Funding
Don't pay full price — your AI project may be grant-funded.
Digitalisation and skills grants can cover a substantial share of AI implementation costs — how much depends on the programme, region and company size. We help you pick the programme, assess eligibility and prepare the technical part of the application: project description, architecture and budget. Your team or a grants adviser handles the formal submission.
Updated:
Dig.IT status — 28 July 2026
The pilot confirmed demand. ARP plans two further calls in 2026.
The pilot received 146 applications requesting PLN 57,280,894.35 in funding. The published list covers 26 funded projects receiving PLN 11,221,918.74.
- The pilot and two new calls are expected to have a combined allocation of PLN 100m.
- Examples on the list include an AI/IoT manufacturing deployment, production and sales automation using AI, and OEE monitoring with process analytics.
- ARP highlights three recurring formal issues: business eligibility, presentation of financial data and complete documentation.
- Semitora’s pre-check covers project fit, technical scope, data, integrations, evaluations and budget. We act as the technical delivery partner; the company or a grant adviser handles the formal application.
25–80%
FENG / SMART Path
The SMART Path call for SMEs closed on 31 March 2026. The programme funds R&D projects leading to innovation — not buying an off-the-shelf model, SaaS or AI tool. Aid intensity depends on the type of work, company size and premiums.
PLN 150–850k
Dig.IT
Digital-transformation grants for SMEs in manufacturing and production services (Agency for Industrial Development, under FENG). A fit for a first AI implementation as part of IT solutions. Up to 50% of eligible costs; at least five closed full financial years required.
up to 90%
KFS 2026
The National Training Fund finances employee training — it may cover AI competences if they fit KFS priorities. Up to 90% for firms with up to 9 employees, up to 70% for larger ones (capped at 200% of the average wage per person). This funds training, not implementation.
What we do — and what we don't
We pick the programme, assess eligibility and prepare the technical part of the application: AI project description, architecture and budget. We're not a grants agency — the formal submission and settlement are handled by your team or a specialist adviser. KFS-funded training must be delivered by a BUR-listed provider; Semitora helps define which competences you need, but is not that provider.
Which programme for which project
A comparison of programmes for AI projects.
| Programme | For whom | What it funds | What it doesn't fund | Typical AI project |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FENG / SMART Path | Companies running R&D | R&D projects leading to innovation; AI deployment as part of the project (25–50% base, up to 80% with premiums) | Buying an off-the-shelf model, SaaS or AI tool "as-is" | A RAG PoC and implementation as an element of R&D work |
| Dig.IT | SMEs in manufacturing and production services; at least 5 closed financial years | Digital transformation and a first AI implementation as part of IT solutions — up to 50% of costs (PLN 150–850k) | Pure R&D with no implementation component — we route those to FENG/SMART | A RAG implementation or automation as part of SME digitalisation |
| KFS 2026 | Employers training staff (up to 90% for firms with up to 9 employees, up to 70% for larger ones) | Employee training — including AI competences if they fit KFS priorities | Neither implementation nor purchase of an AI system — this funds training, not deployment | AI literacy required by the AI Act; training delivered by a BUR-listed provider |
What grants can fund
Typical AI projects for grant funding.
These deployments are the most commonly funded — we match the programme to the project, not the other way round. Amounts and eligibility are always confirmed at the source.
AI readiness audit + AI Act
A diagnosis of processes, data and AI Act risk with an implementation roadmap — the natural first stage of a project.
RAG PoC and implementation
A proof of work and a production system answering from your documents, with sources, on AWS.
Service automation and integrations
Automating chat, e-mail and helpdesk, and connecting AI to ERP, CRM and DMS.
AI competences (AI literacy)
We define the competences the AI Act requires; the KFS-funded training itself is delivered by a BUR-listed provider.
Start with the audit, see RAG implementations, AI for manufacturing and AI Act compliance.
Before you apply
What to prepare for a strong application.
You prepare a strong AI grant application before you submit it: a clearly described process to improve, organised data, measurable ROI and classified AI Act risk. These are the first things the committee assesses — the rest of the application builds on them.
Business process
Which process AI should improve and what problem it solves — the application describes the change, not the technology.
Data
Which documents and data will enter the system, in what state, and who owns them.
ROI metrics
How you will measure the effect: time, cost, quality — the numbers that justify the spend to the committee.
AI Act risks
Risk classification and AI Act obligations for the planned system — closed by an AI Act audit.
The technical part of the application
Technical scope of an AI/RAG deployment — what to describe in the application.
A strong application describes not "we will buy AI" but a concrete system: where the data comes from, what it connects to, how we prove it works, and who maintains it. This is the part the technical contractor prepares.
Data sources
Which documents, databases and systems feed the AI, in what format and condition, who owns them, and whether they contain sensitive data — in manufacturing typically machine documentation (DTR), service manuals, quality procedures and MES data.
Integrations
What the system connects to: ERP, CRM, DMS — and in manufacturing MES and CMMS; APIs and the direction of data flow. Integrations drive the real cost and timeline.
PoC
A proof on your real data before full rollout: what it must confirm and which quality thresholds it has to hit.
Evaluations (evals)
How we measure answer quality and safety: relevance, presence of source citations, hallucination rate — numbers, not impressions.
Maintenance
Who maintains the system after rollout and how: refreshing sources, monitoring quality and cost, and an owner on your side.
Plain-language glossary
Four terms before you apply
FENG / SMART Path
Poland's flagship grant programme (European Funds for a Modern Economy). The SMART Path call for SMEs closed on 31 March 2026. The programme 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.
Go deeper
AI funding and costs — from our blog
FAQ
Funding AI — frequently asked questions.
Dig.IT funds the deployment of digital technology — off-the-shelf software together with its implementation, or bespoke development work; AI/machine learning is one of the eligible areas. An off-the-shelf SaaS subscription is eligible only pro rata to the project period, and the point of the programme is deployment and transformation, not the licence purchase itself. Confirm eligibility in the rules of the current call.
Yes. A RAG system (answers from your company documents with sources) fits digital transformation for SMEs under Dig.IT, or R&D work under FENG / the SMART Path — depending on the programme and the project's nature. Under Dig.IT it counts as deployment within IT solutions; under FENG/SMART as part of research and development.
Your team or a specialist grant adviser prepares, submits and settles the formal application. Semitora is responsible for the technical part: the AI project description, the solution architecture, model selection and the implementation budget. We are not a grants agency — we supply the technical content the application rests on.
At least five: data sources (which documents and in what state), integrations (ERP, CRM, DMS, APIs), a PoC (a proof on real data), evaluations of answer quality and safety, and maintenance after rollout. These justify the spend to the committee and set the real cost — we describe them in the technical part of the application.
Check whether your project qualifies for a grant.
Write to us — we'll send back a preliminary eligibility assessment and point you to the programme that best fits your AI implementation.