The Basque Government will keep open until November the grant programs for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity for SMEs. This year, the budget for these transformation programs for Euskadi's SMEs has been increased to 28 million euros, with 14 million euros allocated to AI projects and another 14 million to cybersecurity.
The AI program will be open until November 2nd, and the Industrial Cybersecurity program until the 23rd of the same month. Grants can cover up to 60% of eligible project expenses, with each company potentially receiving a maximum of 100,000 euros.
This increase is part of the industrial shield measures for Euskadi, aimed at addressing the consequences of the Middle East conflict. In total, the Basque Government will allocate 277 million euros to support SMEs.
Minister Mikel Jauregi recalled that, according to a World Economic Forum report presented in Davos, in the next 5 years, approximately 80% of companies in OECD countries will implement AI in their processes, impacting the way 40% of jobs are performed.
The Artificial Intelligence 2026 program is aimed at industrial and service companies with activity centers in Euskadi that wish to incorporate AI into their processes. The Industrial Cybersecurity Program, on the other hand, offers non-reimbursable grants to ensure the competitiveness of the Basque Country's industrial fabric, improving internal cybersecurity and addressing product cybersecurity projects.
Both programs are a priority of the Optimal Industry Axis of the Euskadi 2030 Industrial Plan, aiming to strengthen strategic sectors like IRABAZI, HAZI, and JAUZI.
