Funding for women entrepreneurs

GAL Tezaurul Câmpiei Mureșene — L805/L815 – Setting up non-agricultural activities by women and/or young people

GAL Tezaurul Câmpiei Mureșene funds non-agricultural start-ups run by women and/or young people: 320,000 euro allocated, max. 32,000 euro per project, 100% support. Online submission on afir.ro until 6 October 2026, 23:59.

until 6 October 2026

European Prize for Women Innovators 2027 (EIC and EIT, Horizon Europe)

An EIC and EIT prize totalling €420,000, with up to €100,000 for women founders or co-founders of innovative companies from the EU and from countries associated with Horizon Europe, including Romania. You apply individually, as a natural person, by 1 December 2026.

until 1 December 2026

LAG Valea Prutului — Start-ups for young people and women in the LAG Valea Prutului territory

Open call for proposals from LAG Valea Prutului for start-ups run by young people and women in the territory. Submission deadline: 7 October 2026. Details are in the documents in the Active calls section.

LAG Ialomița de Jos (GAL Ialomița de Jos) — L805/L815 – Non-agricultural start-ups for young people and women in the LAG Ialomița territory…

GAL Ialomița de Jos is launching its call for non-agricultural start-ups (young people and women), with 70,000 euro allocated and 100% support. Online submission on afir.ro from 5 October 2026 to 3 November 2026, 23:59.

from 5 October 2026

GAL Drumurile Bistriței — L805/L815 (EAFRD Intervention no. 5) – Investments in non-agricultural activities…

GAL Drumurile Bistriței call for non-agricultural investments with women and/or young people as direct beneficiaries. Allocation 150,853 euro, max. 50,000 per project, 65%. Online submission 15 October–13 November 2026.

from 15 October 2026

GAL Zona Luț, Șar, Câmpie — I3 – Encouraging young people and women to set up or diversify…

GAL Zona Luț, Șar, Câmpie is accepting projects for Intervention I3 (young people and women, new businesses), call window 1/2026, on gal.afir.ro, between 18 October 2026 and 16 November 2026. The allocation is not stated in the announcement.

from 18 October 2026

GAL Vrancea Sud-Est — I.4 – Non-agricultural investments for women and/or young people (aged 18-30)

GAL Vrancea Sud-Est is opening I.4 (non-agricultural start-ups for women and/or young people aged 18-30): 96,634 euro, max. 50,000 euro per project, 100%. Online submission 21 October–19 November 2026.

from 21 October 2026

LAG Leader Colinele Moldovei — L805/L815 – Rural start-up

LAG Colinele Moldovei funds rural start-ups: 250,000 euro allocated, up to 50,000 euro per project, 100% support. Code L815 (economic operations with women and/or young beneficiaries). Online submission until 17 October 2026.

until 17 October 2026

BID portfolio guarantees for SMEs — 70–80% guarantee for new loans of up to 10 million lei

BID guarantees 70% of SMEs' new bank loans for investment or working capital, up to 10 million lei per transaction. Start-ups, women-owned or women-led businesses, and innovation and sustainability projects receive 80%. You apply through the partner banks.

LAG Țara Zarandului (GAL Țara Zarandului) — L806 – Supporting rural businesses (with secondary coding L815)

GAL Țara Zarandului opens call L806 for rural start-ups on 22 October 2026, with 298,000 euro allocated and a maximum of 22,900 euro per project at 100%. Online submission closes on 20 November 2026, 23:59.

from 22 October 2026

PoCIDIF — Support for innovative technology projects (Measure 1.1.2)

PoCIDIF grants of 53.17 million euro for innovative technology projects carried out in partnership by SMEs and public-law research organisations. There are two calls, one for the more developed region and one for the less developed regions. Applications are submitted in MySMIS2021 until 16 October 2026, o

until 16 October 2026

LAG Colinele Iașilor — APC2 (L806) – APC2 Entrepreneurship in the community

LAG Colinele Iașilor funds innovative non-agricultural activities (micro-enterprises, small enterprises, PFA/II/IF, medical practices). Allocation 58,087 euro, 65% support, online submission 17 September–16 October 2026.

