Complete Guide 2026
AI Funding Austria 2026 —
The Complete Guide
Austrian SMEs often leave AI and digitalisation funding unused — not because it does not exist, but because the landscape is complex. This guide covers every relevant programme, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
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The funding gap
Why Austrian SMEs leave funding on the table.
Austrian federal and regional funding for AI and digitalisation is substantial — but most small businesses never apply. The two most common reasons: they do not know the programmes exist, or they find the application process too complex to navigate without dedicated support.
Depending on the programme, consulting and implementation are subsidised at 30 to 80 percent. KMU.DIGITAL, for example, funds a status analysis at 80% and implementation at 30%. This guide removes both barriers: awareness and complexity.
Key programmes at a glance
aws Digitalisierung
AI & digitalisation, per call
KMU.DIGITAL
Budget currently exhausted
SFG Steiermark
Styrian businesses
FFG Basisprogramm
R&D / innovation projects
Chamber of Commerce advice
Varies by federal state
Programme 1
aws Digitalisierung
aws (Austria Wirtschaftsservice) awards non-repayable grants under "aws Digitalisierung" for digitalising products, services and processes and for e-commerce. Consulting and implementation costs are eligible, and AI projects have dedicated modules.
In the AI focus, AI-Start supports an SME’s first AI implementation with up to €15,000. AI-Wissen provides up to 20 hours of aws innovation consulting with a grant of up to €20,000, and AI-Adoption funds larger projects with up to €150,000 (call currently closed). Calls open and close, so check aws.at for the current status.
Eligibility criteria
- Registered office or business location in Austria
- Application before the project starts
- Consulting and implementation costs are eligible
- Company size and sector depend on the programme
- Submission only while a call is open
Max. funding
€150.000
non-repayable, depending on programme
First AI project
€15.000
AI-Start for SMEs
Important
Before start
apply before the project begins
Programme 2
KMU.DIGITAL
KMU.DIGITAL is run jointly by the federal government, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and aws. It funds consulting and the implementation of digitalisation projects. According to kmudigital.at, the KMU.DIGITAL 4.0 budget is currently exhausted, so new applications will only be possible with a new round.
Consulting: a status and potential analysis is funded at 80% (max. €400), strategy consulting at 50% (max. €1,000). Implementation: 30% grant, max. €6,000, for eligible costs between €2,000 and €30,000 net. Implementation funding requires a previously funded consultation.
What is covered
- Status and potential analysis (80%, max. €400)
- Strategy consulting (50%, max. €1,000)
- Implementation projects (30%, max. €6,000)
- Eligible implementation costs: €2,000 to €30,000 net
- Implementation only after a funded consultation
Important: registered consultants only
KMU.DIGITAL consulting may only be delivered by registered KMU.DIGITAL consultants. EA Digital Solutions is not a registered KMU.DIGITAL consultant. For this programme, find a registered consultant via kmudigital.at; we support aws and SFG projects.
Max. implementation grant
€6.000
non-repayable grant
Subsidy rate
30–80%
Analysis 80% · Strategy 50% · Implementation 30%
Target group
Up to 250 employees
Austrian SMEs
Programme 3 — Styria-specific
SFG — Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung
The SFG (Steirische Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft) is the Styrian regional development agency and provides a range of funding instruments specifically for Styrian businesses. For digitalisation projects there are dedicated grants: the digitalisation cost grant, for example, covers 30% of eligible costs, up to €2,500, for projects of at least €3,000. Eligible measures include ERP and CRM systems with interfaces, booking platforms, customer portals and a first website or online shop.
Unlike federal programmes, SFG funding is applied for directly through the SFG and is subject to Styrian state budget. The application requires a project description, cost plan, and business presentation. We recommend contacting SFG early and ideally attending a free initial advisory session.
Contact & application
SFG — key facts
Target group
Styrian businesses of all sizes
Focus areas
Digitalisation, innovation, investment, exports
Example: digitalisation
30%, max. €2,500, projects from €3,000
AI projects
Covered under digitalisation and innovation programmes
Combinability
Often combinable with AWS and KMU.DIGITAL (check individual case)
First step
Free initial advisory session at SFG
Programme 4 — R&D / Innovation
FFG Basisprogramm
The FFG (Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft) Basisprogramm is the right choice if your AI project involves research and development — not just the adoption of existing tools. If you are developing custom AI models, novel automation approaches, or data science applications, the FFG offers substantially higher funding amounts.
