What EU Funds Can SMEs Access in 2026 for Software and Automation
2026 — The Best Year to Digitalise Your Company with European Money
If you have been postponing your company’s digitalisation due to costs, 2026 is the year when that excuse no longer holds. Non-repayable European Funds available for Romanian SMEs cover between 50% and 90% of the cost of a software, automation, or artificial intelligence project — and some programmes even offer completely free services.
The context is favourable: Romania has received, through the PNRR and the 2021–2027 cohesion funds, significant allocations for digital transformation, and regional programmes are launching new funding sessions in 2026 dedicated to non-IT SMEs wishing to adopt digital solutions. At European level, the Digital Europe programme and the EDIH (European Digital Innovation Hubs) network support the adoption of AI, cloud, and software automation in small and medium-sized enterprises.
This article presents, in plain terms, all funding sources available in 2026, with amounts, eligibility conditions, and access steps — so you can choose the right programme for your company.
1. PNRR – SME Digitalisation: Grants of €20,000–€100,000
The PNRR Component 9 programme has already funded thousands of digitalisation projects in Romania, with non-repayable grants between €20,000 and €100,000 and an aid intensity of 90% (own contribution: only 10%). Eligible expenditure for software and automation:
✅ ERP, CRM, WMS, BI, reporting software licences
✅ RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and process automation solutions
✅ Chatbots and conversational AI Agents
✅ Implementation, configuration and integration services with existing systems
✅ Hardware and ICT infrastructure (under certain conditions)
✅ Consultancy, training and staff education
SMEs that did not access the PNRR in the previous session can monitor the launch of new sessions or access alternative programmes that are active in 2026, described below.
2. PoCIDIF – Smart Growth, Digitalisation and Financial Instruments Programme
PoCIDIF (formerly PIDS) is the main operational programme dedicated to digitalisation and innovation in Romania for the 2021–2027 period, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. It has two relevant funding lines for SMEs seeking software and automation:
Action 2.1 — Direct grants of €500,000–€3,000,000: Aimed at SMEs with an ICT NACE code that develop innovative products, services, or applications based on AI, IoT, AR/VR, or robotics. Guidelines are under public consultation in 2026.
Action 2.4 — Free digitalisation through EDIH hubs: Any SME, regardless of sector, can benefit from digitalisation services covered up to 100% (maximum equivalent of €150,000 in services) through European digital innovation hubs.
PoCIDIF calls are launched through the MySMIS2021 system, and updated guidelines can be consulted on oportunitati-ue.gov.ro and mfe.gov.ro .
3. Regional Programmes 2021–2027 (RP): Grants of €15,000–€200,000 per Region
Each development region in Romania has its own Regional Programme with axes dedicated to SME digitalisation. Sessions are launched in stages, with active or upcoming calls in 2026:
| Regional Programme | Amount per project | 2026 Status |
| PR Centru (Alba, Brașov, Covasna, Harghita, Mureș, Sibiu) | €15,000–€200,000 | Call 2 in public consultation, submission est. Jun–Aug 2026 |
| PRBI (Bucharest–Ilfov) | Up to €200,000 | Call 1.7 active in 2026 |
| PR Nord-Vest (Cluj, Bihor, Bistrița etc.) | €15,000–€200,000 | Calls estimated for 2026 |
| PR Sud-Est, Sud-Muntenia, Vest etc. | Variable, €10,000–€200,000 | Calls in preparation / launch in 2026 |
Funding intensity ranges from 70% to 100% of eligible expenditure, depending on company size (micro, small, medium) and geographic location. The company’s primary NACE code must be non-IT for most regional calls and PNRR.
4. DIH4Society and the EDIH Network — Free Digitalisation for SMEs
The European Digital Innovation Hub DIH4Society launched multiple selection calls in 2026 (including Call 5) through which SMEs can benefit from completely free digitalisation services, financed through the Digital Europe Programme and PoCIDIF. Services offered include:
🔹 Digital audit and digital maturity assessment
🔹 Testing and validation of AI, RPA, cloud, and IoT solutions
🔹 Personalised technological consultancy
🔹 Access to testing infrastructure and specialised expertise
🔹 Support for accessing other European Funding sources
Romania has several accredited EDIH hubs (DIH4Society, Green eDIH, Digital Innovation Zone North-East, FIT EDIH, etc.), each with periodic calls. Access is free and open to all eligible SMEs from the respective regions.
5. Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL)
At European level, the Digital Europe programme funds projects for the adoption of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud, and digital skills. The total budget allocated amounts to hundreds of millions EUR annually, with calls active in 2026 (e.g., DIGITAL-2026-AI-DATA-10, DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-10).
Although direct access for an individual SME is more challenging, Romanian companies can participate through consortia with European partners or through EDIH hubs in Romania, which are connected to the European Digital Innovation Hubs ecosystem.
How to Choose the Right Programme for Your Company
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Choosing the right programme depends on several factors:
▶ The region where your company is registered (determines the accessible regional programme)
▶ Your main NACE code (non-IT for most regional programmes and PNRR)
▶ Company size: micro (under 9 employees), small (10–49), medium (50–249)
▶ Type of solution desired: standard software (ERP/CRM) vs. innovative solution (custom AI/RPA)
▶ Urgency: some calls open quarterly, others once a year
▶ Co-financing capacity: minimum 10% own contribution in most programmes
The specialists’ recommendation is to identify 2–3 eligible programmes simultaneously and prepare documentation in parallel, so as not to miss funding windows.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Application Rejection
❌ Generic documentation not adapted to the actual specifics of the company
❌ Incorrectly structured budget — ineligible expenditure included without verification
❌ Technical partner without experience in European-Funded projects
❌ Lack of a clear implementation and post-project sustainability plan
❌ Late submission or outside the eligibility window
How ROBORA Can Help: From Identifying Funding to Implementing the Solution
ROBORA is your end-to-end strategic partner for accessing European Funds and implementing software and automation solutions. Through our dedicated Non-Repayable Funding service, we support you at every stage:
🔹 We analyse your company’s eligibility and identify the right funding programme (PNRR, regional RP, PoCIDIF, EDIH etc.)
🔹 We prepare all technical and financial documentation required for application submission
🔹 We design and implement eligible IT solutions (ex: RPA, AI Agents, ChatBot, CRM, software integrations)
🔹 We manage the project from submission to final reporting, ensuring compliance with funder requirements
🔹 We provide post-implementation support and continuous optimisation of delivered solutions
With ROBORA, you pay as little as 10% of the cost of digitalising your company — the rest is covered by non-repayable European Funds!
👉 Our Non-Repayable Funding Service: https://robora.io/en/non-refundable-funds/
👉 All ROBORA Services: https://robora.io/en/services/
📩 Contact us today for a free eligibility analysis of your company: https://robora.io/en/contact-us/
Conclusion: The Funds Are Available — Act Now
In 2026, Romanian SMEs have access to a wide range of European Funding programmes for software and automation: from PNRR grants of €20,000–€100,000, to regional programmes of €15,000–€200,000, to completely free EDIH services, and PoCIDIF programmes of hundreds of thousands of euros for innovative solutions.
EU-funded digitalisation is no longer a privilege of large corporations. It is a real opportunity, available now, for any Romanian SME that acts in time!