until 16 October 2026

LAG Leader Colinele Moldovei — L806 – Investments in the development of non-agricultural enterprises

LAG Colinele Moldovei funds investments in non-agricultural enterprises: 233,000 euro allocated, up to 80,000 euro per project, 65% support. Online submission on afir.ro until 17 October 2026, 23:59.

until 17 October 2026

South-Muntenia Regional Programme — research and innovation in SMEs (pilot call with pre-selection, PRSM/ID/PRSM P1/OP1)

Micro-enterprises and SMEs in South-Muntenia can receive between €30,000 and €100,000 for research and innovation. The call has a budget of €29.88 million. The mandatory pre-selection questionnaire must be completed by 20 October 2026 (extended deadline).

until 20 October 2026

LAG Podu Înalt Vaslui (GAL Podu Înalt Vaslui) — I1 – Setting up businesses in non-agricultural fields

Call 2/2026 for setting up non-agricultural businesses (I1) is open from 25 August 2026 to 23 October 2026, 23:59, after a 30-day extension. The allocation and the maximum amount are not stated in the announcement.

until 23 October 2026

LAG Leader Ialomița Vest (GAL Leader Ialomița Vest) — M5 – Infrastructure for social services in the LAG territory

GAL Ialomița Vest is funding infrastructure for social services (M5): 192,000 euro allocated to the call window, max. 50,000 euro per project, 100% support, online submission on afir.ro from 25 September to 24 October 2026.

until 24 October 2026

GAL Târnava Mică-Bălăușeri-Sărățeni — INT 3 – Development of non-agricultural enterprises

GAL Târnava Mică-Bălăușeri-Sărățeni has opened the INT 3 call for non-agricultural enterprises: 100,000 euro allocated, max. 50,000 euro per project, 65% support. Online submission on afir.ro until 25 October 2026.

until 25 October 2026

North-East Regional Programme 2021-2027 — Investments for the modernisation of micro-enterprises, Call 2 (PR/NE/2026/P1/RSO1.3/2/1)

Grants of 100,000–300,000 EUR for micro-enterprises in the North-East: production or service capacity, new technologies, automation, marketing and digitalisation. Budget: 20.37 million EUR. Submission in MySMIS is open until 28 October 2026, 14:00.

until 28 October 2026

EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2026 — grants for deep-tech research (Horizon Europe)

The European Innovation Council provides up to 4 million euro per project (100% of eligible costs) for high-risk research on three themes: energy harvesting, healthy ageing and cognitive AI. The budget is 96 million euro. The deadline is 28 October 2026, 17:00.

until 28 October 2026

LAG Țara Vrancei (GAL Țara Vrancei) — M3 – Short supply chains and local gastronomic points

Non-agricultural start-ups of local producers in the territory of GAL Țara Vrancei, funded with a lump sum of 30,000 euro on the basis of a business plan. Allocation of 150,000 euro, online submission until 28 October 2026, 23:59.

until 28 October 2026

GAL Pădurile Dacice — FSE/000/1/1/2026 – Socio-educational services in the territory „Pădurile Dacice-Siretul…

GAL Pădurile Dacice is funding socio-educational services for vulnerable children in 14 UAT in Vrancea and Galați with 968,130 euro. Project sheets are to be submitted by 28 October 2026, 23:59.

until 28 October 2026

PoCIDIF 2.1 — new digital services and products

Grants of 200,000–3,000,000 euro (hardware) or 200,000–1,500,000 euro (software) for ICT SMEs and start-ups developing innovative products. The budget is 48,813,278 euro, and submission in MySMIS2021 has been extended until 30 October 2026, 17:00.

until 30 October 2026

Modernisation Fund — stand-alone battery storage installations

The Ministry of Energy is offering 150 million euro from the Modernisation Fund for new stand-alone battery storage installations owned by companies with CAEN code 35. The aid covers up to 100% of eligible costs, with a maximum of 69,000 euro/MWh and 15 million euro per company.

until 30 October 2026

PoCIDIF 1.3.2 — advanced-skills specialists from abroad for RDI excellence groups

