Funding and incentives for AI in SMEs
Current state of Portuguese PRR, Portugal 2030 and EU funding calls that support AI, automation and digitalisation projects in small and medium companies operating in Portugal.
Honesty first. MargemX builds the AI, data and automation systems being financed. For technical structuring and implementation, talk to us. For formal dossier drafting, we work with specialist partners.
What is open today
Portugal 2030 - SICE SME Qualification
Business Competitiveness Incentive System track funding SME digital transformation. Covers AI, software, BI, CRM, consulting, certifications.
- Rate
- 40-55%, up to 75% specific sub-types
- Max.
- Per notice
- For
- SMEs in any sector
PRR Notice 08/C05-i14.01/2026 - Agriculture
Agricultural innovation investments in regions affected by calamities. Specific niche.
- Rate
- Per notice
- Max.
- €20M total budget
- For
- Agricultural companies in declared zones
IAPMEI Vale Indústria 4.0
Lightweight voucher for digital diagnostic and transformation roadmap. Confirm current window at iapmei.pt before starting.
- Rate
- 75% non-reimbursable
- Max.
- €7 500
- For
- SMEs mapping their digital roadmap
EDIH - European Digital Innovation Hubs (PT)
Technical services to SMEs (training, test-before-invest, application support) via Portuguese hubs. Not direct cash; subsidised service.
- Rate
- Subsidised or free service
- Max.
- Varies by service
- For
- SMEs exploring AI adoption before applying
Horizon Europe - EIC Accelerator
For startups and SMEs with disruptive product/tech. Combines grant with equity.
- Rate
- 70% grant + equity
- Max.
- €2.5M grant + €15M equity
- For
- Deep-tech startups, SMEs with defensible IP
Eurostars 3
Collaborative international R&D between SMEs from two or more Eureka countries. In Portugal managed by ANI.
- Rate
- Per national rules
- Max.
- €500k typical
- For
- SMEs with international partner and R&D plan
Living table, manually updated. Source data: recuperarportugal.gov.pt, portugal2030.pt, compete2030.gov.pt, iapmei.pt. For binding text, always consult the official notice.
- Notice 03/C05-i14.01/2025 "AI in SMEs" €100M, max €300 000 / project - closed 28/11/2025
- Notice 07/C05-i14.01/2026 "AI in SMEs" republication - closed 21/11/2025
- Notice 06/C05-i14.01/2026 "Reindustrialise" €150M, calamity-affected regions - closed 31/03/2026
- COMPETE 2030 MPR-2026-3 "STEP Productive Innovation Digital" closed 30/04/2026, focused on mid-caps and critical tech
PRR "AI in SMEs" - current status
The PRR "AI in SMEs" line (Notice 03/C05-i14.01/2025 and partial republication 07/C05-i14.01/2026) closed both submission phases on 28 November 2025. As of this page, no new "AI in SMEs" notice has been announced for 2026.
For projects already awarded under Phase I and Phase II, the eligible execution period runs until 30 June 2026. MargemX continues to implement projects approved under these calls.
The PRR 2026 Annual Calls Plan published by the Portuguese government at recuperarportugal.gov.pt does not confirm a new "AI in SMEs" window for the second half of 2026. We track weekly publications and will contact any company that has done a diagnostic with us if the window reopens.
Portugal 2030 - the main active vehicle in 2026
In January 2026 the Interministerial Commission approved the Portugal 2030 Annual Calls Plan: 220 calls, total budget €3.9 billion for SMEs. This is today's main operational instrument for funding digital transformation.
Within Portugal 2030, the SICE Business Competitiveness Incentive System, SME Qualification track directly covers AI, automation and software projects. Eligible areas:
- Software acquisition (CRM, ERP, applied AI platforms)
- Artificial intelligence and predictive models
- Business intelligence, dashboards, data integration
- Specialist consulting for diagnostic and implementation
- Quality system certifications
- Digital sales channels (specific sub-call, €18M budget, closes 30/06/2026)
- Cybersecurity and operational digitalisation
Base co-funding rate: 40-50%. Can reach 55-75% in specific sub-typologies and regions (Norte, Centro, Alentejo). Managing entities: IAPMEI, regional CCDRs, COMPETE 2030 Managing Authority.
Track portugal2030.pt/calls and compete2030.gov.pt/avisos.
Complementary EU funds
- Digital Europe Programme - EDIH: Portuguese European Digital Innovation Hubs offer technical services to SMEs (training, "test before invest", application support). Subsidised or free. List at digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu.
- Horizon Europe - EIC Accelerator: for startups and SMEs with disruptive product/tech. Grant up to €2.5M + equity up to €15M. Semi-annual cut-offs.
- Eurostars 3: collaborative international R&D between SMEs from two or more Eureka countries. In Portugal managed by ANI.
- InvestEU: financing via Portuguese intermediaries (BPF, commercial banks with European guarantee).
How MargemX supports an application
- Eligibility diagnostic (free, 30 minutes). We validate criteria and identify the most suitable instrument. Book in .
- Technical structuring. System architecture, components, measurable indicators, timeline, return metric. Core of the project memo.
- Post-award implementation. We build the system using the methodology in How it works.
Examples of fundable projects
- Construction: tender automation with AI-assisted extraction. See our construction case.
- Hospitality: centralised standards, procedures and per-unit data. See our hospitality case.
- Metalwork and workshops: production, cost-per-project and per-client margin dashboards.
- Healthcare and clinics: assisted triage, intelligent scheduling, automated follow-up.
- Brand and marketing: content agents and campaign automation.
Next steps
- Operational diagnostic with us. 30 minutes, no commitment. We leave with a project map and the right funding instrument.
- Technical structuring (1-2 weeks). Project memo and indicators ready for the chosen instrument.
- Submission via specialist partner (Portugal 2030 or PRR when it reopens).
- Post-award implementation.
This page is informational. Dates, co-funding rates and conditions reflect public information verified in 2026-05-19 at official sources (recuperarportugal.gov.pt, portugal2030.pt, compete2030.gov.pt, iapmei.pt). For binding text, always consult the official notice. MargemX does not replace the managing entity nor guarantee favourable funding decisions.