AaAFrom €60,000 for an AI-powered energy services startup to €2,500,000 for a deep tech company scaling across the EU market. In 2026, artificial intelligence and digital technologies have become the most heavily funded areas in the European Union’s grant landscape. But the structure of this funding is far from uniform: some programmes target startups and small businesses, others are designed for universities and researchers, and still others support NGOs or public institutions. The key challenge for any applicant is understanding which category their project belongs to and which instrument to pursue. Below is a structured analytical overview of the major grant opportunities in IT and AI available to Ukrainian organisations in 2026.
| Programmes covered
12 programmes |
Nearest deadline
12 May 2026 |
Target sectors
Business, academia, NGOs, public bodies |
Maximum amount
up to €2,500,000 (EIC) |
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How IT and AI funding is structured: what you need to know before applying
Understanding the structure helps avoid the most common mistake: applying to the wrong programme
Grant funding in IT and AI is organised across several layers. The first layer consists of large EU framework programmes (Horizon Europe, Digital Europe Programme), where key priorities are set once every few years. The second layer covers instruments of the European Innovation Council (EIC), which are specifically oriented towards technology commercialisation. The third layer includes bilateral and thematic programmes (USAID, GIZ, sector-specific foundations). The fourth layer is national and government programmes, such as Ukraine’s Brave1 cluster.
Each layer targets a different stage of technology development. To identify which grant fits your project, you need to determine its Technology Readiness Level (TRL).
Technology Readiness Levels (TRL): why this matters
This scale determines which programmes you can apply to and what level of funding is realistic
The TRL scale runs from 1 to 9. At levels 1-3, a technology exists only as a scientific concept or laboratory prototype. At levels 4-6, it is being validated, first in controlled conditions and then in real-world environments. Levels 7-9 describe systems that have demonstrated market readiness or are already commercialised.
Most Horizon Europe research grants target TRL 1-4 (fundamental science and early prototypes). EIC Pathfinder focuses on TRL 1-4 (breakthrough concepts). EIC Accelerator targets TRL 5-8 (a product that has been tested and is preparing for market entry). Confusing these levels is one of the most common reasons for rejection. A startup with a market-ready product applying to a basic research programme, or vice versa, will have minimal chances of success.
Another key distinction is the form of support. A standard grant is non-repayable funding. EIC Accelerator additionally offers an equity component through the EIC Fund, meaning the EU may take a minority stake in the company. Some programmes require mandatory co-financing from the applicant.
Startups and technology businesses
Programmes for companies developing technology and preparing to reach the market
EIC Accelerator 2026
1. EIC Accelerator 2026
Organiser: European Innovation Council (EIC) | eic.ec.europa.eu · Who can apply: Startups and SMEs from EU and associated countries, including Ukraine
The EIC Accelerator is the EU’s flagship programme for technology companies with breakthrough innovations. In 2026, priority thematic areas include artificial intelligence, particularly applications in healthcare, climate solutions, industrial automation and cybersecurity. The programme has two components: a grant element (up to €2,500,000, non-repayable) and an investment element (up to €15,000,000 via an equity stake by the EIC Fund). Companies may opt for the grant-only component or combine both. The key requirement is to demonstrate market potential and technology scalability at TRL 5 or above. Ukrainian companies registered in the EU or with a legal entity in an associated country can participate on equal terms with companies from EU member states.
| Grant: | up to €2,500,000 (+ up to €15,000,000 investment) |
| Deadline: | Multiple rounds in 2026 (main deadline: 4 November 2026) |
EIC Pathfinder 2026
2. EIC Pathfinder 2026 – funding for breakthrough ideas
Organiser: European Innovation Council | eic.ec.europa.eu · Who can apply: Researchers, research groups, companies and consortia
EIC Pathfinder funds research and development at early stages, where a technology has not yet undergone initial validation. Unlike the Accelerator, market readiness is not required here – what matters is the boldness of the scientific concept. Open thematic areas in 2026 include: breakthrough AI technologies (including neuromorphic computing, explainable AI, AI agents), quantum computing, advanced semiconductor engineering and materials for future IT systems. Applications are open to both individual organisations (EIC Pathfinder Individual) and consortia of 3 or more partners (EIC Pathfinder Collaborative). Also, Ukrainian organisations can participate as full partners in a consortium.
| Grant: | up to €4,000,000 (collaborative) / up to €3,000,000 (individual) |
| Deadline: | 12 May 2026 (open competition) |
ODEON
3. ODEON – grants for AI and IoT solutions in energy
Organiser: ODEON programme (Horizon Europe) · Who can apply: SMEs, startups, technology companies from any country
ODEON (Open Data Enabled Optimization Networks) is a focused grant competition under Horizon Europe that specifically funds the development and validation of energy services based on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT – devices that collect and transmit data in real time). Priority areas include demand-side energy management solutions, flexible grid management and renewable generation optimisation. The competition is open to companies from all countries, meaning Ukrainian businesses can apply directly. The budget of a single grant is sufficient to finance a full prototype development phase or a pilot deployment of a solution.
