Startup Nation Program (2026 Edition, Pillar I)
Funds Romanian entrepreneurs aged 18-30 with up to 250,000 lei to launch an SME.
The 2026 edition pays up to 90% of eligible costs as a non-reimbursable grant, capped at 250,000 lei per beneficiary, including VAT for non-paying companies. EU recovery funds back the scheme, with less-developed regions receiving 266 million euros of the Pillar I budget and the Bucharest-Ilfov region receiving 29.75 million euros.
Looks for Romanian entrepreneurs aged 18 to under 30, at the time of registration, who want to create a small or medium enterprise. Applicants need at least a lower-secondary (ISCED 2) education level and must complete entrepreneurial training courses, regardless of current employment status.
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Guides for this application
All guides βGrant 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.
Submit & reportGrant Progress Report Example and Template
Use this grant progress report example to structure accomplishments, milestones, challenges, budget status, evidence, next steps, and closeout preparation.
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Browse the directory βStart-Up Nation β Pillar I (2026 edition)
π·π΄Romanian Government Β· Romania
Funds Romanian entrepreneurs aged 18-30 starting new small businesses with up to 250,000 lei.
Start-Up Nation 2026 (EdiΘia IV)
π·π΄Romanian Government Β· Romania
Funds new Romanian businesses with up to 250,000 Lei in EU-backed grants.
5th Innowwide Call for Market Feasibility Projects β Autumn 2026
πͺπΊEUREKA Β· Global / Multinational
Pays SMEs a fixed EUR60,000 grant to run a six-month market feasibility project testing whether their innovation can be commercialised in a target country in Africa, the Americas, Asia or Oceania.
ERC Proof of Concept Grant
πͺπΊEuropean Commission Β· European Union
Funds existing ERC grant holders in testing the commercial or societal potential of already-funded research through a fixed EUR 150,000 top-up grant.
ERC Proof of Concept Grants
πͺπΊERC Β· European Union
Pays existing ERC grant holders a EUR 150,000 lump sum to explore the commercial or social innovation potential of their ERC-funded research.
Start-Up Nation Romania 2026 - Pillar I (Youth Entrepreneurship)
π·π΄MEDAT Β· Romania
Pays for up to 90% of a young Romanian founder's new small-business costs, worth up to 250,000 lei, after they complete a mandatory entrepreneurship training course.