Example 1
Automate customer service
AI phone handling, chat and CRM-backed support for faster, more reliable answers.
Funding options for your business – clearly explained.
Find grants, loans and tax incentives for digitalisation, AI and automation – nationwide in Germany and in your federal state.
These are German federal, state and EU programmes. They are generally only available to companies based in Germany, or with a registered office or business site there – state programmes require a location in that state.
As of 7 Aug 2026
19programmes reviewed
16state programmes
3nationwide routes
Direct links only lead to official programme pages (in German).
Funding types and typical use cases are explained in plain terms.
Always check the programme rules and project start before placing an order.
Your digitalisation project
Funding starts with a clear project.
Programmes don’t fund the buzzword AI, but concrete investments, external services or in-house development work. What matters is the goal, the costs, the location and the right timing.
Discuss your digital project, no obligationExample 2
Process documents and quotes
Capture quotes, invoices, forms and emails automatically and pass them on for further processing.
Example 3
Connect business processes
Bring ERP, CRM, specialist systems and internal workflows together with custom software.
Check nationwide options first
BAFA, KfW and the research allowance
The three nationwide routes for consulting, larger digital investments and in-house development.
Until 31 Dec 2026
BAFA – Förderung von Unternehmensberatungen
BAFA subsidy for business consulting · Consulting · Consulting & strategy
Funding
50% or 80%
Independent preliminary analysis and digital strategy before implementation.
Available on an ongoing basis
ERP-Förderkredit Digitalisierung (511/512)
KfW/ERP digitalisation loan · Loan · Digitalisation & AI
Funding
3–5% grant in LevelUp/HighEnd
Larger digitalisation projects that need financing.
Available on an ongoing basis
Forschungszulage
Research allowance (R&D tax incentive) · Tax incentive · Research & development
Funding
25%, 35% for SMEs
In-house technical product development with demonstrable uncertainty and development work.
Always check the application before the project starts. Even an order, a contract or a binding commission can count as starting the project early.
Funding finder
Major federal programmes and key state funding
Choose your federal state. BAFA, KfW and the research allowance are shown automatically alongside the matching state programme.
Last reviewed: 7 Aug 2026
19 matching programmes
Nationwide and all states
Available on an ongoing basisFederal
Forschungszulage
Research allowance (R&D tax incentive)
Tax support for in-house research and experimental development – including software and AI products.
Funding
25%, 35% for SMEs
Maximum
Assessment base up to €12 million
Best suited for
In-house technical product development with demonstrable uncertainty and development work.
Note: First obtain an R&D certificate from the BSFZ, then apply to the tax office.
Available on an ongoing basisFederal
ERP-Förderkredit Digitalisierung (511/512)
KfW/ERP digitalisation loan
Finances hardware and software, digital processes, business models, data projects and AI.
Funding
3–5% grant in LevelUp/HighEnd
Maximum
Loan up to €25 million, grant up to €200,000
Best suited for
Larger digitalisation projects that need financing.
Note: Apply through your bank before the project starts; not a pure grant.
Until 31 Dec 2026Federal
BAFA – Förderung von Unternehmensberatungen
BAFA subsidy for business consulting
Grant towards external business consulting, for example on strategy, processes and digitalisation.
Funding
50% or 80%
Maximum
Up to €1,750 or €2,800
Best suited for
Independent preliminary analysis and digital strategy before implementation.
Note: Covers consulting costs up to €3,500, not the technical implementation.
Next deadline 31 Aug 2026State / ERDF
Spitze auf dem Land!
Innovation investment programme for rural areas
Investment support for particularly innovative SMEs in rural Baden-Württemberg.
Funding
20% small / 10% medium-sized
Maximum
€200,000–€400,000, in some cases up to €500,000
Best suited for
Larger innovative investments at an eligible rural location.
Note: High minimum funding and strict requirements on location and innovation.
