Digitalise Your SME —
Malta's Premier AI Grant
The Maltese government's flagship SME digitalisation scheme, co-financed by European Funds, is now in its second call with a tripled budget of €15 million and an explicit AI top-up. Malta SMEs can access up to €235,400 in non-repayable grant funding for AI and digital transformation projects — the largest AI-specific grant available to SMEs in Malta.
Up to €235,400
Maximum grant
50% Aid Intensity
60% for Gozo-based SMEs
1 July 2026
Call 2 opens
SMEs Only
Micro, small & medium enterprises
New: €15M Call 2 Just Announced
On 4 May 2026, Malta's government announced Call 2 of the Digitalise Your SME scheme — tripling the budget from €5M to €15 million. This forms part of Malta's €100 million AI and innovation budget commitment.
Call 2 introduces a new AI top-up: projects incorporating Artificial Intelligence qualify for an additional €107,000 on top of the base €128,400 grant — bringing the total maximum to €235,400. The AI component is administered in partnership with MDIA (Malta Digital Innovation Authority).
Call 2 opens 1 July 2026 — first cut-off 31 July 2026
"In the last Budget, we announced a total of €100 million in measures related to Artificial Intelligence and innovation, and today we are announcing the first €15 million of these, specifically targeted towards SMEs."
Minister Silvio Schembri
Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects
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What Is the Digitalise Your SME Scheme?
The Digitalise Your SME scheme is a non-repayable grant programme administered by Fondi.eu on behalf of the Maltese government, co-financed by European Structural and Investment Funds. It supports Malta-registered SMEs in digitising their operations — from product design and supply chain management through to procurement, customer service, and after-sales processes.
Call 2, opening 1 July 2026, introduces a dedicated AI component administered in partnership with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA). SMEs that incorporate Artificial Intelligence into their digitalisation project qualify for an additional €107,000 — disbursed one year after project completion subject to productivity and ethical AI reporting. Neural AI builds AI automation, chatbot, and machine learning solutions that qualify for this top-up and prepares both required reports as part of our end-to-end application support service.
Quick Facts
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Funding Breakdown
The scheme provides two distinct grant components. The base digitalisation grant is available to all qualifying SMEs; the AI top-up is additional for projects incorporating Artificial Intelligence.
Grant Amounts
Base Digitalisation Grant
Standard scheme eligibility
AI Top-Up (MDIA)
Disbursed 1 year post-completion
Total Maximum Grant
For AI-incorporating projects
Aid Intensity — Malta
Percentage of eligible costs
Aid Intensity — Gozo
Enhanced rate for Gozo-based SMEs
AI Top-Up Requirements
The AI component is administered by MDIA (Malta Digital Innovation Authority). The top-up of €107,000 is disbursed one year after project completion, subject to two mandatory reports:
Productivity Gains Report
Documenting measurable improvements in efficiency and business output attributable to the AI implementation.
Ethical AI & Societal Well-being Report
Demonstrating compliance with ethical AI standards and positive social impact — aligned with MDIA's AI governance framework.
Neural AI prepares both reports
Our application support service includes preparation of both MDIA-required reports as part of the project delivery phase — ensuring your AI top-up disbursement goes smoothly.
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What Can You Fund?
The scheme covers a broad range of digitalisation activities — from supply chain systems through to AI-powered customer tools. Neural AI's development services qualify across all categories below.
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We Handle Your Entire Application — End to End
Neural AI guides Malta businesses through the complete Digitalise Your SME application process. From eligibility assessment to final submission and follow-up — our team ensures your application is structured for approval. We also build the AI solution that qualifies for the grant.
01
Free Eligibility Assessment
We review your business and confirm you qualify for the scheme — at no cost or obligation.
02
Application Preparation
Our team prepares your full application: project scope, budget breakdown, and technical narrative.
03
Submission & Tracking
We submit via sfd.gov.mt and track your application through each cut-off review cycle.
04
Project Delivery & Reporting
Neural AI builds your AI solution and prepares the MDIA productivity and ethical AI reports for the top-up disbursement.
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Application Cut-Off Dates
Applications can be submitted at any time via sfd.gov.mt and are reviewed at each cut-off date. Submitting before a cut-off ensures your application is assessed at the next available review.
Call 2 Cut-Offs
Opens 1 July 2026Call 1 Remaining Cut-Offs
Still acceptingDon't wait for Call 2. If your project is ready, apply now under Call 1 — Neural AI can have your application submission-ready within weeks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Funding Schemes
Business Reports for SMEs
€4,000 grant (80% aid) for an AI-focused business review or digital business plan.
Learn more →Malta Enterprise Business Development
Up to 50% grant for AI systems, software, and technology infrastructure investment.
Learn more →Xjenza Digital Innovation
Up to €225,000 for AI research and digital innovation. Deadline 1 July 2026. AI is Priority Area 1.
Learn more →/ get started /
Ready to Apply for the Digitalise Your SME Grant?
Book a free 30-minute consultation. We assess your eligibility, scope the project, and handle the entire application — at no upfront cost.
