Knowledge
What funding is available for AI projects?
In 2026, AI projects can be funded above all through state programmes, ZIM and the research allowance: DIGI-Zuschuss Hessen up to €10,000 (50 percent), Digitalbonus Bayern up to €7,500, the research allowance for SMEs up to 35 percent. One rule almost always applies: the application must be in place before the project starts. We keep this overview current.
- DIGI-Zuschuss Hessen
- up to €10,000
- Digitalbonus Bayern
- up to €7,500
- research allowance for SMEs
- up to 35%
- reading time
- 7 min
Free funding check
We check which funding fits your AI or app project, how high the grant can be, and how to time the application correctly. What matters is that the application is in place before the project starts, otherwise the funding is lost. That is exactly what we take off your hands.
Request a funding checkNationwide programmes
- BAFA, funding for management consulting for SMEs. 50 percent (max. €1,750), in the new federal states and for young companies up to 80 percent (max. €2,800). Apply before the consulting begins; the consultant must be BAFA-listed. Fits: the strategic pre-phase before the pilot.
- ZIM, Central Innovation Programme for SMEs. Non-repayable grant, single project up to around €310,000 (45 percent of max. €690,000 in costs), open to any topic, requires genuine innovation with technical risk. New in 2026: up to 35 percent of the staff costs for external AI specialists is eligible. Fits: AI projects with a genuine development and novelty component. Part of our work can be funded through this.
- Research allowance (FZulG). Tax-based support for development work, improved in 2026, up to 35 percent for SMEs. Fits: projects with a research and development component, also retroactively.
- KfW ERP digitalisation loan. Low-interest loan via your house bank, not a grant. Fits: financing larger projects.
- Mittelstand-Digital centres. Free, vendor-neutral advice. Fits: an initial orientation at no cost.
- Note: the former federal programmes “Digital Jetzt” and “go-digital” have expired.
Programmes by federal state
Listed are states with an active programme. Caps and deadlines change; we check the current status before every application.
- Hesse, DIGI-Zuschuss. Up to 50 percent, max. €10,000, from €4,000 in material expenses, via WIBank, awarded by random selection, project to be completed by 30 Nov 2026, first-time applicants only, also funds external software development. A €39,000 pilot is below the programme's €50,000 threshold and is therefore eligible in principle. Fits: smaller pilots and sub-projects.
- Bavaria, Digitalbonus. Standard up to €7,500, Plus for innovative AI projects with a higher cap, 50 percent, place of business in Bavaria. Fits: Bavarian customers.
- North Rhine-Westphalia, Mittelstand Innovativ & Digital (MID). Via NRW.Bank, MID digitalisation up to €15,000, MID innovation up to €48,000. Fits: customers in NRW, good for validating AI concepts.
- Baden-Württemberg. Mostly a low-interest loan with a repayment subsidy, plus innovation vouchers up to €20,000 (50 percent) and the “Mittelstand trifft Start-ups” voucher for external software development. Invest BW is call-based with high sums. Fits: BW customers, depending on the project.
- Saxony, digitalisation (SAB, ERDF). Up to 60 percent for micro-enterprises. Fits: Saxon customers.
- Lower Saxony, Digitalbonus.Niedersachsen innovativ. Via NBank, with an innovation requirement. Fits: Lower Saxon customers.
- Brandenburg, BIG Digital. Modular approach, up to €250,000. Fits: Brandenburg customers with a larger project.
- Rhineland-Palatinate, InnoTop. For high technical risk, with a climate bonus up to 80 percent. Fits: innovative projects in RLP.
- Hamburg. IFB digitalisation consulting (grant towards the consulting fee) plus restructured programmes with a digital check and loan. Fits: Hamburg customers.
- Berlin, Pro FIT. Grants and loans for technological innovation. Fits: Berlin customers, strong in the deep-tech space.
- Saarland, ZTS. 50 percent grant towards the gross salary for development projects. Fits: Saarland customers with a development component.
- Thuringia, Digitalbonus. Funds temporarily exhausted at times; check availability before applying. Fits: Thuringian customers, depending on availability.
- Further federal states on request. The situation changes constantly; we check it for your state in the funding check.
Austria
- aws AI Adoption. Up to €150,000, call-based, in part up to 80 percent. The biggest low-threshold lever for implementation pilots in the region. Fits: customers in Austria.
- KMU.DIGITAL. Consulting and implementation combined up to around €8,000. Fits: smaller projects in Austria.
How we help
We check which programmes fit your project, set the project up in a funding-compliant way, and make sure the application is in place before the project starts.
Free guide
The 2026 funding guide as a PDF
- Every relevant programme: federal, 12 German states, Austria — with grant amounts
- The five most common mistakes that cost you the funding
- Five steps to a funded AI project
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an AI pilot funded?
In many cases yes. A €39,000 pilot, for example, is below the €50,000 threshold of the DIGI-Zuschuss Hessen and is eligible in principle. In addition, nationwide programmes such as ZIM or the research allowance, and state programmes, come into question. Availability depends on the region and the conditions.
Does the application have to be submitted before the project starts?
For almost all programmes, yes. If you start before approval, the funding is usually lost. That is why we settle the funding question before the start.
Do you help with funding?
In the free funding check we assess which programmes fit your project and set the project up in a funding-compliant way, including the application before the project starts.