SMEs and research organisations can receive PoCIDIF funding to bring in specialists from abroad and build RDI excellence groups around them. The call has 13,351,703 euro. The deadline has been extended until 30 October 2026, 17:00.

until 30 October 2026

PoCIDIF 1.4 — training research-development-innovation (RDI) employees in SMEs and research organisations

PoCIDIF 1.4 call worth 13,761,318 euro for training employees who work in RDI and technology transfer. SMEs, micro-enterprises and research organisations can apply until 30 October 2026, 17:00. The guide was amended by MIPE Order no. 1489.

until 30 October 2026

PEO — ALMA Initiative: training, placements in another EU state and employment for NEET young people (action 2.a.2)

A competitive PEO call worth €19,714,235 (ESF+) for projects that prepare NEET young people, arrange a supervised work placement of 2–6 months for them in another EU state and then support them to find a job or return to education. Submission in MySMIS2021 until 30 October 2026.

until 30 October 2026

I3 Instrument Strand 2a (I3-2026-INV2a) — interregional innovation investments in less developed regions

An EISMEA call worth €30.2 million (ERDF) for interregional consortia bringing mature innovations (minimum TRL 6) to market in less developed regions. Projects usually receive €2–10 million, with 70% funding. Third-party SMEs can receive up to €100,000 each.

until 12 November 2026

State aid scheme for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles for road and rail freight transport, maritime and inland waterway transport (Modernisation Fund)

Grants from the Modernisation Fund of up to 18 million euro per undertaking, for transport operators replacing lorries, freight locomotives or vessels with zero-emission vehicles. Five calls are open in MySMIS 2021 until 16 November 2026.

until 16 November 2026

MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 — doctoral networks with universities and companies (Horizon Europe)

The MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call has €593 million for more than 130 doctoral programmes run by international consortia of universities, institutes and companies, with around 1,950 doctoral candidates. Proposals are submitted on Funding & Tenders by 24 November 2026.

until 24 November 2026

e-Mobility RO, sub-measure 1 — charging stations for electric vehicles on motorways, expressways and TEN-T national roads

Non-refundable state aid of up to 100%, from the Modernisation Fund, for fast and ultra-fast charging stations on motorways, expressways and TEN-T national roads. The call has a budget of €49.5 million, and applications are submitted in MySMIS 2021 until 27 November 2026, 23:59.

until 27 November 2026

Creative Europe MEDIA 2027 — European slate development for production companies (CREA-MEDIA-2027-DEVSLATE)

Independent audiovisual production companies that already have internationally distributed works can receive between €90,000 and €510,000 from EACEA to develop 3–5 films, series or documentaries. The estimated budget is €22,374,320, and the deadline is 1 December 2026.

until 1 December 2026

New European Bauhaus 2026 (Horizon Europe) — neighbourhood regeneration, call HORIZON-NEB-2026-01

The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-NEB-2026-01 has €101.1 million for neighbourhood regeneration, across 9 topics. International consortia can receive between €3.5 and €6.3 million per project. The deadline is 1 December 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time).

until 1 December 2026

SME Fund 2026 (Ideas Powered for Business) — vouchers for patents, plant varieties and geographical indications

SME Fund 2026, managed by EUIPO for the European Commission, gives SMEs vouchers for patents (maximum €1,000 for a national patent and €2,500 for a European one), for plant varieties (maximum €1,500) and for craft and industrial geographical indications (maximum €2,000).

until 4 December 2026

SME Eco-Tech — grants for the green and digital transformation of SMEs

MEDAT programme funded from the second Swiss contribution, for micro-enterprises and SMEs in trade, services and production. It offers a grant of up to 40% (no more than 267,240 lei), plus a bank loan of at least 60%, for digitalisation, energy efficiency and green technologies.

until 30 December 2026

PoCIDIF 6.1 — digitalisation services through EDIH hubs for SMEs and town halls

The 7 European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) in Romania receive €20.9 million from PoCIDIF 6.1 to provide digitalisation services to SMEs, mid-caps and town halls. For SMEs, the aid covers up to 100%, with a maximum of €220,000 over 3 years.

until 30 December 2026

Digital Europe — cybersecurity (ECCC, call DIGITAL-ECCC-2027-DEPLOY-CYBER-11)

