AmCham Slovakia

AmCham members have several exciting grant opportunities to consider, ranging from social innovation initiatives to support for startups and industrial research. Below is a summary of the latest available programs:

Support for R&D in Slovakia’s Digital Transformation 2 (2025)

• Eligibility: Public administration, SMEs & large enterprises (with ≥1 R&D project in last 2 years), NGOs, academic & research institutions (with ≥2 R&D projects in last 2 years)
• Provider: Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Slovak Republic – Component 17: Digital Slovakia
• Funding: €300,000 – €2,200,000 per project; total budget €45M; co-financing 25–60% for enterprises, 60% for research organizations
• Deadline: 30 September 2025
• Objective: Support experimental development and innovative applications of digital technologies (AI, supercomputing, VR/AR, IoT, cybersecurity, smart energy systems) to advance Slovakia’s digital transformation

Support for Early-Stage AI Projects (2025)

• Eligibility: SMEs (incl. startups), research & technology organizations, and academic institutions from EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries; applicants may apply individually or in 2-partner consortia; only civil applications allowed
• Provider: Horizon Europe – dAIEDGE Open Call 3/2025
• Funding: Up to €60,000 lump sum per project (15% planning phase, 85% implementation phase); total call budget €600,000 (max. 10 projects); EU co-financing only, no double funding allowed
• Deadline: 14 October 2025, 15:00 (Brussels Time)
• Objective: Support proof-of-concept AI projects (TRL 2–3 to TRL 4–5) addressing industrial challenges, fostering innovative edge AI solutions with positive societal and economic impact in Europe

INTERREG SK-HU: Social Innovations, Education, and Improved Community & Health Services (2025)

• Eligibility: NGOs, municipalities, public institutions, businesses (SMEs), and academia from eligible Slovak regions (Bratislava, Nitra, Trnava, Banská Bystrica, Košice) in partnership with at least one Hungarian partner
• Provider: Interreg V-A Slovakia–Hungary Programme (HU-SK 2021–2027)
• Funding: Total budget €22,402,906; project grants range from €150,000 to €600,000; EU co-financing up to 80% of eligible costs
• Deadline: 15 December 2025, 15:00 CET
• Objective: Support cross-border cooperation projects in social innovation for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, inclusive and quality education, improved family and community healthcare services, and development of cross-border healthcare institutions

Scaling of Proven Educational Innovations

• Eligibility: NGOs, foundations, associations, churches, municipalities, regions, public institutions, research institutions, and private companies (Ltd., JSC)
• Provider: Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic (Slovakia Programme, EU funds)
• Funding: €5 million total; individual grants as non-repayable financial contributions based on project scope and impact
• Deadline: First round – September 1, 2025; second round – November 3, 2025
• Objective: Scale up already tested social innovations in education and upbringing, including competence development, broader deployment of services and products, and transfer of successful solutions from abroad to Slovak conditions

Innovate Now Grant 2025

• Eligibility: Individuals, students, NGOs, academic sector, and entrepreneurs from Slovakia
• Provider: Innovate Now (private initiative under call code Innovate1/2025)
• Funding: Up to €250,000 per project; no limit on the number of supported applicants
• Deadline: August 31, 2025
• Objective: Support innovative business ideas through funding for product development, marketing, branding, website creation, legal services, and go-to-market strategy

ERC Starting Grant 2026

• Eligibility: Individual researchers 2–7 years after PhD (with possible extensions), from any field, applying with a host institution in the EU or associated countries
• Provider: European Research Council (ERC) under Horizon Europe
• Funding: Up to €1.5 million for 5 years (plus up to €1 million for additional costs like relocation or equipment)
• Deadline: October 14, 2025, 17:00 CET
• Objective: Support excellent early-career researchers in conducting pioneering, independent research across all scientific disciplines

AI-Powered Optimization of Industrial Processes (2025)

• Eligibility: Startups and SMEs (with option to include industrial/testing/research partners in a consortium)
• Provider: European Commission – Horizon Europe (Call Code: EU/HORIZON/55/2025)
• Funding: Up to €150,000 per project (70% of eligible costs); total call budget €2 million
• Deadline: September 11, 2025
• Objective: Support AI and data-driven innovations that optimize industrial processes with a focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and Green Deal goals
  

Expanding Investment Ecosystems (2026)

