EU funds of over 300 million EUR for developing AI technologies in Romania and Moldova in 2026

Substantial investment in artificial intelligence for the business and academic communities

The European Union is opening a new funding stage dedicated to stimulating projects that involve artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and related fields, allocating more than 300 million euro for 2026. This measure directly targets companies in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, as well as universities and public institutions active in research and innovation.

The context and importance of EU funds for AI

Amid growing interest in digitalisation and automation, European funding is a vital boost for local businesses that want to position themselves competitively on the global smart technologies market. Access to funds speeds up research and development, supports innovation and creates opportunities for strategic partnerships between the private sector and academia.

These funds arrive at a time when artificial intelligence is becoming an essential driver of productivity growth and process optimisation across a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and services to the public sector and education. By supporting AI projects, the European Union aims to give the region a competitive advantage, encouraging the development of a solid ecosystem that produces local solutions with global impact.

Who can access the funding and what applying involves

The eligible beneficiaries included in this funding scheme are:

• Innovative companies from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, regardless of their size;
• Universities and public institutions involved in research and development in AI-related fields;
• Organisations and consortia that can demonstrate the capacity to implement technology projects in the field of artificial intelligence.

Registration is done exclusively online, in a process that involves uploading a detailed business plan or project, justifying eligibility and presenting your own contribution to developing the proposed solutions. The European Commission will assess proposals on the criteria of innovation, economic impact, technological feasibility and sustainability.

Next steps for entrepreneurs and institutions

Interest in this funding needs to be turned into action quickly. The main steps that companies and institutions should follow are:

• Monitoring calls for proposals and submission deadlines;
• Preparing solid, coherent documentation that clearly explains how the proposed project uses AI to deliver added value;
• Identifying strategic partners or mentors to increase your chances of securing funding;
• Consulting EU funding experts to optimise your proposals and ensure compliance with the specific regulations.

Long-term impact and outlook

By allocating more than 300 million euro to AI technologies, the EU is building a bridge between European funding and the digital transformation of local economies. Beneficiaries of this initiative will be able to speed up the development of prototypes, products and services based on artificial intelligence, and in doing so respond better to the demands of the European and global markets.

Moreover, the involvement of universities and public institutions promotes knowledge transfer and strengthens local skills in the field of AI. This can lead to greater professionalisation and encourage an entrepreneurial spirit in sectors with medium- and long-term growth potential.

In conclusion, these funds are not just a financial opportunity but also a catalyst for developing a sustainable technological innovation ecosystem in the region, with a direct impact on economic competitiveness and quality of life.

Want to find out what non-refundable funding you can access?

The Todos Company team helps you with the whole process: from checking eligibility and calculating your score, to preparing the application file and submitting the project.

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