Start-Up Nation — Pillar I (2026 edition)
Funds Romanian entrepreneurs aged 18-30 starting new small businesses with up to 250,000 lei.
The programme pays a non-reimbursable grant (AFN) of up to 250,000 lei per beneficiary, covering up to 90% of eligible costs including VAT for non-VAT-registered companies; the beneficiary covers the remaining 10% themselves. Pillar I is financed through the EU's Education and Employment Program 2021-2027, with a total budget of 295.75 million EUR split by region: 266 million EUR for less-develope…
Pillar I of Start-Up Nation's 2026 edition backs new businesses founded by young people aged 18 to under 30, regardless of current employment status, including Romanians returning from abroad. Applicants need at least a lower-secondary (ISCED 2) education level and must complete required entrepreneurial training courses.
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Guides for this application
All guides →Grant Financials and Co-Funding Evidence: Examples for Startup Applications
See examples of grant financials, match funding evidence, co-funding tables, accountant letters, investor commitments, and budget-to-work-plan checks.
Find grantsGovernment Grants for Startups: What Deeptech Founders Should Know
A practical guide to government grants for startups, including Grants.gov, SBIR/STTR, state programs, eligibility, fit, timelines, and when to apply.
Write proposalGrant Proposal Sections: What Reviewers Expect in Each Part
A section-by-section guide to grant proposal format, project summaries, work plans, budgets, teams, letters of support, outcomes, and reviewer expectations.
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