Artificial Intelligence grants 2026: up to €100,000 to bring AI into Basque industry

Summary

SPRI's Artificial Intelligence 2026 programme offers non-repayable grants covering 60% of eligible costs, up to €100,000 per company, for projects along the AI adoption pathway: strategy, data governance, infrastructure, solutions and training. Applications are approved in the order in which files are completed until funds run out, and the deadline is 2 November 2026, so companies preparing a project have little time left.

SPRI, the Basque Business Development Agency, is accepting applications until 2 November 2026 for its Artificial Intelligence grants, aimed at industrial companies and related service providers with an operating site in the Basque Country. The programme funds applied artificial intelligence (AI) and data strategy projects, from defining use cases to implementation and staff training.

With just over two weeks to go, now is the time to check whether a project qualifies, how the grant is calculated and which documents are required on the official SPRI programme page (in Spanish).

What the Artificial Intelligence 2026 programme is

The regulatory bases published in the Basque Official Gazette (BOPV) on 23 March 2026 (in Spanish) set an initial budget of €11 million, which can be increased by a further €5 million. The Basque Government later set the programme's budget at €14 million as part of increased support for the digital transformation of SMEs.

The grants are non-repayable and fall under the EU de minimis regime. They are awarded on a rolling basis: SPRI decides on each application in the order in which it becomes complete, until the budget is exhausted. The maximum decision period is six months from submission of the complete file.

Which companies can apply

Industrial companies and providers of related services, whether individuals or legal entities of any size, can apply if they meet these conditions:

• They have an operating site in the Basque Country, where the project is carried out and has an impact.
• They are registered for Basque Business Activity Tax (IAE) and up to date with tax and social security obligations.
• They have not received more than €300,000 in de minimis aid over the previous three years.

Excluded entities include members of the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network (RVCTI), public-sector bodies and companies engaged in primary agricultural, fishing or aquaculture production.

"La ayuda no exige recorrer todo el itinerario: basta con encajar en una de sus fases."

Five stages of AI adoption, from strategy to people

Projects must fit into at least one stage of the AI adoption pathway; covering every stage is not required. The first three lay the groundwork:

1. AI and data strategy: maturity assessment, identification of use cases and a roadmap aligned with business objectives.
2. AI and data governance: policies, risk assessment, alignment with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and the Data Act, and certification against standards such as ISO 42001 or the Spanish UNE data governance and quality specifications.
3. Infrastructure and data: sensors and IoT, databases, data-processing environments, interoperability, Business Intelligence dashboards and data spaces.

Jonakoh - Unsplash - Digital rendering of a wave of glowing particles. Organising and preparing data is one of the stages the programme funds.

The next two stages take AI into operations and teams:

4. AI solutions: implementing commercial solutions (RPA automation, natural language processing, machine vision, AI-enabled planning) or developing applied AI such as machine learning, generative AI, digital twins or quantum AI, focused on prediction, optimisation, quality or process support.
5. AI training and leadership: a corporate AI training plan and assessment of staff digital skills.

The programme does not fund basic office software packages, even if they include AI tools, nor products or services from the applicant's own catalogue, except those linked to regulatory compliance or certification.

Funding rates, eligible costs and limits

The grant covers 60% of the eligible base, up to €100,000 per company for one or more projects. Within that limit, the grant for hardware and software licences cannot exceed €80,000. Eligible costs are consulting, engineering, hardware and licences (including SaaS for up to 12 months), incurred or invoiced from 1 January 2026 and executed within a maximum of 12 months.

As in other SPRI programmes, consulting or engineering must account for at least 20% of the eligible base; if not, the base is reduced. The work must be carried out by external expert companies that operate regularly in the project's field. VAT, in-house work, travel and general-purpose office equipment and licences are not eligible.

Zach M - Unsplash - The letters AI in blue relief on a grey textured background. The call funds both commercial solutions and bespoke AI development.

What to prepare before 2 November

Applications are submitted online through SPRI's website with an advanced electronic signature. It is advisable to have ready:

1. A technical and financial proposal of up to 25 pages: company situation, need, tasks, solution and technologies, itemised budget, hours and schedule.
2. Three supplier quotes where costs exceed the public-sector minor contract threshold.
3. A list of de minimis aid received and, for applications above €30,000, the declaration on statutory payment periods.

Once the project is completed, there are 90 calendar days to justify it with invoices, proof of payment and a technical report. Defining the AI project and its eligible budget clearly from the outset therefore avoids later adjustments. With the deadline so close and funds allocated in order of arrival, the practical rule is to submit a complete application as early as possible.

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