The European Commission has launched two new funding calls under Horizon Europe - with a total budget of €307.3 million for AI and key digital technologies.
What to expect in this issue
- Deep Dive - €300+M investment in AI by the EU
- StartMatch News - Everything new on our website
- FörderRadar - New and expiring grants
In our Deep Dive, we regularly present a financing or funding topic in detail. Today:
The European Commission launched two new funding calls in early January 2026 under the Horizon Europe program, with a total budget of €307.3 million for research and innovation in artificial intelligence and related technologies.
The funds are divided into two major funding areas:
Focus on the development of trustworthy AI systems, innovative data services, and strengthening Europe's strategic digital autonomy.
Funded projects include areas such as AI, robotics, quantum or photonics technologies, and virtual worlds.
A portion (over €40 million) is reserved for the Open Internet Stack Initiative. This means: both application-level and foundational technology development to strengthen European digital infrastructure.
Funding for projects on next-gen AI agents, industrial and service-oriented robotics, and new materials with enhanced sensor capabilities.
The goal is to strengthen Europe's technological sovereignty, meaning less dependence on non-European providers.
Eligible applicants include companies, research institutions, public administrations, and other organizations from EU member states and associated countries.
The submission deadline is April 15, 2026.
For companies and research teams working at the intersection of AI, robotics, data services, and digital systems, these are attractive opportunities to finance larger, cooperative projects.
In the hectic day-to-day business, some things unfortunately fall by the wayside. For us, it was the redesign and expansion of our website.
We've now changed that 😊
Our new website is live! At www.startmatch.ai you can now find everything about StartMatch:
You can also book a free consultation with us directly and easily.
Important news about grants in Austria.
Praktika für Schüler:innen 2026
Open since 26.01.2026 - Submission deadline 31.12.2026
FORTE Ausschreibung 2025
Submission deadline only until 06.03.2026
Expedition Zukunft START 2025/2
Submission deadline only until 17.03.2026
Best of luck with your projects!
Best regards,
Robert & your StartMatch Team 👋
Robert Kopka
StartMatch Founder & CEO
The aws First Incubator combines a non-repayable grant of up to €55,000 with a twelve-month support program - for people right at the start of their founding journey. Call #2 runs until June 23, 2026.
With Energy Research 2026, the BMIMI funds technical and societal solutions for the green transformation – €100,000 to €2M is possible per cooperative R&D project.
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