Ongoing until 2027State
Digitalbonus Bayern
Bavarian digitalisation bonus
Supports digital systems and IT security; the Plus tier also covers particularly innovative AI, data and robotics projects.
Funding
Up to 50%
Maximum
€7,500 Standard / €30,000 Plus
Best suited for
Small businesses based in Bavaria with a clearly defined digitalisation project.
Note: Small businesses only; the project must not have started before the application.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basisState / ERDF
Pro FIT – Projektfinanzierung
Pro FIT project financing for technology R&D
Finances technology research, development and market launch projects in Berlin.
Funding
Up to 80% depending on phase
Maximum
Grant up to €500,000, loan up to €1 million
Best suited for
Your own new technology or software with technical development risk.
Note: No funding for routine software roll-outs or pure consulting.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basisState / ERDF
Brandenburgischer Innovationsgutschein BIG-Digital
Brandenburg innovation voucher for digitalisation
Supports consulting, implementation and training for comprehensive digitalisation projects.
Funding
Up to 50%
Maximum
Implementation up to €250,000, consulting/training up to €50,000
Best suited for
Larger process digitalisation, software roll-outs and training in Brandenburg.
Note: The project must deliver a real step change in digitalisation.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basisState / ERDF
FEI – Forschung, Entwicklung und Innovation
Research, development and innovation programme
Supports innovative R&D projects and process innovation by companies in the state of Bremen.
Funding
Project-dependent
Maximum
€150,000 single / €250,000 collaborative
Best suited for
In-house technical development with recognisable innovation risk.
Note: Routine digitalisation is not enough.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basisState / ERDF
PROFI Transfer Plus
Collaborative R&D programme with research institutions
Supports collaborative R&D projects between Hamburg companies and research institutions.
Funding
Project-dependent
Maximum
Up to €2 million
Best suited for
Ambitious product development with a university or research institute.
Note: A research partner and a business site in Hamburg are required.
Outlines accepted on an ongoing basisState
Distr@l
Hesse’s digital innovation and technology transfer programme
Supports innovative digital technologies, research and knowledge or technology transfer in Hesse.
Funding
Depends on funding line
Maximum
Depends on funding line
Best suited for
Your own digital innovation that goes well beyond the state of the art.
Note: The general DIGI grant has been closed since June 2026.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basisState
Förderung von KI-Anwendungen
Funding for AI applications
Supports the introduction and development of AI applications in businesses, for example in service, planning, logistics or administration.
Funding
Up to 50%
Maximum
Up to €50,000
Best suited for
A concrete AI application in a company with no more than 50 employees.
Note: Minimum project volume €15,000; registered office or business site in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basisState / ERDF
Niedrigschwelliges Innovationsförderprogramm (nIFP)
Low-threshold innovation programme for SMEs and skilled trades
Supports SMEs and skilled trades with experimental development and process and organisational innovation.
Funding
35%, up to 45% for small firms in transition regions
Maximum
Up to €100,000
Best suited for
Your own innovative products, methods or larger new internal processes.
Note: Not for a mere roll-out of standard software; process projects must reach a substantial volume.
Monthly lotteryState
Mittelstand Innovativ & Digital – Digitalisierung
MID digitalisation grant for SMEs
Since 2026, mainly supports the development and further development of marketable digital products.
Funding
Up to 50%
Maximum
Up to €15,000
Best suited for
SMEs in NRW with their own digital product or product-related development.
Note: General internal ERP, CRM or DMS roll-outs are usually not the focus.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basisState / ERDF
Investitions- und Strukturbank-Förderung (IBI-EFRE)
ISB investment grant for SMEs
Supports larger business investments by SMEs in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Funding
20% small / 10% medium-sized
Maximum
Up to €5 million
Best suited for
Large investment in a site, production or capacity.
Note: Minimum grant €50,000, which implies high minimum investments. Retail is often excluded.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basisState
DigitalInvest KMU
Digital investment grant for SMEs
Supports digital systems, IT security and more ambitious AI or automation projects.