| Grant: | up to €60,000 |
| Deadline: | 9 July 2026 |
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SMEs and innovative businesses
Programmes for small and medium-sized companies engaged in digital transformation or IT product development
Digital Europe Programme
4. Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL)
Organiser: European Commission | digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu · Who can apply: Businesses, public bodies, universities from EU and associated countries
Digital Europe Programme is a separate EU programme from Horizon Europe with a budget of approximately €7,500,000,000 for 2021-2027, funding large-scale deployment of digital technologies across the economy and society. It covers five strands: supercomputing and cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence (including AI testing and experimentation facilities – environments for safely testing AI solutions), cybersecurity, advanced digital skills and broad application of digital technologies in health, agriculture, city management and other sectors. Ukraine is associated with a number of components. Typical supported projects include deployment of AI innovation hubs, development of tools for EU AI Act compliance and cybersecurity infrastructure projects. Grants are generally large and require mandatory co-financing from the applicant.
| Typical grant: | from €500,000 (depending on the call) |
| Deadlines: | Rolling – competitions open in waves throughout the year |
Eurostars 4
5. Eurostars 4 – grants for SMEs in R&D
Organiser: Eureka / Horizon Europe | eurostars-eureka.eu · Who can apply: SMEs conducting their own research and development
Eurostars is an international programme for small and medium-sized enterprises that carry out their own research and development. The main requirement is that the project must be collaborative, involving partners from at least two different participating countries, with an SME as the lead partner. For IT and AI companies developing new algorithms, models or software products with a scientific dimension, this is an accessible route to international funding. Support duration runs up to three years. Funding comes jointly from Horizon Europe and the national agencies of the participating countries. The Eurostars contribution covers up to 50-60% of the total project budget. Ukraine’s associated status within the broader Horizon Europe framework opens the way to participation.
| Grant: | up to €500,000 per SME partner (depending on project budget) |
| Deadline: | Two rounds per year (approximately spring and autumn) |
EU4Business
6. EU4Business / GIZ – supporting SMEs in digital transformation
Organiser: GIZ / EU Delegation in Ukraine | giz.de · Who can apply: SMEs in processing, logistics, creative and technology sectors
EU4Business is implemented by GIZ (German Development Agency) with EU funding and supports small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine, including in aspects of digitalisation and technological modernisation. Eligible expenditure includes software, automation equipment, IT security consulting and implementation of digital management systems. Competition waves open several times a year and are usually oriented towards specific sectors. The status of the 2026 wave is currently under monitoring (subscribe to GetGrant updates to stay informed).
| Grant: | €10,000 – €25,000 (depending on the strand) |
| Deadline: | Monitoring for a new 2026 wave |
NGOs and the media sector
IT and AI are increasingly used in civil society – and donors are funding this work
Organisations working on digital rights, countering disinformation, developing open-source tools or applying AI for social purposes have access to dedicated funding. In this sector, donors focus not on commercial potential but on social impact and organisational sustainability.
Next Generation Internet
7. NGI (Next Generation Internet) – open internet and AI for society
Organiser: NGI / Horizon Europe | ngi.eu · Who can apply: Developers, researchers, NGOs, startups from EU and associated countries
NGI is an umbrella initiative of the EU under Horizon Europe that funds the development of open technologies for the next generation of the internet. Several cascading grant competitions open each year (cascading grants are a funding form where a large project distributes funds among participants through open competitions). Priorities include decentralised platform development, privacy protection, open-source AI, disinformation-fighting tools and digital sovereignty. For organisations working on digital human rights or developing AI tools for civil society, NGI is one of the most accessible routes to international funding. Grants are modest but the requirements and competition level are substantially lower than in large-scale programmes.
| Grant: | from €5,000 to €200,000 (depending on the programme) |
| Deadline: | Rolling – competitions open several times a year |
USAID
8. USAID Competitive Economy of Ukraine – digitalisation for business and NGOs
Organiser: USAID | usaid.gov/ukraine · Who can apply: Businesses and organisations in priority sectors, including IT
USAID implements several programmes in Ukraine covering the IT sector. Competitive Economy of Ukraine is one of the flagship programmes, providing technical assistance, grants and acceleration support to companies and organisations in priority sectors. In 2026, priorities include the IT outsourcing sector, manufacturing industry and women’s entrepreneurship in technology sectors. Grants under this programme primarily support the implementation of digital solutions rather than the development of software products. Finally, competitions are announced through FedBizOpps and the USAID portal.
| Grant: | from $35,000 to $150,000 (depending on the competition) |
| Deadline: | Rolling – new waves announced throughout the year |
Universities and researchers
The largest volume of grant funding for the academic sector in IT and AI is concentrated in Horizon Europe
For universities and research institutions, AI and digital technologies are primarily addressed through Horizon Europe, where a dedicated cluster covers this thematic area. Following Ukraine’s acquisition of associated status in Horizon Europe in 2022, Ukrainian universities and researchers gained the right to participate in competitions on equal terms with partners from EU member states.
