35 %up to €7,000 · project from €12,000
Who
SMEs based in Upper Austria with active WKOÖ membership. One project per member; not if you already received Digital Starter 2023/2024 or DIGITAL.PLUS 2025.
How we fit in
Assessment, AI rollout and integration as one digitalisation project (data management and AI). At least 20 % consulting or IT services.
Deadline
Apply by 2 Nov 2026 — start only after applying. Billing by 31 Mar 2027.
Official programme page
FFG
Austria · EDIH AI5innovation, EU & FFG

Test before Invest

100 %approx. €30,000–40,000 project scope incl. 2 trainings
Who
Manufacturing SMEs and mid-caps anywhere in Austria.
How we fit in
A pilot in your company — for example analysing complaints and feeding the findings back to engineering. Carried out with a research partner of the EDIH.
Deadline
Ongoing — the EDIH runs until 31 Oct 2028.
About AI5innovation
WKO
Upper Austria · WKOÖ

ERFOLG.PLUS 26

50 %up to €750 of the consulting fee · minimum fee €800
Who
SMEs based in Upper Austria with active WKOÖ membership.
How we fit in
The assessment before an AI project: we map how your process works today and where AI pays off.
Deadline
Until 15 Dec 2026, subject to available budget.
Official programme page
Land Oberösterreich
Upper Austria · Land OÖ

Innovative Skills for SMEs

30 %up to €1,000 per person and course
Who
Companies in Upper Austria, for employees with full social insurance.
How we fit in
Training your team on the new AI system and on AI in their daily work.
Deadline
Ongoing — apply before the course starts.
Land Upper Austria
FFG
Austria · FFG

FFG Skills Scheck 2026

up to 50 %of training costs
Who
Companies anywhere in Austria.
How we fit in
Training your team on AI — also for companies outside Upper Austria.
Deadline
Check current conditions on ffg.at.
ffg.at

Logos identify the respective funding bodies and programmes. Source Deploy is not affiliated with them; all information without guarantee.

How the
numbers work.

DIGITAL.PLUS starts at €12,000 net. We shape offers so they reach the threshold and include at least 20 % consulting or IT services.

ProjectNetProgrammeFunding amountYou pay
AssessmentConsulting only€1,500ERFOLG.PLUS€750€750
Small rolloutBelow the €12,000 threshold€10,000—€0€10,000
AI projectAssessment, rollout, integration€15,000DIGITAL.PLUS€5,250€9,750
Larger AI projectFunding capped at €7,000€25,000DIGITAL.PLUS€7,000€18,000

Illustrative examples based on the programme rules, net amounts. Actual funding depends on the guidelines, available budget, timely application and the funding decision.

Good to know
before you apply.

Three rules we always stick to, so your funding doesn't fall through.

Apply before you start

Nothing may be ordered or started before the application — otherwise the funding is lost. We plan the timeline accordingly.

You apply, we prepare

The application is always made by your company. We shape the project to fit a programme and deliver the offer, project description and timeline.

No promises we can't keep

Projects are eligible subject to the guidelines, budget, timely application and the funding decision. DIGITAL.PLUS and ERFOLG.PLUS require the EU SME definition; DIGITAL.PLUS is de minimis aid.

From first talk
to funded project.

Four steps. The order matters — the application always comes before the project starts.

01
Free · 20 min

Funding check

In the free 20-minute talk we check which programme fits your company and project.

02
We prepare

Offer & description

We shape the project to fit the programme and deliver offer, project description and timeline.

03
You apply

Application

You submit the application — before the project starts.

04
After applying

Project starts

We build and launch your solution and support you with the documentation for billing.

Questions
we often hear.

Anything else? Ask us directly in the free 20-minute talk.

Can you apply for the funding on our behalf?

The application is made by your company. We prepare everything the programme asks for — offer, project description and timeline — and help you through the process.

We are not based in Upper Austria. What can we use?

Outside Upper Austria, Test before Invest (for manufacturing companies) and the FFG Skills Scheck are currently the main options. KMU.DIGITAL has used up its budget and will not continue from 2027.

Does software count towards the project volume?

Yes, software that is part of the package counts towards the project volume. For DIGITAL.PLUS the project must be at least €12,000 net and include at least 20 % consulting or IT services.

Is the funding guaranteed?

No. Projects are eligible subject to the guidelines, available budget, timely application and the funding decision of the funding body.

Find out what
your project gets.

Book a free 20-minute talk. We check which programme fits and how to shape your project — no obligation.

How we start
Free · 20 min

Do-we-match talk

You tell us about your company. We tell you honestly whether we can help.

Paid · fixed price

Sprint

We dig into your data, tools and processes and work out exactly what to build.

Your call

Build

Like the plan? Hire us to build it. If not, you keep the results of the sprint.