Funding
50% small / 30% medium-sized
Maximum
€12,500 Basic / €20,000 Plus
Best suited for
ERP, CRM, DMS, automation or AI in SMEs in Saarland.
Note: Check the funding catalogue and eligible costs carefully before placing any order.
Regionally limitedState / ERDF
Digitalisierung Zuschuss EFRE 2021–2027
ERDF digitalisation grant 2021–2027
Supports the introduction and transformation of digital business processes, products and services.
Funding
Up to 60% introduction / 50% transformation
Maximum
Up to €100,000
Best suited for
SMEs in Leipzig, the district of Leipzig or North Saxony.
Note: Since 17 Jul 2026, open to new applications only in the three regions named.
Next round opens 28 Sep 2026, 1 pmState / ERDF
DIGITAL INNOVATION
Digitalisation and IT security grant
Supports the development and implementation of digital processes, products, business models and IT security.
Funding
Up to 50%
Maximum
Up to €70,000
Best suited for
Concrete digitalisation or AI roll-out with a project volume of at least €6,000.
Note: The last allocation is closed; the next application round has been announced and is limited to 90 applications.
Guideline in force since 2026State / ERDF
Digitalisierung von kleinen Unternehmen (DKU)
Digitalisation of small businesses
Supports consulting and implementation for CRM, DMS, ERP, BI, cloud, data migration, training and IT security.
Funding
Up to 40%
Maximum
€8,000 consulting / €80,000 implementation
Best suited for
Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees in Schleswig-Holstein.
Note: Whether individual standard solutions are eligible depends on how the project is scoped.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basisState / ERDF
InnoInvest
Innovation investment grant
Supports innovative investments, including digital and AI-powered business solutions.
Funding
Tiered investment grant
Maximum
Up to €200,000
Best suited for
Software, machinery or processes that deliver a clear leap in innovation and productivity.
Note: Minimum investment €5,000; the grant amount depends on the investment volume.
State and ERDF programmes
One lead programme per federal state
For example, DigitalInvest KMU in Saarland. Depending on the state, the focus is on digitalisation, innovation, research or larger investments.
From idea to funded project
Four steps that decide eligibility
- 1
Define the project
Describe the goal, costs, timeline and the concrete step forward in digitalisation clearly.
- 2
Check the programme
Compare location, SME size, eligible activities, combinations and deadlines.
- 3
Apply before you start
Don’t commission or order anything until the programme’s rules allow the project to start.
- 4
Keep your evidence
Document quotes, invoices, hours, payments and project results in full.
FAQ
What to know before you apply
When can the project start?
Usually only after the application or written confirmation. The specific guideline always applies; even placing an order can count as starting.
Can several programmes be combined?
Partly, yes – as long as the same costs aren’t funded twice and state-aid limits are respected. Combinations have to be checked programme by programme.
Are consulting and implementation funded together?
Some state programmes have separate modules. BAFA, on the other hand, funds conceptual business consulting, not the technical implementation.
Is standard software eligible?
With digital bonus programmes, often only as part of a substantial digitalisation step. R&D programmes, by contrast, require your own technical innovation and development risk.
How does InnofyAI help?
We structure the technical project scope, prepare a transparent quote and build the software. Formal funding advice, the application and the funding decision remain with advisory and funding bodies.
Planning an AI or digital project?
Together we clarify the technical project scope and which type of programme could fit in principle. The application and funding approval remain with the responsible body.
Grant
Direct funding of eligible costs
Tax incentive
Relief through your tax assessment
Loan
Financing, partly with a repayment grant
Consulting
Conceptual business consulting via BAFA
Note: This overview is an editorial starting point for companies based in Germany. It is not a funding commitment and not legal, tax or funding advice. Guidelines, budgets and application windows can change at short notice. Before starting a project, always check the linked official source and the responsible funding body. In case of doubt, the German official documents prevail.