Funding an AI project in Belgium: grants and subsidies in 2026
In short
In Belgium, AI grants are run by the regions. As of 21 October 2026, Wallonia funds AI through Start IA (50%, up to €5,000) and Tremplin IA (50%, up to €20,000), whose 2026 calls are closed; Flanders has ended the kmo-portefeuille, but VLAIO's development project grant remains open; Brussels keeps its Digitalisation grant (25% to 70%, up to €10,000 a year), while Innoviris is funding no new projects in 2026.
Key takeaways
- Grants depend on the region where your business operates.
- Several schemes were suspended or scrapped in 2026: always check the official source.
- You almost always have to apply before the work starts.
- Grants mainly cover scoping, consulting and proofs of concept, rarely the whole project.
- Provider choice is regulated: expert lists, accreditation or minimum experience.
Who funds business AI in Belgium?
In Belgium, business AI projects are funded by the regions: Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels each have their own schemes. The right funding body depends on where your business operates, not where your provider is based.
2026 brought a lot of change. Several schemes were suspended, refocused or scrapped for budget reasons. This guide reviews each region, with the status of every scheme verified on 21/10/2026 on the official websites.
AI grants at a glance, as of 21 October 2026
| Region | Scheme | Support | Status on 21/10/2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallonia | Start IA (scoping, audit, action plan) | 50%, up to €5,000 | 2026 call closed on 30/09/2026 |
| Wallonia | Tremplin IA (proof of concept) | 50%, up to €20,000 | 2026 call closed on 17/07/2026 |
| Wallonia | Chèque Maturité numérique | 50%, up to €50,000 over 3 years | Suspended since 12/07/2026 |
| Wallonia | Chèque Cybersécurité | 75%, up to €50,000 over 3 years | Available |
| Flanders | Kmo-portefeuille (training, advice) | 20% to 45%, up to €7,500 a year | Budget exhausted, ends on 01/01/2027 |
| Flanders | VLAIO development project (innovation) | 25% to 50%, from €25,000 to €3M | Open all year |
| Brussels | Digitalisation grant | 25% to 70%, up to €10,000 a year | Available |
| Brussels | Consultancy and Training grants | — | Suspended since 12/08/2026 |
| Brussels | Innoviris funding | — | No new projects funded in 2026 |
Amounts are maximum public support, excluding VAT. Details and conditions are in our regional guides.
Wallonia: Start IA, Tremplin IA and chèques-entreprises
Wallonia is the only region with calls dedicated to AI: Start IA to scope a project and Tremplin IA to test it. They are run by the Agence du Numérique (Digital Wallonia) and reserved for SMBs with a registered office or operating site in Wallonia.
The Walloon government's chèques-entreprises complete the picture, but the digital maturity voucher is on hold while a new framework is built, with AI named as a priority technology. Full details: AI grants in Wallonia.
Flanders: the end of the kmo-portefeuille
Flanders has decided to scrap the kmo-portefeuille: its 2026 budget has been exhausted since 15 October 2026 and the scheme ends on 1 January 2027. Applications already under way can be completed.
For a genuinely innovative AI project, VLAIO's development project grant remains open all year, with minimum support of €25,000. It targets ambitious projects, not off-the-shelf tools. Full details: Kmo-portefeuille and AI in Flanders.
Brussels: Digitalisation grant, hub.brussels and Innoviris
In Brussels, the Digitalisation grant is still available and can cover 25% to 70% of a digitalization consulting assignment, up to €10,000 a year. It applies to process digitalization, IT security and the company website.
The Consultancy and Training grants have been suspended since 12 August 2026, and Innoviris is launching no new calls in 2026. hub.brussels, meanwhile, offers free digital transformation support. Full details: AI grants in Brussels.
How do you prepare a grant application for an AI project?
A strong application describes a specific problem, a measurable result and a budget per stage before it talks about technology. Panels fund an expected gain, not a trendy tool.
The steps:
- Pick a use case. A frequent, time-consuming task: answering customers, processing invoices, booking appointments. Our article What is an AI agent? gives examples.
- Check your eligibility. Company size (EU SMB definition), location of your operating site, aid already received over three years (de minimis rule).
- Check the provider. Depending on the scheme: listed expert, accredited provider or consultant with minimum experience.
- Apply before you start. Almost every scheme rejects costs incurred before the application or decision.
- Plan your indicators. Time saved, requests handled, response time: they serve both the application and the final report.
What if no grant is open?
Start small: a short scoping exercise or a limited proof of concept costs little and gets you ready for the next call. The Walloon AI calls were published in June 2026, and Wallonia is also preparing a new framework for digital support.
In the meantime, you can try AI on your own website for free with our AI demos. And to decode the terms found in application forms (RAG, proof of concept, LLM), see our AI glossary.
Official sources
Information verified on 21/10/2026. Schemes change: always check the source before applying.
- Digital Wallonia, artificial intelligence page (FR): digitalwallonia.be/ia
- Chèques-entreprises, Walloon government (FR): cheques-entreprises.be
- VLAIO, kmo-portefeuille (NL): vlaio.be
- VLAIO, development project (NL): vlaio.be
- Brussels Economy and Employment, Digitalisation grant (FR): economie-emploi.brussels
- Innoviris, 2026 measures (FR): innoviris.brussels
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FAQ — Funding an AI project in Belgium
Is there a federal grant for SMB AI projects in Belgium?
Direct support for SMB AI projects is managed by the regions: Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels. At federal level, there is no equivalent grant for a chatbot or automation project. Some costs, such as training taken as part of your business activity, do remain tax-deductible.
Can I combine several grants for the same AI project?
As a rule, the same cost cannot be subsidized twice. It is sometimes possible to fund different stages with different schemes, for example scoping first and then a proof of concept. Walloon AI grants also fall under the EU de minimis rule, which caps the total aid received over three years.
Will the Start IA and Tremplin IA calls reopen?
The 2026 calls are closed: on 17 July 2026 for Tremplin IA and on 30 September 2026 for Start IA. No date for the next call had been published as of 21 October 2026. The safest option is to follow Digital Wallonia's AI page or contact the Agence du Numérique.
Can Ozapp prepare the grant application for me?
Ozapp helps you scope the project and prepare the technical content of the application: goals, use cases, timeline, budget and indicators. Each scheme sets its own conditions for providers (expert list, accreditation or years in business), so check them with the funding body before signing anything.
What budget should I plan for a first AI project?
It depends on scope: a few days of scoping is very different from an AI agent connected to several systems. Public grants usually cover 25% to 50% of a specific stage. At Ozapp, after a free 30-minute consultation, you receive a detailed quote within 24-48 hours.