• Eligibility: Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, including at least one from a strong innovation region and one from a moderate/emerging region
• Provider: European Commission – Horizon Europe (Call Code: HORIZON-EIE-2026-01-CONNECT-02)
• Funding: Lump sum grant of ~€1 million per project; total budget €5 million (5 projects expected)
• Deadline: January 20, 2026 (submission opens September 10, 2025)
• Objective: Strengthen long-term partnerships and expand innovation and investment ecosystems by connecting developed and less-developed innovation regions across the EU through market access, international promotion, and investor support activities

ERC Synergy Grants 2026

• Eligibility: Teams of 2–4 Principal Investigators (PIs) from any country; at least one host institution must be in the EU or an associated country
• Provider: European Research Council (ERC), under Horizon Europe
• Funding: Up to €10 million per project for 6 years (+ up to €4 million in exceptional costs)
• Deadline: November 5, 2025, 17:00 CET
• Objective: Support transformative frontier research addressing complex scientific challenges requiring interdisciplinary collaboration and joint effort beyond individual research teams

ERC Starting Grant 2025

• Eligibility: Researchers of any nationality 2–7 years post-PhD (PhD awarded between Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2023) planning to work at a host institution in the EU or associated country
• Provider: European Research Council (ERC), under Horizon Europe
• Funding: Up to €1.5 million for 5 years, with potential additional funding up to €1 million (or up to €2 million in exceptional cases)
• Deadline: October 14, 2025, 17:00 CET
• Objective: Support early-career researchers in establishing their own independent research team and conducting pioneering research in any scientific domain

AI and Big Data for Road Safety (2026)

• Eligibility: Research institutions, universities, tech companies, public authorities, and consortia (including SMEs) working on road safety, data processing, or AI solutions
• Provider: European Commission – Horizon Europe (Cluster 5: Climate, Energy, Mobility)
• Funding: Approx. €5 million per project (lump sum); total €10 million for 2 projects
• Deadline: January 20, 2026, 17:00 CET (opens September 16, 2025)
• Objective: Develop AI and data-driven solutions for proactive road safety by predicting and preventing accidents using data integration, digital twins, real-time interventions, and ethical data use

Generative AI for Robotics and Industrial Automation (2025)

• Eligibility: Research organizations, universities, startups, and industrial companies from EU and associated countries (e.g. UK, Canada, Israel, Korea, New Zealand); consortium required with industrial participation
• Provider: European Commission – Horizon Europe (Cluster 4: Digital, Industry & Space)
• Funding: Up to €40–45 million per project; minimum €10 million for third-party support (FSTP)
• Deadline: October 2, 2025, 17:00 CET
• Objective: Advance generative AI for robotics and manufacturing, focusing on foundational models for robotic perception and decision-making, or trustworthy AI for flexible and automated production systems

EIC Pre-accelerator – Widening (2025)

• Eligibility: Early-stage deep-tech startups from Widening countries developing innovative technologies or business models (min. TRL 4)
• Provider: European Commission – Horizon Europe (Widening Participation & Spreading Excellence)
• Funding: €300,000–€500,000 per startup (covers max. 70% of project costs)
• Deadline: November 18, 2025, 17:00 CET
• Objective: Support deep-tech startups in validating technology, preparing for market entry, securing IP, and developing business growth strategies

New Advanced Tools and Processes for Operational Cybersecurity

• Eligibility: Businesses, academia, NGOs, public administration, and state institutions from EU or Horizon Europe-associated countries
• Provider: European Commission – Horizon Europe (Call Code: EU/HORIZON/53/2025)
• Funding: €4.5–6 million per project; total budget €23.55 million (4 projects expected)
• Deadline: November 12, 2025
• Objective: Strengthen EU cybersecurity resilience through development and pilot deployment of advanced technologies, crisis frameworks, SOC/CSIRT capacities, and support for innovative SMEs and startups

Financial Support for Innovative Startups (2025)

• Eligibility: Startups and SMEs in idea, prototype, or early customer stage
• Provider: CEE Startup Network (Call Code: SV/1/2025)
• Funding: Up to €25,000 + expert consulting and marketing support
• Deadline: September 14, 2025
• Objective: Boost international growth of innovative businesses through product development, marketing, and networking opportunities

Innovative AI Projects in Industry, Telecom, and Pharma (2025)

• Eligibility: Startups, SMEs, research institutions, and public-private consortia focused on AI in industry
• Provider: European Commission under Horizon Europe (Call Code: HORIZON-CL4-2025-03)
• Funding: Up to €250,000 in phase 2; up to €2 million in phase 3; total €13 million available
• Deadline: October 2, 2025 (Phase 1 application)
• Objective: Support generative AI solutions in aerospace, pharma, and telecom, focusing on automation, human-robot collaboration, sustainability, and predictive systems

