Digitisation Funding in Austria: Overview of Funding for Digitisation
Published: August 7, 2024
Reading Time: 11 min
Contents
- Digitalisation Funding in Austria – What you Should Know About Digitalisation Funding
- Digitalisation funding in Austria – These Nationwide Digitalisation Funding Programmes are Available
- Further Digitisation Funding for your Federal State
- Application for Digitisation Funding: This is How the Application Process Works
- Digitise Business Processes & Benefit
Inhalt
- Digitalisation Funding in Austria – What you Should Know About Digitalisation Funding
- Digitalisation funding in Austria – These Nationwide Digitalisation Funding Programmes are Available
- Further Digitisation Funding for your Federal State
- Application for Digitisation Funding: This is How the Application Process Works
- Digitise Business Processes & Benefit
Digitisation Funding in Austria: Overview of Funding for Digitisation
The digitalisation of business processes can make them significantly more efficient and increase a company’s competitiveness. It is therefore worth continuously analysing and optimising internal processes and bringing them up to date.
However, the use of modern, digital solutions is often associated with a higher initial investment. In order to support Austrian companies with digitalisation projects, more and more nationwide and regional digitalisation funding schemes are being launched. In this article, we have summarised the most important information on current digitalisation funding for you.
Digitalisation Funding in Austria – What you Should Know About Digitalisation Funding
The majority of funding is aimed at micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They are categorised according to the number of employees and are based on EU recommendations. However, there are also subsidies that can be applied for regardless of the size of the company.
The type of funding is very diverse. Some of the funding focuses on digitalisation processes such as digital business models, software development, online marketing, e-commerce and IT and cybersecurity. The other part of the funding includes business consulting and training to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of your company.
Subsidies generally have a subsidy rate that is used to calculate the amount of the subsidy. The subsidy rate is either fixed or determined on the basis of factors such as company size and project scope. The maximum funding amount is usually limited in order to give as many companies as possible access to the available funding.
Digitalisation funding in Austria – These Nationwide Digitalisation Funding Programmes are Available
KMU.DIGITAL
KMU.DIGITAL is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW) and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO). The main aim of the initiative is to support SMEs in Austria in the development and implementation of digitalisation projects.
The additional funding programme KMU.DIGITAL & GREEN was introduced for the new funding period.This focuses on the ecological transformation of SMEs with the help of digitalisation. The focus is on 6 sustainability topics:
- Energy efficiency
- Circular economy & resource planning
- Mobility
- Procurement & supply chain
- Communication & strategy
- In-house
For both KMU.DIGITAL and KMU.DIGITAL & GREEN, there are 3 types of digitisation funding to choose from:
- Status and potential analysis: grant of 80% (max. 400 euros/tool)
- Strategy consulting: 50% subsidy (max. 1,000 euros/tool)
- Implementation funding: Grant of 30% (max. 6,000 euros)
If several consulting tools are combined, the maximum funding amount is EUR 3,000.
aws-Digitisation
The digitisation funding from austria wirtschaftsservice (aws) provides support for your digitalisation project. Funding is available for the digitalisation of products, services and processes, e-commerce activities as well as consulting and implementation costs.
The funding can be applied for by companies in the fields of artificial intelligence, material goods production, production-related services and by companies in the “Digitalisation Tyrol” special condition.
The funding is a non-repayable grant of a maximum of 150,000 euros. The project duration should not exceed 2 years. The funding application must be submitted before the project starts. Projects that have already begun before the application is submitted are not eligible for funding.
AI Mission Austria – AI-Start Green
AI-Start Green supports Austrian companies of all sizes in the implementation of first-time AI projects. The funding is aimed in particular at companies focussing on green technologies and sustainable solutions. Funding is provided for consulting and implementation costs in connection with your first AI project (e.g. potential analysis, project planning, implementation of a pilot project, etc.).
The funding is a non-repayable grant. The amount of funding is up to 50% of the eligible costs. The funding amount is capped at a maximum of 15,000 euros.
Applications can be submitted from 1 October 2024 to 30 November 2024. The application must be submitted before the project starts. When submitting your application, please note which projects cannot be funded (e.g. projects that do not take sufficient account of the aspects of green technology and sustainability). An external jury will determine whether your project will be funded.
Skills Cheques 2024
The Skills Cheques 2024 of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) provide funding for vocational training that contributes to a sustainable and/or digital transformation of the Austrian economy. The funding can be applied for by companies based in Austria. In order to receive it, proof of a focus on ecological sustainability or digitalisation must be provided.
Funding is provided for 60% of the external training costs, the maximum funding amount is 5,000 euros. Further training for a maximum of 10 people per company can be subsidised. The training courses may only be provided by recognised training providers. A list can be found on the FFG website.
The Skills Cheques 2024 are de minimis funding. Applications can only be submitted electronically by 28 February 2025 at the latest.
EIC Accelerator – Funding for the Development of Prototypes up to Market Maturity
EIC Accelerator is an EU programme to support the development of prototypes until the product is ready for the market and then the scale-up of the company. The programme is explicitly intended to support profit-oriented companies, although the idea can originate from a research environment.
The submission for funding is made by a single company, but this company must receive support from other companies in the realisation of the project. Funding is provided for 70% of direct costs and 25% of overheads, with a funding volume of between €0.5 million and €2.5 million. For the scale-up, an equity share of up to € 15 million (participation up to max. 25%) is added.
Further Digitisation Funding for your Federal State
Application for Digitisation Funding: This is How the Application Process Works
Please note that this process is not universally valid for all funding programmes. You can obtain detailed information on the application process for your chosen funding programme from the relevant funding agency.
- 1
Choosing the right funding and advice
Firstly, you need to decide which type of funding is best suited to your project (regional or national, loan or grant). Most funding providers offer initial consultations where you can obtain detailed information.
- 2
Developing the project
The more detailed your project is, the better your chances of receiving funding. When preparing the project content, make sure that it meets the requirements of the selected funding programme. As soon as you have compiled all the necessary documents for your project, you can submit an application for funding.
- 3
Application
In most cases, the application must be submitted before the project begins. The application is normally submitted via an online portal. As soon as you have submitted the application, you should receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.
- 4
Review of the application
Your application will first be checked for completeness. If any documents are missing, you will be contacted. A review committee will decide whether your project is accepted or rejected. If your project is accepted, you will receive a funding contract.
- 5
Realisation of the project
Once you have signed the funding agreement, you can start implementing your project. Should there be any changes, we recommend that you inform the funding provider immediately.
- 6
Payment of the grant
Once the project has been completed, you must submit all the required documents for the utilisation of the grant to your provider. These will be checked and compared with the original information in your funding application. Once the review has been completed, you will receive the agreed funding amount.
