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Can your company receive grants for purchasing laser metal processing machines? In 2025, there is really a lot of money for the development of manufacturing companies. The downside? It's scattered across several dozen programs. Each program has its own rules and deadlines. It's really easy to get lost in this maze of regulations, bureaucratic jargon, and deadlines. That's why we've prepared a simple guide to machine purchase grants for you. Some application deadlines are ending soon, so let's get started.

Who can apply for machine purchase grants?

In Poland, there's still often a belief that grants and EU funding are only for industrial giants or dynamically developing tech startups. This image has long lost its relevance. In 2025, support is available for:

  • Micro, small and medium enterprises: You constitute the absolute priority of most programs.

  • Large enterprises: Programs like SMART Path are also open to you.

  • Companies with long and short experience: What matters is the idea and potential, not the date of business establishment.

  • Metal processing industry: You are in the spotlight. Investments in modern machines and automation are treated as a priority due to their impact on energy savings.

Choosing the right equipment is the foundation of a successful funding application. Especially in the metal industry, where the best industrial welders can determine the competitiveness of the entire production facility.

EU grants: Overview of machine purchase grants - where to look for funding in 2025?

grants for machine purchase for manufacturing companies

Obtaining grants requires proper preparation of documentation and understanding the specific needs of each program. Here are 6 main paths to securing funding. Choose the one that best fits your goal.

1.SMART Path (FENG 1.1)

  • For whom? For everyone — from micro-entrepreneurs to industrial giants.

  • For what? This is not a grant for one machine. This is financing for an entire innovative project: from research, through prototype construction, to building a production hall and purchasing a production line (e.g., with laser cutters) and its implementation.

Modern laser technologies enjoy particular interest from committees evaluating applications. Laser sheet processing is an investment that combines innovation with measurable improvement in production efficiency.

  • How much can you receive? From 25% to 80% of the project value. The maximum funding amount is not specified, and the largest projects implemented under the program reach tens of millions of zloty.

  • DEADLINES 2025:

    • SMEs: Applications were accepted until June 26, 2025 (already ended, but good to know for the future).

    • Large companies and consortia: July – September 2025. This is the last call to prepare.

2. Technological Innovation Credit – When the state pays your loan

  • For whom? Only for SMEs.

  • For what? For implementing new technology. Are you buying a machine that allows you to produce something new or in a significantly better way? This program is for you. The program also includes an innovation implementation module, supporting manufacturing companies in technological transformation.

  • How does it work? You take a loan from a commercial bank, and BGK pays up to 70% of its value for you (in the form of a grant, up to about 6 million zloty).

  • DEADLINES 2025: Applications are eagerly awaited. Previous rounds sold out instantly. Follow BGK announcements – the announcement could appear at any moment.

3. Ecological Credit – When your new machine saves energy

  • For whom? SMEs and larger companies (up to 3,000 employees).

  • For what? For investments that will reduce energy consumption by at least 30%. Are you replacing an old, energy-guzzling press with a modern, energy-efficient laser cutter? Perfect.

  • How much can you receive? Up to 80% of costs in the form of an ecological premium that pays your loan. Conducting an energy audit is crucial for proving that new production machines will bring the required savings.

  • DEADLINES 2025: ATTENTION! Applications are accepted from June 17 to July 31, 2025! You literally have moments to submit your application.

It's worth remembering that some laser technologies can qualify simultaneously for several grant programs due to their energy parameters. Read: Why fiber laser is a good investment?

4. Dig.IT – When you want to enter the world of digitization

  • For whom? For medium enterprises - SMEs from the manufacturing industry.

  • For what? For digital transformation. Purchase of digitally controlled machines (CNC, lasers), robots, software (ERP) and staff training. The program supports not only equipment purchase but comprehensive transformation of the production facility.

  • How much can you receive? Simple grant from 150,000 to 850,000 zloty (up to 50% of investment value).

  • DEADLINES 2025: Application start planned for Q4 2025. You have time to prepare a strategy.

5. Funds for Eastern Poland – When you run a company in one of the 5 eastern voivodeships

If your company is registered in Lublin, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie, or Warmian-Masurian voivodeship, you've passed the first qualification stage. The funding level here reaches up to 85%.