The Basisprogramm usually funds R&D projects with a mix of grant and low-interest loan. Funding is generally up to 50% of project costs, up to 70% for start-ups, with a maximum of €3 million per project. The application is more involved than for aws or KMU.DIGITAL: the project plan, technical description and commercial exploitation must be convincing.
FFG funding is relevant for: custom machine learning model development, proprietary AI-based product development, AI integration in a manufacturing or industrial context, and data science research for business intelligence.
FFG Basisprogramm — key facts
Funding amount
Up to €3 million per project
Funding rate
Usually up to 50%, start-ups up to 70%
Funding type
Grant plus low-interest loan
Complexity
High — detailed project application
Best for
Custom AI development, R&D-heavy AI projects
Website
ffg.at/basisprogramm
Programme 5 — Free first step
Chamber of Commerce digitalisation advice
The regional Chambers of Commerce offer initial consultations on digitalisation, often free of charge or heavily subsidised. In Upper Austria, for example, "Digital.Basis" reviews your digitalisation plans in a free 50-minute online session, and Tyrol offers a subsidised DigitalisierungsCheck with a small co-payment.
Ask WKO Steiermark which offers are currently available in Styria. Such an initial consultation is a good first step before applying for larger funding.
What an initial consultation covers
- Assessment of your current digital maturity
- First recommendations for your business
- Pointers to suitable funding programmes
- Offers and costs differ by federal state
- Contact in Graz: WKO Steiermark
Quick reference
How much funding could my project get?
Indicative amounts — actual eligibility depends on project scope, company size, and annual turnover.
| Project type | Typical cost | Best programme | Indicative funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial digitalisation consultation | Often free | Chamber of Commerce | Varies by state |
| Status & potential analysis (registered consultant) | per consultant | KMU.DIGITAL* | 80%, max. €400 |
| Strategy consulting (registered consultant) | per consultant | KMU.DIGITAL* | 50%, max. €1,000 |
| Digitalisation / automation implementation | €2,000–30,000 | KMU.DIGITAL* | 30%, max. €6,000 |
| First AI project in an SME | Project-based | aws AI-Start | up to €15,000 |
| Digitalisation project in Styria | from €3,000 | SFG | e.g. 30%, max. €2,500 |
| R&D project with own AI development | Project-based | FFG Basisprogramm | usually up to 50% |
* KMU.DIGITAL: only via registered KMU.DIGITAL consultants (EA Digital Solutions is not one); budget currently exhausted according to kmudigital.at. All amounts as of September 2026 and indicative; actual funding depends on company size, prior de minimis aid and project criteria. Always check current conditions at aws.at, kmudigital.at, sfg.at and ffg.at.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about AI funding in Austria.
Can I apply for multiple funding programmes at the same time?
Yes, in many cases cumulation is possible — but not unlimited. AWS and KMU.DIGITAL are subject to the de minimis regulation (max. €300,000 in 3 years). SFG funding can often be combined with federal programmes, as long as the total subsidy rate does not exceed the permitted maximum. We review your specific combination in the initial consultation.
Do I need to apply before the project starts?
For almost all programmes: the funding application must be submitted before the project begins (contract conclusion, invoicing). Retroactive funding is generally not granted. The exception is free initial consultations by the Chamber of Commerce, which you can use at any time.
What counts as an "AI project" for funding purposes?
For most Austrian funding bodies, "AI" also covers broader digitalisation measures: introduction of cloud software, process automation, data analysis tools, and concrete AI solutions (ChatGPT integration, machine learning, NLP). Pure hardware purchases without a software component are usually excluded. The exact demarcation is clarified during the application process.
How long does the funding process take?
It depends on the programme and is set out in each programme document. For aws calls with a jury selection, the decision is made after the jury meeting, and the FFG Basisprogramm requires a detailed project application. Plan enough lead time, because the application almost always has to be filed before the project starts. We support you with the application to avoid supplementary requests.
Can I get funding for external consulting costs (e.g. AI consulting)?
Yes — consulting services related to AI and digitalisation are eligible under KMU.DIGITAL, SFG and aws programmes such as AI-Wissen. This includes consulting fees for AI strategy development, potential analyses, and implementation support. At KMU.DIGITAL, a funded consultation is even a prerequisite for implementation funding.
Related
KI-Readiness Assessment
Before applying for funding, find out which level of AI maturity your business is at — and which service is the right fit.
Take the free quizRelated
AI Consulting Graz
Local AI consulting that includes a funding eligibility check — so you know from the start how much subsidy your project could receive.
View AI consulting── Free process check
Can your process be automated?
Describe your manual workflow in 5 minutes. We check for free whether and how it can be automated — including a 30-minute call and a written assessment.