How to get up to €20,000 for AI adoption — new EIS grant opens on August 24
2026-08-21 15:59
⚠️ Update: this measure's budget is fully allocated
Applications are no longer being accepted. The government is preparing a new, larger grant with different requirements — get in touch to be among the first to hear when it opens.
On August 24 at 9:00, Estonia is opening a new grant designed specifically to help companies test and adopt AI-based solutions.
The total budget of the measure is €2,000,000, and the maximum grant amount is €20,000 per company — which means the funding will stretch to roughly a hundred companies across Estonia.
What is the AI adoption grant?
You can apply through Ettevõtluse ja Innovatsiooni Sihtasutus (EIS) — the Estonian Enterprise and Innovation Foundation. Unlike the employee training grant, this one doesn't cover staff training — it covers developing and adopting the AI solution itself within your company.
1
Developing an AI product or solution and preparing it for market
Suitable for companies developing their own AI-based product or solution.
2
Integrating AI into an existing product, service, or process
Suitable for companies that want to adopt AI in their existing work processes or solutions.
In both cases, the result must be verifiable — at least at the level of a prototype or test results. In other words, the grant is meant for a solution whose performance can actually be demonstrated.
Who is the grant for?
The program is designed for growing, already stably operating Estonian companies.
The program is designed for growing, already stably operating Estonian companies
✓
The company is registered in the Estonian Business Register
✓
Sales revenue for the last financial year was at least €200,000
✓
The company has not received this grant before, as it can only be received once
✓
If the company belongs to a group, only one company in the group can use the grant
✓
The company's remaining de minimis (VTA) aid balance over the last three years does not exceed €300,000
The grant cannot be used for the following fields of activity:
Primary production of fishery and aquaculture products, and their processing and marketing by the primary producer
Primary production of agricultural products, and their processing and marketing by the primary producer
Direct support of export activities
Use of domestic goods and services in preference to imported ones
How much is the grant?
€20,000
Maximum grant amount
20%
Required co-financing
€2,000,000
Total budget of the measure
Once
The grant can be used once
The grant is paid as a standardized unit cost — €20,000 per project.
Project stages
1
Identifying the need
Determine which processes in the company need improvement and where AI can create the most value — for example in analysis, decision-making, planning/forecasting, or data structuring.
2
Preparing the application
A budget and detailed project description are drawn up in line with EIS requirements — including a description of the use case and planned activities.
3
Submitting the application
The application is submitted through the e-Toetus environment. Grants are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget is exhausted.
4
Developing and testing the solution
The solution is developed and tested to a stage where the result can be verified — at the level of a prototype or measurable test data.
Deadline: the project must be completed within 9 months.
5
Reporting and receiving the grant
Project results and reporting are prepared in accordance with EIS requirements. The grant is then paid out.
Note: the result must also be confirmed with a short video.
Why act quickly?
The budget of the measure is €2 million, with a maximum of €20,000 per company. That means there's room for roughly 100 companies across all of Estonia. Applications aren't judged in a competition — they're processed in the order they're received, until the budget runs out. That's why speed matters.
Frequently asked questions
What if our revenue is slightly under €200,000?
Unfortunately, that's a hard requirement of the measure — revenue for the last financial year must be at least €200,000. If you don't qualify right now, we can discuss other support options during a consultation.
How long does it take to prepare an application?
It depends on the complexity of the project, but it's worth starting now — applications are processed in the order they're received, and the earlier you apply, the better your chances before the budget runs out.
What if the application isn't approved?
The application needs to include a verifiable result — a prototype or test data. As we work together, we can help shape the project so it meets EIS requirements.
Can we get the grant if we already use some AI tools?
Yes — the grant covers both developing a new solution and integrating AI into an existing product, service, or process.
Where to start?
We've helped dozens of companies prepare their applications for funding support. Book a free consultation with Henri Nõmm, our CEO and AI consultant, soon — together we'll figure out which AI solution fits your company best, and prepare your application as early as possible.