Malta AI funding · 2026
Malta businesses can access substantial public funding for AI and digitalisation projects in 2026 — reducing upfront investment and accelerating adoption. From the new €15M Digitalise Your SME scheme to Xjenza research grants and Malta Enterprise business development funding, we identify the right route and handle the entire application for you.
Open schemes
Malta's flagship SME digitalisation grant. Budget tripled to €15M for Call 2. Explicit AI top-up of €107,000 for AI projects — totalling €235,400 maximum. Co-financed by European Funds. Open to all sectors.
A €4,000 lump sum grant (80% of costs) for an external AI-focused business review or digital business plan. Neural AI is a registered advisory provider — start your AI journey fully funded.
Xjenza Malta's third call for digital innovation research grants. AI is Priority Area 1 with 7 sub-areas. Up to €225,000 per project for 24-month research programmes. Consortium applications welcome.
Cash grants and tax credits for digital transformation projects. AI software, systems, and consulting are eligible costs. Up to €300,000 covering 75% of costs. Business RE-engineering and Digital Transformation is a named eligible category.
Annual tax credits for micro enterprises and self-employed investing in business technology. Investment costs (including AI tools and software) are eligible. Ideal for startups and small teams making their first AI investment.
Cash grants and tax credits for industrial research and experimental development. AI product development, ML model research, and proprietary AI systems all qualify. EUREKA Network endorsement unlocks additional support.
How it works
We review your business, industry, and proposed AI project to identify which Malta funding schemes apply and what the realistic grant value would be.
We prepare your complete application — business case, technical specification, eligible cost schedule, and all required supporting documents.
We submit the application, track its progress with the funding body, and respond to any queries or additional information requests.
We build the AI solution and prepare any post-completion reports required for grant disbursement — including the productivity and ethical AI reports for Digitalise Your SME Call 2.
FAQ
For most Malta SMEs, the Digitalise Your SME scheme (Fondi.eu) is the strongest option — up to €235,400 in non-repayable grants, no sector restriction, and Call 2 opens July 2026 with a dedicated AI top-up. If your project involves genuine R&D (developing new AI models or systems), Xjenza's Digital Innovation Programme (up to €225,000, deadline 1 July 2026) or Malta Enterprise's R&D scheme may be more appropriate.
Yes. Neural AI's AI development, consulting, and implementation fees are eligible costs under all Malta funding schemes we work with. We structure our project agreements and invoices to meet the documentation requirements for grant claims.
For most Malta funding schemes, you must apply and receive approval before incurring the costs you wish to claim. Starting the AI project before grant approval typically makes those costs ineligible.
Stacking multiple grants on the same costs is not permitted. However, you can sometimes apply different schemes to different components — for example, Business Reports for SMEs to fund an initial AI assessment, then Digitalise Your SME for the implementation.
Call 2 of the Digitalise Your SME scheme (opening 1 July 2026) includes an explicit AI component worth up to €107,000 in additional grant, administered by MDIA. This brings the total maximum support to €235,400. The AI top-up is disbursed one year after project completion, subject to submission of a productivity gains report and an ethical AI and societal well-being report — both of which Neural AI prepares as part of project delivery.
The Business Reports for SMEs scheme provides a €4,000 lump sum grant (80% of costs) for a formal business report from a registered advisory provider. Neural AI is registered as an advisory provider under this scheme.
Free · No commitment
Book a free 30-minute consultation with Matthew Galea. We will assess your eligibility, identify the best Malta funding route, and outline exactly what your AI project could look like with grant support — at no upfront cost.