ECCC call under Digital Europe, with €96 million across seven cybersecurity topics. AI4SME has €20 million for AI solutions aimed at SMEs, with €3–5 million per project and 75% funding for SMEs. The deadline is 14 January 2027, 17:00 CET.

until 14 January 2027

Creative Europe MEDIA 2027 — video games and immersive content (CREA-MEDIA-2027-DEVVGIM)

Video game studios, XR studios and audiovisual production companies can receive up to €200,000 (lump sum, 60%) to develop narrative games and immersive experiences. The budget is €13.5 million. Submission is open until 2 February 2027.

until 2 February 2027

Creative Europe MEDIA 2027 — TV and online content: series, animation and documentaries (CREA-MEDIA-2027-TVONLINE)

Independent European audiovisual production companies, including from Romania, can receive between €70,000 and €2,000,000 (lump sum) from EACEA for animation, documentaries and TV and online fiction. The budget shown for 2027 is €23.3 million.

until 10 February 2027

EDIP — strengthening defence production capacity, second call (EDF-EDIP-P-2027-LS-IRA)

The European Commission's second EDIP call has €275 million for companies in the EU and Norway that are increasing their defence production. The lump-sum grant covers 35% of costs, with the possibility of reaching 50%. Maximum €20 million (electronic components) or €30 million (platforms) per project.

until 16 February 2027

PR South-East 2021-2027, Action 1.5 — industrial parks (call PRSE/1.5/A/1/2026)

Call PRSE/1.5/A/1/2026 has €60 million for industrial parks in the South-East Region. Park administrators and founders, including local authorities (UAT), can apply. Non-refundable funding is €0.5–10 million per project, and applications are submitted until 26 February 2027.

until 26 February 2027

Horizon Europe — Excellence Hubs 2027: regional innovation ecosystems in Widening countries

A €100 million Horizon Europe call for regional innovation ecosystems in Widening countries, including Romania. Consortia of universities, companies, authorities and civil society can receive €1.5–4.5 million per project (70%). Submission is open until 4 March 2027.

until 4 March 2027

Just Transition Participation Fund (FPTJ) – a STEP financial instrument managed by the EIB

A loan in RON from EIB partner banks, with 0% interest on 70% of the amount and a grant of up to 50% (principal reduction) once the investment is completed. For new investments in strategic STEP technologies in Dolj, Gorj, Prahova, Mureș, Hunedoara and Galați.

EIC Accelerator 2026 — grant and investment for deep-tech start-ups and SMEs

EIC Accelerator funds deep-tech start-ups and SMEs with a grant of up to 2,499,999 euro (maximum 70% of costs) and an equity investment of 1–10 million euro through the EIC Fund. The 2026 budget is 634 million euro.

EIC STEP Scale Up — equity investments of €10–30 million for deep-tech scale-ups (Horizon Europe)

The EIC invests €10–30 million in the equity of SMEs and small mid-caps (fewer than 500 employees) in digital, clean or biotechnology fields that attract a funding round of €50–150 million. 2026 budget: €300 million, next deadline: 25 November 2026.

IMM INVEST PLUS and IMM PLUS refinancing — 80% FNGCIMM guarantee for working capital loans

Companies with working capital loans under IMM INVEST PLUS or IMM PLUS can refinance their balance as at 31 December 2025, up to 5,000,000 lei, for a maximum of 36 months. FNGCIMM guarantees up to 80%, no more than 4,000,000 lei, with a fee of 1.7%–2.65% per year.