Support for Reducing Emissions from Air Pollution Sources (2025)

• Eligibility: Public sector, NGOs, municipalities, and businesses operating large or medium stationary air pollution sources (except in Bratislava region)
• Provider: Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic (Call Code: PSK-MZP-033-2025-DV-EFRR)
• Funding: €37.7 million total; co-financing varies by company size (55–75% from EFRR)
• Deadline: Until funds are exhausted; next cutoff: August 31, 2025
• Objective: Reduce air pollutant emissions from stationary sources through technological upgrades and dust reduction measures

• Eligibility: Slovak academic institutions and legal entities eligible for business, registered in the Register of Public Sector Partners
• Provider: Government Office of the Slovak Republic (Grant Code: PK 2/2025)
• Funding: €200,000 to €10 million per project; total budget €90 million (phased 2025–2027); funding intensity up to 80%
• Deadline: Rolling until budget exhaustion; projects must end by December 31, 2027
• Objective: To support R&D in robotics and automation, including AI applications, intelligent systems, and enterprise integration platforms

• Eligibility: State sector, universities, public research institutions, non-profits, businesses
• Provider: Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic
• Total Allocation: €24,000,000
• Project Support: Up to €800,000
• Deadline: TBD
• Objective: Enhance business sector innovation and competitiveness through industrial research and experimental development. The initiative supports collaboration between enterprises and research organizations to increase private sector R&D spending.

Horizon Europe – Green Deal Innovations 

• Eligibility: Industry, research institutions, education organizations, start-ups, and SMEs eligible under Horizon Europe. 
• Provider: European Commission under the Horizon Europe Programme. 
• Funding: €500,000 to €2 million per project; cascade funding system applies. 
• Deadline: April 30, 2025; July 31, 2025; October 31, 5; January 31, 2026. 
• Objective: Support innovations that contribute to the European Green Deal, focusing on sustainability, climate action, and environmental protection. 

Digital Europe Programme – Cybersecurity and Trust 

• Eligibility: Industry, research institutions, education organizations, start-ups, and SMEs eligible under Horizon Europe. 
• Provider: European Commission under the Digital Europe Programme. 
• Funding: Up to €1.5 million per project; cascade funding system applies. 
• Deadline: April 30, 2025; July 31, 2025; October 31, 2025; January 31, 2026. 
• Objective: Enhance cybersecurity and trust in digital services by supporting projects that develop innovative solutions for secure and trustworthy digital environments. 
• Feel free to share this information with your members! If you need any more details or assistance, just let me know. 

Digital Europe Programme – Artificial Intelligence and Robotics 

• Eligibility: Industry, research institutions, education organizations, start-ups, and SMEs eligible under Horizon Europe. 
• Provider: European Commission under the Digital Europe Programme. 
• Funding: Up to €2 million per project; cascade funding system applies. 
• Deadline: May 31, 2025; August 31, 2025; November 30, 2025; February 28, 2026. 
• Objective: Support the development and deployment of artificial intelligence and robotics technologies to enhance innovation and competitiveness in Europe. 
• Feel free to share this information with your members! If you need any more details or assistance, just let me know.
  

Grant for Market and Investment-Oriented Projects (Horizon Europe)

Eligibility: Academic sector, Individuals, Entrepreneurs

Provider: Horizon Europe.

Funding: Up to €150,000 per EIC Pathfinder project, €100,000 per EIC Transition project, total program budget €5 million.

Deadline: November 4, 2025.

Objective: Support small, fast, and targeted projects that help EIC Pathfinder and Transition recipients verify technological solutions, prepare them for the market, and attract investments, including intellectual property protection and market analysis.

Support for Early-Stage Innovators in Research and Technology (InnoNext)

Eligibility:

• Hosting Companies (Internship Hosts): Startups and SMEs that have received support through EIC Accelerator, EIC Transition, or EIT KICs innovation services.
• Visiting Talents (Interns): PhD students, postdocs, and alumni from EIT programs, ERC projects, EIC Pathfinder, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

Provider: Horizon Europe, EIT, and other EU programs.

Funding: Up to €30,000 per internship.

Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Objective:
Support the development of entrepreneurial skills by connecting researchers and early-stage innovators with European startups and SMEs. The internships foster the transfer of cutting-edge research to practice and provide startups access to research talent, accelerating the development of new products and enhancing competitiveness. The program includes fully-funded research-oriented and entrepreneurship-oriented internships, mentoring, workshops, and administrative support.

These opportunities represent a unique chance to enhance innovation, education, and equality within Slovakia's business and academic communities.