Horizon Europe
9. Horizon Europe – Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry and Space)
Organiser: Horizon Europe | ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon-europe · Who can apply: Universities, research institutions, consortia from EU and associated countries
Cluster 4 is one of six research clusters in Horizon Europe and is the most relevant for IT and AI research. Open thematic areas in the 2026-2027 work programmes include: next-generation AI (including trustworthy and explainable AI – systems whose decisions can be understood and verified), human-machine interaction, quantum technologies, photonics, new microelectronics, and cybersecurity. Competitions generally require consortium participation (at least 3 independent organisations from 3 different countries). Ukrainian organisations participate as associated partners with full eligibility for funding. Projects can run from 2 to 5 years. The 2026-2027 work programmes have been published and are available on the Horizon portal.
| Grant: | from €500,000 to €10,000,000+ (depending on project type) |
| Deadlines: | Rolling – individual competitions open throughout 2026 |
MSCA Doctoral Networks
10. MSCA Doctoral Networks – doctoral programmes in AI
Organiser: MSCA / Horizon Europe | marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu · Who can apply: Universities and research institutions in a consortium
MSCA (Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions) is a dedicated strand of Horizon Europe supporting researcher mobility. Doctoral Networks allow universities and companies to form joint doctoral training programmes in a specific thematic area. For IT and AI research, such networks are being actively formed: they fund 5-20 doctoral positions, where each researcher rotates between partner universities and companies. Also, the main condition for participation is that a university may not lead in a network where it is already strongly represented (mobility rule). Finally, For universities, participation means a grant to cover doctoral researchers’ salaries, training events and secondments over 3-4 years.
| Grant: | from €1,500,000 per consortium (5-20 doctoral researchers) |
| Deadline 2026: | November 2026 (indicative, annual competition) |
Government and national programmes
Two key domestic instruments directly relevant to IT and AI development
Brave1
11. Brave1 – government cluster for defence technology and AI
Organiser: Ministry of Digital Transformation, MoD, NSDC | brave1.gov.ua · Who can apply: IT companies, startups, NGOs, individual researchers based in Ukraine
Brave1 is Ukraine’s only government cluster that systematically funds development in the defence technology space. Active thematic areas include unmanned aerial systems with AI components, target recognition and intelligence data processing systems, battlefield management software, cyber defence and secure communications solutions. Brave1 grants are available to both companies and individual developers. Also, the application process runs through the Brave1 platform, with proposals reviewed by expert committees. In addition to direct grants, the programme offers access to test ranges, expert review and fast-track procurement through the Ministry of Defence.
| Grants: | from UAH 100,000 to UAH 8,000,000+ (depending on the project) |
| Deadline: | Rolling – competitions open by thematic strand |
eRobota
12. eRobota – digital equipment and digital services for businesses
Organiser: Ministry of Economy, Diia | diia.gov.ua · Who can apply: Sole traders (FOP) and legal entities in Ukraine
The eRobota programme includes several strands where digital technology is an eligible expenditure category. Also, under the “Own Business” (Vlasna Sprava) and “New Level” (Novyi Riven) grant strands, entrepreneurs can include software procurement, automation equipment, point-of-sale and trade equipment with built-in software management in their budgets. For IT services companies or digital product businesses, eRobota is a resource for financing operational development rather than new product R&D. Important note: eRobota grants carry job creation and social insurance contribution requirements, making them more suitable for existing businesses than for early-stage startups without a team.
| Grants: | UAH 250,000 – UAH 8,000,000 (depending on the strand) |
| Application: | Via the Diia application (in waves throughout the year) |
Summary table: IT and AI grants 2026
| Programme | Amount | Deadline | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| EIC Pathfinder | up to €4,000,000 | 12 May 2026 | Researchers, startups, consortia (TRL 1-4) |
| ODEON (AI-IoT in energy) | up to €60,000 | 9 Jul 2026 | Startups, SMEs in AI and IoT |
| EIC Accelerator 2026 | up to €2,500,000 (+ €15M inv.) | 4 Nov 2026 | Startups and SMEs (TRL 5-8) |
| NGI (Next Generation Internet) | €5,000 – €200,000 | Rolling | Developers, NGOs, researchers |
| EU4Business / GIZ | €10,000 – €25,000 | Monitoring | SMEs: digital transformation |
| Eurostars 4 | up to €500,000 / SME | 2 rounds/year | SMEs in international R&D projects |
| Digital Europe Programme | from €500,000 | Rolling | Businesses, public bodies, universities |
| USAID Competitive Economy | $35,000 – $150,000 | Rolling | Businesses and NGOs in the IT sector |
| Horizon Europe – Cluster 4 | from €500,000 | Rolling | Universities and consortia |
| MSCA Doctoral Networks | from €1,500,000 / network | Nov 2026 | Universities (doctoral programmes) |
| Brave1 | UAH 100K – 8,000K+ | Rolling | IT companies and defence tech developers |
| eRobota (digital expenditure) | UAH 250K – 8,000K | Waves via Diia | Sole traders and legal entities in Ukraine |
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