State aid scheme for products with a trade deficit in the manufacturing industry (HG no. 486/2026)

State aid from the Ministry of Finance, in the form of a grant or tax credit, for SMEs and large enterprises with initial investments of at least 50 million lei in the manufacturing industry. The first call window has 759 million lei.

from 15 October 2026

DR-12 AFIR — consolidation of holdings of established young farmers and farmers up to 45 years of age

On 6 October 2026 AFIR opens the DR-12 call window, with €169.59 million. Established farmers up to 45 years of age and former sM 6.1 beneficiaries can receive up to €200,000 per project, with 80% or 65% non-refundable. Applications can be submitted until 2 December 2026, 16:00.

from 6 October 2026

European Startup and Scaleup Hubs (Horizon Europe) — European networks of deep-tech hubs, pilot call

A €40 million Horizon Europe pilot call for two European networks of deep-tech start-up and scale-up hubs, €20 million each, with 50% co-financing. Each consortium has at least 10 hubs from 10 countries, of which at least two are from Widening countries.

from 6 October 2026

Horizon Europe — "Proof of market": commercialisation of research results by start-ups and SMEs

The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49 gives €200,000 to each small consortium of spin-offs, start-ups and SMEs that wants to commercialise results from Cluster 4 or Horizon 2020 LEIT projects. The total budget is €5 million.

from 13 October 2026

Horizon Europe Cluster 4 INDUSTRY 2027 — advanced materials and industrial production

Three Horizon Europe Cluster 4 INDUSTRY calls, with €310.8 million, for advanced materials and industrial production. Consortia of companies, SMEs, start-ups, universities and institutes receive between €200,000 and €12.5 million per project.

from 13 October 2026

Horizon Europe Cluster 1 Health — 2027 calls (HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01 and HORIZON-HLTH-2027-02)

On 29 October 2026 the European Commission opens the 2027 Horizon Europe health calls: 14 topics, €528.2 million in total, between €3 and €11 million per project. International research consortia, hospitals, companies and public authorities can apply. Deadline: 17 February 2027.

from 29 October 2026

Horizon Europe Cluster 4 — DIGITAL 2027 call (HORIZON-CL4-2027-04): AI, data, robotics and virtual worlds

The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL4-2027-04 "DIGITAL" has €272 million across 11 topics: artificial intelligence, data, robotics and virtual worlds. Projects receive €1.5–44 million. Single-stage submission opens on 17 November 2026 and closes on 18 March 2027.

from 17 November 2026

Horizon Europe Cluster 6 — two-stage calls 2027 (circular economy, water, plant health)

Two two-stage Horizon Europe Cluster 6 calls have €63 million across five topics: circular economy, water and plant health. Consortia receive €5–6 million per project. The calls open on 4 February 2027, and stage 1 closes on 8 April 2027.

from 4 February 2027

Horizon Europe Cluster 5 — climate, energy and mobility (2027 calls opening in 2026)

Four Horizon Europe Cluster 5 calls (climate, energy, mobility) for 2027, with 30 topics and around €530 million, open between 17 November and 15 December 2026. You apply in European consortia, and the first deadline is 4 March 2027.

from 17 November 2026

MSCA Staff Exchanges 2027 — staff exchanges between universities, institutes and companies (Horizon Europe)

The MSCA Staff Exchanges 2027 call (HORIZON-MSCA-2027-SE-01-01) has an indicative budget of €95.04 million for secondments of 1–12 months of researchers and technical, administrative or management staff between universities, institutes and companies in different countries.

from 15 December 2026

e-DRIVE — replacing the fleets of businesses and passenger transport vehicles with zero-emission vehicles

A scheme of 56.9 million euro from the Modernisation Fund. It funds up to 100% of eligible costs for M1, M2 and M3 electric vehicles replacing polluting vehicles. The scheme has been approved (OMTI 742/2026, 817/2026), but the guide and the calls have not yet been published.

Diaspora Investește Acasă — BID grant and guarantee for new companies of Romanians in the diaspora

De minimis grant of up to 60% of the investment loan, maximum 200,000 euro, plus a BID guarantee of up to 80% of the loan, for companies less than 3 years old that are majority-owned by Romanians from the diaspora. The programme is currently being made operational.

PRO INFRA — raw materials, materials and products for transport infrastructure

State aid from the Modernisation Fund (budget of 100 million euro, up to 15 million euro per beneficiary) for companies that produce raw materials, materials and products for transport infrastructure projects. The scheme is approved, but the call has not been launched.

