Investment Promotion Quality Trade (NÖWTF)
Grant for investments in innovative capital goods from €1,000,000 in Lower Austria with a focus on quality criteria and market readiness. Applications possible until 31.12.2026.
Discover your potential with AI support
- Find out if this grant matches your project
- Develop your application together with AI
- Get matched with many more suitable grants
Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for investments in fixed assets over €1,000,000 that enhance the competitiveness of Lower Austrian companies through innovation, research & development, and a significant quality leap.
Eligible expenses
- Tangible assets
- Intangible assets
Non-eligible expenses
- Acquisition of land
- Value-added tax
- Discounts and cash discounts
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Project volume at least €1,000,000
- Quality improvement compared to existing facilities required
- Application before the start of all project work
- SMEs or large companies with new activities in the regional funding area
- No mere capacity expansion or replacement without quality enhancement
Documents required for application
- Application via the Economic Development Portal
- Project description according to the guidelines
- Overall cost breakdown
- Annual financial statement/balance sheet of the last fiscal year
- Officially approved construction plan (for structural measures)
- Construction and commercial authority approval notices
- Applications to other funding agencies and completion letters
Evaluation criteria
- Fulfillment of defined quality criteria (workplace, capacity and quality development, sustainability, innovation)
- Project volume ≥ € 1,000,000
- Significant quality improvement compared to existing facilities
Description
The investment promotion Quality Commerce of the State of Lower Austria is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as large companies that wish to establish a new economic activity within the regional funding area of Lower Austria. Funded are investment projects with a minimum volume of €1,000,000 – including both tangible and intangible assets – that demonstrate innovation, research & development, and a significant quality leap compared to existing facilities. Pure capacity expansions or replacement investments without quality improvements are excluded. The grant amount is 5% of eligible costs, in selected cases up to 10% (including eco- or digitalization bonus), max. €200,000. Eligible expenses include costs for new equipment, software, patents, and other assets, but not land acquisition, VAT, or granted discounts. Application before the start of any project work is a prerequisite; applications must be submitted by 31 December 2026 via the Lower Austria Economic Promotion Portal.
The decision criteria include fulfillment of defined quality criteria (job creation, capacity and quality development, sustainability, innovation), project volume from €1,000,000, and demonstrable quality advancement. In addition to the form in the portal, a project description according to the guideline, a total cost breakdown, the financial statements of the last fiscal year, as well as official permits and evidence of previous funding applications must be submitted. The program aims to strengthen the locational advantage of Lower Austria, increase value creation and competitiveness of regional companies, and support sustainable, technologically leading investments. The grant amount is paid out in installments after a positive decision and must be settled within the deadlines defined in the funding contract.
Ready to secure your funding?
Register now and let our AI guide you through the application process – from eligibility check to finished application.