--- title: 'NRW.BANK.Impuls KI: 50 % Grant for SMEs - SCHILLER' description: 'NRW.BANK Impuls KI: 50 % funding, up to 25,000 euros per company. We do the funded work: find the potential, pick the use case, build and test a prototype.' url: https://schiller-partners.de/en/impuls-ki language: en --- # NRW.BANK.Impuls KI ## The state pays half A 50 % grant on AI consulting and testing, up to 25,000 euros for SMEs based in North Rhine-Westphalia. As of 1 October 2026: application portal currently closed NRW.BANK is not accepting new applications for Impuls KI at the moment because it has already received a large number. It gives no date for reopening. Get in touch if you want to clarify your use case now. A grant programme by NRW.BANK ## Introduce AI without investing blindly first Most companies know that AI is relevant for them, but not where to start. That is exactly the phase NRW.BANK funds: first work out which use cases pay off, then actually try one of them. We do that work with you. In the end you decide on the basis of a running prototype. ## Why NRW.BANK.Impuls KI? ### 50 % grant NRW.BANK reimburses half of your project-related expenses. On a 20,000 euro project you carry 10,000 euros yourself. ### Up to 25,000 euros That is the grant per company within two years. You can use the funding twice in that period until the amount is reached. ### Consulting and testing Funding covers more than preparation. Building a prototype, trying systems out, licences and hardware for the test are eligible too. ### A decision with substance What you get is a tested use case with solid figures on effort, benefit and risk. ## How it works 1 ### First conversation Free We clarify without obligation whether your plan fits the programme and which use case gives the best leverage. 2 ### Quote and application Customer portal You receive a quote stating the eligible expenses and use it to apply through the NRW.BANK customer portal. 3 ### Wait for approval Mandatory The project may only start after approval. Starting earlier forfeits the funding, so we wait for the decision. 4 ### Consulting and test Up to 6 months We identify the fields of application, prioritise the use cases and build the test version you try on your real tasks. 5 ### Proof and payout Closing You account for the expenses incurred towards NRW.BANK and receive the grant. ## Possible AI use cases The programme funds finding suitable AI applications, preparing their deployment and testing solutions. Typical fields in mid-sized companies are: ### Process documents Read invoices, delivery notes and contracts automatically, check them and move the values into the right fields. ### Draft quotes Turn an enquiry, a scope of work and your templates into a solid draft that a person only has to review. ### Triage enquiries Recognise incoming mail, assign it and link it to the right case instead of distributing it by hand. ### Make knowledge findable Get answers out of your own documents instead of searching folders or asking colleagues. ### Understand the numbers Spot utilisation, demand and bottlenecks early and turn them into a statement you can plan with. ### Calls and appointments Capture call notes, callback requests and appointments without anyone taking minutes. ### Quality and inspection Detect deviations in photos, measurements or protocols before they become expensive. ### Connect the workflow Attach AI to the systems you already use, so results land where the work happens. ## Who can use NRW.BANK.Impuls KI The programme is open to small and medium-sized enterprises as defined by the EU that meet these conditions: Registered office in North Rhine-Westphalia Fewer than 250 employees At most 50m euro annual turnover or 43m euro balance sheet total Grant of 50 % of project-related expenses Up to 25,000 euros per company within two years At most twice within two years ![Michael Schiller](https://schiller-partners.de/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NDcwMzksInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--2f16e9a9191c77e10117f2790eed35b6118222e1/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJ3ZWJwIiwicmVzaXplX3RvX2ZpbGwiOlsyMDAsMjAwXSwic2F2ZXIiOnsic3RyaXAiOnRydWUsInF1YWxpdHkiOjUwLCJpbnRlcmxhY2UiOnRydWUsIm9wdGltaXplX2NvZGluZyI6dHJ1ZSwiYWNjZXNzIjoic2VxdWVudGlhbCIsImJhY2tncm91bmQiOlsyNTUsMjU1LDI1NV19fSwicHVyIjoidmFyaWF0aW9uIn19--ddadceab840027df8f77d653b1b35d2b9a4a053b/image.webp?locale=en) NRW.BANK ## Your contact: Michael Schiller I support mid-sized companies in introducing AI, from the first assessment to a system that is genuinely used day to day. Whatever we build has to run without us afterwards. AI adoption in mid-sized companies Prototypes on real data GDPR and data storage Practical and open-ended [Get in touch](https://schiller-partners.de/en/get-in-touch?service=impuls_ki) NRW.BANK.Impuls KI is a grant programme by NRW.BANK for small and medium-sized enterprises based in North Rhine-Westphalia. Applications are submitted digitally through the NRW.BANK customer portal. De-minimis rules apply. The conditions stated here reflect the current programme information and do not replace formal funding advice. Only the guideline and the decision issued by NRW.BANK are binding. [NRW.BANK programme page](https://www.nrwbank.de/de/foerderung/foerderprodukte/60447/nrwbank-impuls-ki.html) A 50 % grant on AI consulting and testing, up to 25,000 euros for SMEs based in North Rhine-Westphalia. [Get in touch](https://schiller-partners.de/en/get-in-touch?service=impuls_ki) ## Frequently asked questions - # What is NRW.BANK.Impuls KI? NRW.BANK.Impuls KI is a grant programme by NRW.BANK. It supports small and medium-sized enterprises based in North Rhine-Westphalia in identifying suitable AI applications, preparing their deployment and testing concrete solutions. - # How large is the NRW.BANK.Impuls KI grant? The programme funds 50 percent of eligible project-related expenses. The grant amounts to up to 25,000 euros per company within two years and may be claimed at most twice in that period. - # Who can apply for NRW.BANK.Impuls KI? Small and medium-sized enterprises as defined by the EU with a registered office in North Rhine-Westphalia are eligible, meaning fewer than 250 employees and at most 50m euro annual turnover or 43m euro balance sheet total. - # What does NRW.BANK.Impuls KI fund? Module A covers consulting: identifying fields of application and goals, prioritising use cases and establishing structures for responsible AI deployment. Module B covers testing: building test versions, running system tests, plus software licences, hardware rental and test infrastructure within the test scope. - # May the project start before approval? No. The project must not have started before approval, otherwise it loses eligibility. The project should also not exceed six months. - # How is the application submitted? The application is submitted digitally through the NRW.BANK customer portal. A quote stating the eligible expenses is part of the documents.