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Funding

Prepare AI before you buy expensive systems

NRW.BANK.Impuls AI funds 50 percent of eligible net costs when SMEs in NRW prepare to use artificial intelligence. The grant covers consulting, conception, development and testing of one concrete AI use case. dxm delivers module A and module B.

Official NRW.BANK page

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What is this about?

Many companies buy an AI tool and only then notice the workflow is unclear. Impuls AI funds the step before that: find use cases, check what you need, develop and test a system on one concrete job.

Who can apply

Small and medium-sized enterprises under the EU definition, based in North Rhine-Westphalia. At most twice in two years. Linked and partner enterprises count towards that limit. The project must not have started yet.

Module A: conception

Find application fields, set goals, prioritise cases, and define how AI will be run and used responsibly. This is the part most teams skip.

Module B: development and test

Development and testing of the concrete AI use case. Necessary software licences, hardware rental and test infrastructure can be included in module B. These costs may account for at most 25 percent of all eligible module B costs. VAT is not eligible. A later lasting implementation or full go-live can follow separately and is not part of the funded test phase.

Define the case first. Then test the AI.

Typical situations

What we actually do

Find use cases

We look at your workflows and say where AI cuts time or errors and where it does not.

Write module A

Goals, priorities, technical and organisational prerequisites documented so the application and the internal decision share one basis.

Develop and test the AI

Module B: development and testing for one concrete case, with criteria you can measure.

Data protection from the start

Which data may enter the system, where it is processed, who decides in doubt. Otherwise the test gets stuck in legal.

Documents for NRW.BANK

Digitally via the customer portal, filed by you as the company. We help describe focus, module and timing the way the guideline asks, before anything starts.

Build after the test

The grant covers development and testing. A lasting implementation or full go-live can follow separately and is not part of the funded test phase.

How we work

  • 01

    Choose case and module

    One clear AI use case, mapped to A or B. The project should usually be completed within six months at most.

  • 02

    File the application

    Via the NRW.BANK portal, by you as the company. The project must not start before the grant notice.

  • 03

    Advise, develop or test

    Document the concept, the test version and the benefit. After that you know whether go-live is worth it.

  • 04

    Decide

    Roll out, adapt, or leave it. The next step is a separate brief.

If you have a concrete AI case and are based in NRW, we check the published criteria to see whether Impuls AI could fit in principle.

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Frequently asked questions

Impuls AI is a grant, not a loan. Amount, duration and modules are in the NRW.BANK guideline.

Who files the application?

The applicant company, via the NRW.BANK portal. dxm helps place the case, shape the scope and prepare the specialist documents. Company data, declarations and the submission stay with the company. Eligibility and approval are decided by NRW.BANK.

How large is the grant?

50 percent of eligible net costs, at most 25,000 euros within two years. Grants below 5,000 euros are not awarded. The programme can be used at most twice within two years.

Can we start before the notice?

No. The guideline excludes projects that are already running. An early workshop or a signed contract can put the grant at risk.

What is legally binding?

All information reflects our understanding as of 20 August 2026. Only the current guidelines, calls and rules of the competent funding body are binding. There is no entitlement to funding.

Do you have an AI case in NRW?

Two sentences on the use case are enough. We check the published funding criteria to see whether module A or B could fit in principle. NRW.BANK takes the decision.

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