Grants and Loans for AI and Digitalization in 2026 – How to Choose a Technology Provider

Which programs are open now

At the end of 2026, a company planning a technology deployment has three main national paths to choose from: a preferential loan with partial write‑off, an R&D grant, and a grant for production digitalization.

The digital and green transformation loan in practice

This is the most attractive instrument for larger AI deployments. Applications are accepted by eight institutions selected by PARP, including ING Bank Śląski and the Industrial Development Agency (ARP). No own contribution is required, and up to 25% of the loan amount can be used for working capital.

The program has two components. The digital one (Industry 4.0) covers automation, robotics, and process digitalization, including artificial intelligence. The green one covers reducing raw material use and waste, as well as digital tools to track the product life cycle (LCA, PEF, carbon footprint).

The conditional write‑off depends on the component and the investment’s location:

Takeaway for AI projects: a purely digital investment outside the designated areas gets no write‑off. Adding a green element – e.g., a module to optimize raw material use or track carbon footprint – can raise the write‑off to 10–15%. It must, however, follow from the company’s real needs and from the audit, not just a desire to boost the write‑off.

Detailed terms, including collateral and interest variant, are set by the Financing Partner with the applicant.

What you can fund: examples of AI and digitalization projects

The best‑funded projects change a specific process and deliver a measurable effect: shorter planning time, fewer downtimes, lower inventory, less scrap. Below are typical scopes that fit current programs well.

In the PARP loan, innovation at company level is key. The implemented solution must mean a new or significantly improved process compared to the baseline. Replacing a system with a similar one or switching from rental to purchase of the same equipment does not meet this requirement.

Why supplier selection determines project success

In a co‑funded project, the technology supplier is responsible for more than a working system. They determine whether expenses are eligible, whether indicators are achieved, and whether the project passes control. Here are the most common risks and what to require from the contractor.

A fair note: a supplier can help define the scope, but not in a way that restricts competition. Requirements in the RFQ should describe needed functions and outcomes, not a specific product from one vendor. That’s how we work at SH – even when we submit an offer ourselves.

Planning a co‑funded project? We’ll prepare the technical scope, pricing, and indicators for your application – in line with program rules. Request a funding‑ready offer →

How SH supports companies in EU‑funded projects

SH (Startup House) is a Warsaw software house and AI implementation firm, operating since 2016, 100% Polish‑owned. A team of about 60 works across two divisions: SH AI Studio (LLM and AI implementations) and SH Industrial (manufacturing, IoT, machine data). We deliver technology that can be financed, settled, and maintained throughout the durability period.

Before the application

• Scoping workshop. We translate business goals into technical scope, architecture, budget, and measurable indicators – in a form ready to copy into the Digitalization Roadmap or project description.
• Baseline diagnosis. We describe current systems and processes so that company‑level innovation is clearly demonstrated.
• Working with your advisor. If a consulting firm runs the application, we collaborate with them directly on the technical section.

Contractor selection

• Offer compliant with procedure. We respond to RFQs in the Baza Konkurencyjności and at Financing Partners, with complete declarations and a cost breakdown by eligible categories.

Delivery and settlement

• Milestones aligned with the application schedule, with acceptance reports and documentation required for settlement.
• Clear rights to the solution. Transfer of rights or a license for the entire durability period; deployment in the client’s cloud or infrastructure.
• Maintenance and evolution throughout the durability period, with SLA and indicator monitoring.
• Subcontracting of development work in R&D projects in AI and data analytics, within the limits set by the call rules.

Ready‑made components that shorten delivery

• Koordynator AI – planning and coordination of production with AI agents; a planner always approves the decision.
• AI Demand Planner – demand forecasting linked to the production and purchasing plan.
• Firmowa warstwa AI – connects data from all company systems in one place and answers management’s questions.
• Compliance Copilot – contractor verification and supply chain audit for NIS2 and DORA.

A ready‑made component doesn’t replace a bespoke project. It does let you show a working prototype faster and realistically estimate the budget before you apply.

How to start: seven steps to a funded deployment

1. Check eligibility. SME status (e.g., in the PARP SME Qualifier), investment location versus the list of 139 towns and municipalities at risk of marginalization, and your available state‑aid limit.
2. Pick one process to change. Planning, forecasting, maintenance, order handling – and determine how you measure its performance today.
3. Run a scoping workshop with a technology supplier. Outcome: architecture, budget, schedule, and indicators measurable from your company data.
4. Prepare the Digitalization Roadmap or Audit and the application. On your own or with an advisor; the cost of the Roadmap or Audit is an exception and may be incurred before the agreement.
5. Select the contractor in line with program rules. In grants – the principle of competitiveness and the Baza Konkurencyjności; in the loan – market prices and no ties with the supplier.
6. Start delivery only after signing the agreement. In stages, with acceptances tied to indicators.
7. Settle and sustain the effect. Keep documentation for 10 years and monitor indicators throughout the durability period.

Offer: AI project for co‑funding

Planning a PARP loan application, a Dig.IT grant, or a SMART Path grant? We’ll prepare the project’s technical section before you apply – so the scope, budget, and indicators pass evaluation, delivery, and settlement.

Your offer will include:

• technical scope and solution architecture, ready to copy into the Digitalization Roadmap or project description,
• a cost estimate broken down by the program’s cost categories,
• a milestone schedule aligned with the application timeline,
• a proposal of measurable indicators and how to measure them using your company data,
• a formal offer for the RFQ in the Baza Konkurencyjności or for the Financing Partner, with a statement of no ties.

What to include in your inquiry:

• the program you want to use – or a request for help choosing,
• the process you want to change and the systems you use today (ERP, MES, others),
• a rough budget and the application deadline,
• the investment location – in the PARP loan it determines the write‑off level.

Already have an RFQ from the Baza Konkurencyjności? Send the link – we’ll respond with a compliant offer.

The SMART Path R&D call ends on 29 December 2026, and ARP may close the Dig.IT call early. Preparing a solid technical scope takes time – don’t leave it to the last week.

Request a funding‑ready offer → · Book a scoping workshop

Contact: hello@startup-house.com

FAQ

Can the digital and green transformation loan finance an AI deployment?
Yes. PARP explicitly lists artificial intelligence, cloud, and predictive analytics among the examples of the digital component (Industry 4.0). The scope must, however, follow from the Digitalization Roadmap.

How much is the loan write‑off?
5%, 10%, or 15% – depending on whether the investment includes only the digital component, the green one, or both, and on its location. A purely digital investment outside the 139 towns and municipalities at risk of marginalization does not receive a write‑off.

Can I start work before signing the agreement?
Loan funds cannot cover expenses incurred before signing the investment agreement. The exception is the cost of preparing the Digitalization Roadmap or the Audit.

Can the technology supplier help with the application?
Yes, with the technical part: scope, architecture, budget, indicators. Contractor selection must still follow program rules, and requirements cannot be written for a single supplier.

When does the principle of competitiveness apply?
In EU‑funded grants 2021–2027 – for procurements above PLN 80,000 net, via the Baza Konkurencyjności. In the loan, procurement rules are set in the agreement with the Financing Partner; purchases from affiliated entities are always prohibited.

Until when can I apply?
PARP loan: until 31 March 2029 or until funds are exhausted. SMART Path R&D: until 29 December 2026. Dig.IT 2/2026: from 2 November 2026, with the option to close the call early.

As of 5 November 2026. Program terms may change – the binding documents are the call regulations and agreements with financing institutions.