Semitora.

21 June 2026

AI grants in Poland 2026: FENG, Dig.IT and KFS without the bureaucratic noise

Most companies that write to us about an AI grant already have the project in mind. They know what they want to deploy — the budget is the blocker. That makes it a good moment to check funding, but here’s the bad news: most grant guides are bureaucratic noise that never answers the one question that matters — does my specific AI project qualify?

Below are three programmes that can realistically fund an AI implementation in a company in 2026. No generalities. Each fits a different situation, and in two of them a costly misunderstanding is easy to make.

Call status changes. As of 21 June 2026, the PARP SMART Path call for SMEs is closed, the Dig.IT pilot call has ended, and KFS runs through local labour-office calls until funds are exhausted. Before we recommend a programme, we check the current schedule.

Three programmes, three different situations

FENG / SMART Path — when you have a novelty element

Poland’s flagship grant programme (European Funds for a Modern Economy). In the current call it funds R&D projects leading to innovation — aid intensity depends on the type of work, company size and premiums (25–50% base, up to 60–80% with premiums). And here’s the catch the guides stay quiet about: this is not the track for buying an off-the-shelf model, SaaS or AI tool. An AI deployment qualifies only as part of an R&D project leading to an innovation.

If you want to roll out an existing model or a SaaS subscription with no novelty element, this is probably not your programme. If you’re building something the market doesn’t have yet — it may be ideal.

Dig.IT — the cleanest fit for a first implementation

Digital-transformation grants for SMEs in manufacturing and production services (Agency for Industrial Development, under FENG). Scope: PLN 150–850k, up to 50% of eligible costs. This is a fit for a first AI implementation as part of IT solutions — no mandatory R&D. One condition: at least five closed full financial years.

For most companies that simply want to deploy AI in a process (rather than invent a new technology), Dig.IT will be a simpler route than SMART Path.

KFS — for training, not implementation

The National Training Fund finances employee training — it may cover AI competences if they fit KFS priorities and the role’s duties. It covers up to 90% of the cost for firms with up to 9 employees and up to 70% for larger ones (capped at 200% of the average wage per participant). And here’s the first important condition: it’s a grant for training people, not for deploying a system.

The second condition, key from 2026: KFS-funded training must be delivered by a provider listed in the BUR development-services registry. The old training-institution register (RIS) no longer applies here. Not everyone who runs training can deliver it under KFS — check this before you sign anything.

The most common mistake: confusing an implementation grant with a training grant

This is a mistake that costs months. A company applies expecting to “get a grant for AI,” only to find the chosen programme funds something other than what it needs:

These two needs often go together, but different programmes fund them, with different rules.

Four terms, no noise

FENG / SMART Path — Poland’s flagship grant programme (European Funds for a Modern Economy). In the current call it funds R&D projects leading to innovation; an AI deployment qualifies as part of such a project, not as buying a ready-made tool. Funding depends on the type of work and premiums (25–50% base, up to 80% with premiums).

Dig.IT — digital-transformation grants for SMEs in manufacturing and production services (Agency for Industrial Development, under FENG). PLN 150–850k, up to 50% of costs. A fit for a first AI implementation in a company.

KFS — the National Training Fund. Co-funds employee training (up to 90% for firms with up to 9 employees, up to 70% for larger ones). From 2026 the course must be delivered by a provider listed in the BUR development-services registry. This funds training, not implementation.

Eligibility (kwalifikowalność) — whether a given cost can be covered by the grant. The key question before applying: not every AI cost (e.g. a SaaS subscription) is eligible in every programme.

What Semitora does — and what it doesn’t

Let’s say it plainly, because a lot of grant firms promise everything. We are not a grants agency. We help with what we know — the technical part:

The formal submission and settlement are handled by your team or a specialist grants adviser. With KFS we help define which AI competences your team needs — but we don’t deliver the training itself as a BUR-listed provider.

Next step

If you have an AI project and you’re wondering whether it qualifies — write to us. We’ll send back a preliminary eligibility assessment and point you to the programme that best fits your implementation. Programme details: funding page.