  • Design in SMEs: Want to introduce a new, better-designed product? You'll get up to 3 million zloty for audit and purchase of machines needed for its production. DEADLINE: Applications accepted until July 29, 2025!

  • Automation and Robotization: Planning to implement robots and automate production? Up to 3 million zloty awaits you. DEADLINE: Applications planned for Q4 2025.

6. Regional Investment Programs – When you're looking for opportunities in your own backyard

Each voivodeship has its own pool of money to support local companies. Conditions vary, but are often simpler than in nationwide programs. These can be grants for modernization, equipment purchase, or increasing competitiveness. Regional EU funds often consider the specific needs of local enterprises and offer support tailored to the dynamic development of the region.

How to check? Type in Google "European Funds for [your voivodeship name] 2025 application schedule".

How to choose the best grant for company development?

  • If your goal is innovation (new product on the market, revolutionary process) -> SMART Path or Technological Credit.

  • If you want to lower bills and cut energy costs -> Ecological Credit.

  • If you want to enter Industry 4.0 and automate production -> Dig.IT or Automation in Eastern Poland.

  • If you operate in Eastern Poland and want maximum funding -> FEPW programs.

  • If you simply want to modernize your machine park -> Check regional programs.

The decision to modernize the machine park should be preceded by an analysis of the company's technological needs. Read: When to invest in a laser welder, to better understand the ideal moment for such an investment.

How to prepare for submitting an application to obtain grants for machine and equipment purchase?

Most companies start thinking about an application when a government agency announces a call. Often it's too late. To obtain funding, you must prove that your investment makes sense, is well thought out, and will bring concrete results. Preparing to receive funding requires a strategic approach and gathering essential information at every stage of the project. Below we present a "starter kit," i.e., things worth taking care of before thinking about submitting an application. Learn guidelines for effective project preparation.

1.Get an audit

In many programs, an audit is not an option. It's a necessary condition without which your application will be rejected at the start. Conducting an energy audit is essential for ecological projects, while a technological audit assesses readiness to implement innovative solutions.

  • Planning Ecological Credit? You must have an energy audit that shows the new machine will reduce energy consumption by a minimum of 30%. Without this document, you have nothing to discuss with the bank.

  • Automation in Eastern Poland? You need a technological audit and transformation plan. You must show that you know how to implement robots, not just that you want to buy them.

  • Thinking about Design in SMEs? A design audit is essential, which will diagnose your needs and indicate which machines are key to creating a new product.

Conclusion: Commission an audit now. This is often the first and most important step.

2. Define the project for which you want to receive a grant

The official evaluating the application doesn't know your company. You must present the project to them. You'll make the presentation easier by answering these questions beforehand:

  • What limits your transformation? Old, inefficient machine? Lack of ability to cut complex shapes? Too high labor costs? Describe this precisely.

  • What machine do you want to buy and why exactly this one?

  • What will you achieve thanks to this investment? New markets? New, innovative products? Increased employment?

3. Gather quotes

Your plans must be grounded in reality. Get at least 2-3 detailed quotes for the machines you want to buy. This will show the committee that you've done market research and know exactly how much money you need. Detailed quotes for modern machines must include all costs related to implementation under the grant. This is also the foundation of your budget in the application.

welder at work

4. Check credit capacity

If you're targeting credit-based programs (Technological Credit, Ecological Credit), talking to the bank is as important as the audit. Go to your bank and ask about a credit promise for the planned investment.

5. Sort out formalities

These are absolute basics, but surprisingly many companies stumble on them. Proper documentation preparation directly affects the success of the application process and final project settlement.

When the call opens, you'll have a complete set of documents ready.

Summary

The machine purchase grants market presents a certain paradox. On one hand, there's more money for manufacturing company development than ever before. On the other hand, they've never been so closely tied to strategy and company transformation.

The era of grants for "purchasing any machine" is ending. Today, the European Union and Polish agencies are reluctant to finance machine and equipment purchases as such. They finance transformation: technological, energy, digital. The biggest mistake is waiting or applying to the first available program. Return to the list in the article, choose your goal, and check the schedule. This is the only effective way for development money to reach your company.

Don't know which grant program best fits your company? Have questions about documents needed for the application? Schedule a free consultation with our funding expert. We'll help you choose the optimal financing path and prepare for the application process.

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