AI Innovation Fund
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a wealth of opportunities to optimise business processes and develop new products and services. Nevertheless, the integration of AI remains a challenge for SMEs in Limburg. Many companies are experimenting with it, but the transition to concrete applications in the workplace is proving difficult.
POM Limburg is therefore launching the AI Innovation Fund, with the support of the Province of Limburg. The initiative encourages Limburg-based SMEs to develop and test innovative AI applications, with the aim of strengthening their innovative capacity and competitiveness.
The focus is on innovative AI solutions that go beyond existing standard software. For this reason, the fund encourages the use of specialised AI computing infrastructure, such as the Limburg AI Research Accelerator (LARA).
To achieve these objectives, the fund has allocated a total budget of 250,000 euros.
AI Innovation Fund
The AI Innovation Fund supports SMEs in Limburg in the development and validation of innovative AI applications. Specifically, it offers:
- Financial support amounting to 50 per cent of the project budget, with a maximum grant of €25,000.
- Incentives for the use of specialised AI computing infrastructure.
- Dissemination of the final results of all projects to a wide audience.
Projects
- The project focuses on the development of a new or significantly improved product, process or service with demonstrable economic added value. The project falls within TRL levels 4 to 7.
- The project must be in one of the following sectors: logistics, healthcare & life sciences, construction, energy or the manufacturing industry.
- The project must utilise specialised AI computing capacity and go beyond the application of existing AI software.
Some examples of possible applications are:
> Advanced data analysis and pattern recognition.
> Predictive maintenance and optimisation of business processes.
> AI-driven simulations and digital twins.
Projects have a maximum duration of 6 months and must be completed by 31 August 2027 at the latest.
Submitting a grant application
STEP 1: Submit a project grant application
A complete grant application must include the following sections:
- Project partners
- Project description
- Collaborations with external parties
- Description of economic potential
- Description of the innovative nature of the project
- Proposal for disseminating results
- Action plan with timeline and SMART KPIs
- Budget
- Declaration of honour
The deadline for submitting the project application is 8 January 2027 at 23:59. This application must be submitted via the online application portal: AI Innovation Fund Application Form.
STEP 2: Pitch sessions
If your grant application meets all the conditions, you will present your project to a panel during a pitch session on 19 January 2027, between 10.00 and 15.00.
All conditions and practical details can be found in the grant regulations.
