Grants for blockchain, Web3 & AI projects in European Union
The European Union runs the world's largest coordinated innovation funding program. Through Horizon Europe alone (€95.5B for 2021-2027), the EU funds research, development, and deployment of breakthrough technologies — with over €700M specifically allocated to blockchain, Web3, and distributed ledger technologies. For EU-based companies and consortia, this represents the single most concentrated grant opportunity in the world.
Funding landscape in EU
EU funding flows through multiple channels. The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator provides up to €2.5M in equity-free grants plus optional €15M equity investment for breakthrough startups. Horizon Europe funds collaborative research projects across 27+ countries with grants from €500K to €10M+. The NGI initiative (Next Generation Internet), administered through NLnet Foundation, supports individual developers and small open-source teams with grants up to €50K — accessible without forming a legal entity. Cohesion Funds direct billions to less-developed EU regions, with priority for digital innovation, while the Innovation Fund channels €38B toward clean technologies including blockchain-based carbon tracking and energy systems.
Best for
- ✓EU-incorporated companies (or willing to set up subsidiary)
- ✓Open-source developers and individual researchers (NLnet)
- ✓Consortia of universities, SMEs, and large companies
- ✓Blockchain, Web3, AI, climate tech, and deep tech sectors
- ✓Projects with cross-border European collaboration
Key programs
- ★EIC Accelerator — Up to €2.5M grant + €15M equity option
- ★Horizon Europe Blockchain — €700M+ for distributed ledger R&D
- ★NLnet NGI Zero Commons — Up to €50K for open-source projects
- ★EU Innovation Fund — Up to €100M for cleantech demonstration
- ★EBSI — Funding for European Blockchain Services Infrastructure
Who qualifies
EU-incorporated entities for most large programs. Horizon Europe collaborative projects require consortia of 3+ entities from 3+ EU/associated countries. NLnet and NGI accept individuals and small teams worldwide. Switzerland, Norway, Israel, and the UK have associated country status — companies there can also apply.
💡 Application tip
EU evaluators love TRL (Technology Readiness Level) language. Specify your TRL clearly (4-6 for prototype, 6-8 for pilot) and explain how funding moves you to the next level. EU also weighs societal impact heavily — frame your project around European challenges (digital sovereignty, climate goals, Industry 4.0) rather than pure commercial returns.
Browse EU grants by category
All EU grants (16)
All regions →NGI Search — Decentralized Search Infrastructure
EU funding for next-generation search technologies including decentralized indexing and Web3 search.
Up to €150K
View →NGI TrustChain — Decentralized Identity
EU-funded program specifically for trust and identity blockchain solutions. Up to €200K per project.
Up to €200K
View →Interreg Europe 2026
Cross-border cooperation funding for regional innovation policy improvements across all EU member states.
Up to €2M
View →LIAA Innovation Grants Latvia
Latvian Investment and Development Agency grants for manufacturing upgrades, R&D, and industrial innovation.
€10M+ projects
View →European Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS)
EU funding for dual-use deeptech, including blockchain for defence supply chain and secure communications.
Up to €2.5M
View →NGI Zero Commons Fund
Grants for open internet and blockchain commons projects. Equity-free funding for developers and researchers.
Up to €50K
View →NLnet Foundation — NGI Sargasso
European funding for open-source projects improving the internet, with focus on privacy, security, and decentralization.
Up to €50K
View →EIT Digital Innovation Programme
European Institute of Innovation funding for digital deeptech ventures including blockchain, AI, and cyber security.
Up to €1M
View →Creative Europe — Cultural Innovation
EU funding for cultural and creative sectors including digital innovation, NFTs, and Web3 cultural projects.
€60K–€2M
View →EIC Accelerator 2026
Equity-free grants up to €2.5M plus investment for deeptech and blockchain startups scaling across Europe.
Up to €2.5M
View →EU Chips Act — Design Platform
EU semiconductor funding including secure hardware for blockchain, post-quantum chips, and trusted computing.
€500K–€20M
View →EU Innovation Fund — Cleantech
Massive EU funding for breakthrough clean technologies including blockchain for carbon tracking and energy.
€2.5M–€100M+
View →Digital Europe — Cybersecurity
EU funding for cybersecurity capacity-building including blockchain security and decentralized identity.
Up to €5M
View →Netherlands — Innovation Credit (RVO)
RVO Innovation Credit for technical or clinical development projects — repayable on success.
Up to €5M
View →Single Market Programme — SME Support
EU funding for SMEs digitalizing operations, including blockchain adoption and Web3 business models.
Up to €500K
View →Horizon Europe — Blockchain & Web3
EU R&D funding for decentralized technologies, blockchain infrastructure, and Web3 innovation projects.
€700M+
View →Apply faster
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