With the Skills Schecks 2026, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism (BMWET) is providing targeted support to companies in upskilling their employees. The aim is to equip skilled workers for the digital and green transformation, thereby strengthening Austria’s competitiveness as a business location in the long term. The design of the funding already clearly follows the industrial policy priorities of the Industrial Strategy 2035. The programme is implemented operationally by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
“Anyone who wants to develop key technologies domestically must also build up the necessary skills within the country. With the Skills Schecks, we are making targeted investments in skilled workers, lowering barriers to training for businesses and consistently implementing a key pillar of the Industrial Strategy 2035,” says Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism.
The Skills Schecks are aimed at companies with a registered office in Austria, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). External training measures that contribute to digital transformation or environmental sustainability are eligible for funding. Training measures with a clear link to the key technologies of the Industrial Strategy are given particular emphasis.
The focus is on training in the nine key technologies and areas of strength of the Industrial Strategy 2035 – including artificial intelligence and data innovation, chips and electronic components, advanced manufacturing technologies and robotics, quantum technology and photonics, advanced materials, life sciences and biotechnology, energy and environmental technologies, mobility technologies, as well as space and aviation technologies.
Up to 50 per cent of eligible external training costs are covered through the Skills Schecks. A maximum of 5,000 euro per employee can be funded, and up to five Skills Schecks can be applied for per company. The funding period is up to 18 months. Applications must be submitted no later than four weeks before the start of the course.
“Particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, investments in training often represent a challenge. With the Skills Schecks, we are lowering this barrier and enabling SMEs to build up skills in future technologies in a targeted way and to bring innovations into application more quickly,” says FFG Managing Director Henrietta Egerth.
A total budget of 4 million euro is available for this open call, which is open across sectors and technologies.
Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis from 2 March 2026 until 15 December 2026 (12:00 CET). The call will close early if the available funds are fully allocated.
Detailed information on the call and application process:
www.ffg.at/ausschreibungen/SkillsSchecks2026