PR South-West Oltenia 2021-2027 – Support for the development of strategic technologies (STEP)

Grants of 500,000–10 million euro for companies and research organisations in Oltenia that develop or produce critical STEP technologies: digital/deep-tech, clean technologies and biotechnologies. The guide was open for public consultation until 27 August 2026.

e-MOVE RO — charging infrastructure for zero-emission mobility

Non-refundable state aid of 262 million euro from the Modernisation Fund for electric charging stations for fleets and the public, with photovoltaics and storage. It is awarded through competitive tenders. The scheme has been approved, but the call has not yet been launched.

South-East Regional Programme 2021-2027: Action 1.6, Operation A.1 – Increasing the competitiveness of micro-enterprises in ITI Danube Delta (call PRSE/1.6/A.1/ITI/1/2026)

Grants of 20,000–200,000 euro (90% non-refundable, de minimis aid) for micro-enterprises in the ITI Danube Delta area. The allocation is 4.82 million euro. The guide has been under consultation, and the call has not yet been launched.

PR Bucharest-Ilfov 2021-2027 — Call PR BI P1/1.1/1/2026: Support for developing an innovative conceptual model (Proof of Concept)

De minimis grants of 50,000–200,000 euro, up to 100% of the eligible value, for SMEs in Bucharest-Ilfov that validate an innovative product, process or service concept (from TRL 3 to TRL 4–5). The guide was under consultation until 4 July 2026.

South-East Regional Programme 2021-2027 — Digitalisation of SMEs in the South-East Region (Action 1.3)

Competitive PR South-East call, Action 1.3, worth about 9.09 million euro for the digitalisation of urban and rural SMEs in Brăila, Buzău, Constanța, Galați, Tulcea and Vrancea. The guide has not yet been published, and the launch depends on the approval of the de minimis scheme.

PDDTJ Priority 8 — STEP scheme: loans with a grant for critical technologies in 6 counties

Companies in Gorj, Hunedoara, Dolj, Galați, Prahova and Mureș that invest in critical STEP technologies can take out loans of between 300,000 and 50 million euro. 70% of the loan carries zero interest, and up to 50% of the amount can be written off once the investment is completed.

Modernisation Fund — new biofuel production capacity (bioethanol, SAF, HVO)

State aid from the Modernisation Fund (Key Programme 8) for companies building new bioethanol or SAF+HVO capacity in Romania. It covers up to 70% of eligible costs, and the estimated budget is 500 million euro.

Innovation Fund IF26 Heat Auction — auction for decarbonising industrial heat

The second European Economic Area-wide auction for industrial process heat has €1 billion from the Innovation Fund. Companies of any size can take part if they replace fossil fuels with electrification, solar or geothermal heat, or nuclear.

Innovation Fund IF26 — call for SMEs with small-scale decarbonisation projects

A new Innovation Fund call (IF26) for SMEs with small-scale decarbonisation projects, with CAPEX between €2.5 and €20 million. The planned budget is €200 million. It will be published in December 2026, and the indicative deadlines are at the end of March and the end of September 2027.

TechUp România — state aid for research and production in advanced technologies (HG 643/2026)

The TechUp România scheme has a budget of 5.313 billion lei (2026–2032) and funds companies that carry out research and development in advanced technologies and then take the results into production. Eligible costs are between 5 and 50 million lei. Submission has not yet opened.

Creative Europe 2027 — European cooperation projects and the circulation of literary works

On 22 September 2026 the European Commission announced a budget of €402 million for Creative Europe in 2027, the final year of the programme. Two calls are coming for publishers and cultural organisations: literary translation (autumn 2026) and European cooperation, worth €61 million (Q1 2027).

PEO — support for employers: childcare for children aged 0–6 and flexible working arrangements (actions 3.c.1 and 3.c.2)

PEO call of 17,166,293 euro from the ESF+ for employers in less developed regions. It funds, as de minimis aid, childcare facilities for children aged 0–6, partnerships with childcare providers and flexible working arrangements. The guide is under consultation.

Regional Participation Fund (FPR) — EIB loans with a 40% grant for SMEs in the North-East, South-East and Bucharest-Ilfov

The EIB manages €233.35 million from the PR North-East, South-East and Bucharest-Ilfov for SME loans of up to €5 million over a maximum of 84 months: 70% at zero interest and a 40% grant if the investment is completed on time. The partner banks have not yet been announced.