{"id":1625,"date":"2026-06-21T17:39:50","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T15:39:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pletzenauer.com\/ai-funding-north-rhine-westphalia\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T08:14:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T06:14:40","slug":"ki-foerderung-nordrhein-westfalen","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pletzenauer.com\/en\/ki-foerderung-nordrhein-westfalen\/","title":{"rendered":"AI funding North Rhine-Westphalia"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1625\" class=\"elementor elementor-1625 elementor-1596 elementor-bc-flex-widget\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_hero e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"kfnw_hero\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_hero_w elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"kfnw_hero_w\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>.kf{font-family:'Hanken Grotesk',system-ui,sans-serif;color:#14110C;}.kf *{box-sizing:border-box;}.kf-wrap{max-width:1080px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 24px;}.kf-eyebrow{font-weight:600;font-size:12px;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#D9551A;margin:0;}.kf-disp{font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-1px;line-height:1.02;color:#14110C;margin:14px 0 0;}.kf-h1{font-size:clamp(34px,5vw,56px);max-width:20ch;}.kf-h2{font-size:clamp(26px,3.4vw,38px);}.kf-lede{font-size:clamp(17px,2vw,20px);line-height:1.55;color:#5C564B;max-width:60ch;margin:20px 0 0;}.kf-o{color:#F2671E;}.kf-stand{font-size:12px;color:#8C8578;margin-top:18px;}.kf-hero{background:#FBF8F2;padding:clamp(56px,9vw,110px) 0 clamp(34px,5vw,54px);}.kf-cta-row{display:flex;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin-top:28px;}.kf-btn{display:inline-block;font-weight:600;font-size:15px;padding:13px 26px;border-radius:100px;text-decoration:none;}.kf-btn-primary{background:#F2671E;color:#fff;}.kf-btn-primary:hover{background:#D9551A;}.kf-btn-out{border:1px solid #E6E0D4;color:#14110C;}.kf-btn-out:hover{border-color:#14110C;}.kf-sec{padding:clamp(48px,7vw,88px) 0;}.kf-sec--cream{background:#F1ECE1;}.kf-shead{max-width:62ch;margin-bottom:34px;}.kf-sub{font-size:17px;color:#5C564B;margin:12px 0 0;}.kf-facts{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(150px,1fr));border-top:1px solid #E6E0D4;border-bottom:1px solid #E6E0D4;background:#FBF8F2;}.kf-facts>div{padding:24px;border-left:1px solid #E6E0D4;}.kf-facts>div:first-child{border-left:0;}.kf-fnum{font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:800;font-size:30px;letter-spacing:-1px;}.kf-flab{font-size:13px;color:#8C8578;margin-top:4px;}.kf-cards{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(260px,1fr));gap:18px;}.kf-card{background:#fff;border:1px solid #E6E0D4;border-radius:16px;padding:24px 26px;}.kf-card.dark{background:#100D09;border-color:#100D09;}.kf-card h3{font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:20px;margin:0;}.kf-card.dark h3{color:#FBF8F2;}.kf-amt{font-weight:600;font-size:13px;color:#D9551A;margin:8px 0 12px;}.kf-card.dark .kf-amt{color:#FF7A2E;}.kf-card p{font-size:14px;line-height:1.55;color:#5C564B;margin:0;}.kf-card.dark p{color:#C7C0B3;}.kf-feat{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(200px,1fr));gap:18px;}.kf-feat>div{border-left:2px solid #F2671E;padding:4px 0 4px 16px;}.kf-feat h4{font-weight:600;font-size:16px;margin:0;}.kf-feat p{font-size:14px;color:#5C564B;margin:6px 0 0;}.kf-note ul{margin:0;padding-left:20px;}.kf-note li{font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;color:#3a352c;margin-bottom:10px;}.kf-note a{color:#D9551A;font-weight:600;}.kf-steps{border-top:1px solid #E6E0D4;}.kf-step{display:flex;gap:18px;padding:16px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E6E0D4;}.kf-step b{font-family:'Bricolage Grotesque',sans-serif;color:#F2671E;font-size:15px;min-width:28px;}.kf-step h4{font-weight:600;font-size:16px;margin:0;display:inline;}.kf-step span{color:#5C564B;font-size:15px;}.kf-faq details{border-bottom:1px solid #E6E0D4;padding:16px 0;}.kf-faq summary{font-weight:600;font-size:17px;cursor:pointer;list-style:none;}.kf-faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none;}.kf-faq p{font-size:15px;color:#5C564B;line-height:1.6;margin:12px 0 0;}.kf-faq a{color:#D9551A;font-weight:600;}.kf-cta{background:#100D09;}.kf-cta .kf-disp{color:#FBF8F2;}.kf-cta p{color:#9B9B92;max-width:50ch;margin:14px 0 22px;font-size:16px;}.kf-links{font-size:14px;color:#8C8578;margin-top:8px;}.kf-links a{color:#D9551A;text-decoration:none;}<\/style><div class=\"kf kf-hero\"><div class=\"kf-wrap\"><p class=\"kf-eyebrow\">Funding \u00b7 North Rhine-Westphalia<\/p><h1 class=\"kf-disp kf-h1\">AI consulting &amp; training in NRW, funded via <span class=\"kf-o\">MID<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"kf-lede\">North Rhine-Westphalia funds digitalization through \u201cMittelstand Innovativ &amp; Digital\u201d (MID). I deliver the eligible service, you keep the funding.<\/p><div class=\"kf-cta-row\"><a class=\"kf-btn kf-btn-primary\" href=\"\/en\/book-a-call\/\">Check your eligibility \u2197<\/a><a class=\"kf-btn kf-btn-out\" href=\"#ablauf\">How it works<\/a><\/div><p class=\"kf-stand\">As of June 2026 \u00b7 no guarantee \u00b7 not legal or funding advice<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_facts e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"kfnw_facts\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_facts_w elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"kfnw_facts_w\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"kf\"><div class=\"kf-facts\"><div><div class=\"kf-fnum\">\u20ac15,000<\/div><div class=\"kf-flab\">max. grant (MID)<\/div><\/div><div><div class=\"kf-fnum\">50%<\/div><div class=\"kf-flab\">funding rate<\/div><\/div><div><div class=\"kf-fnum\">\u2264 250<\/div><div class=\"kf-flab\">employees (SME)<\/div><\/div><div><div class=\"kf-fnum\" style=\"color:#D9551A\">new<\/div><div class=\"kf-flab\">guideline since 01\/2026<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_prog e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"kfnw_prog\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_prog_w elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"kfnw_prog_w\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"kf kf-sec\"><div class=\"kf-wrap\"><div class=\"kf-shead\"><p class=\"kf-eyebrow\">The right programs<\/p><h2 class=\"kf-disp kf-h2\">The right program<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"kf-cards\"><div class=\"kf-card\"><h3>MID Digitalization<\/h3><div class=\"kf-amt\">up to \u20ac15,000 \u00b7 50%<\/div><p>For developing digital products based on key technologies such as AI, machine learning or data mining. With the NRW.BANK since 2026.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"kf-card dark\"><h3>More funding programs<\/h3><div class=\"kf-amt\">federal &amp; state overview<\/div><p>For a current overview of digitalization and AI funding, see the funding portal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xn--frdergeld-07a.org\/digitalisierungsfoerderung\/mid-foerderung-nrw-digitalisierungsfoerderung.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" style=\"color:#FF7A2E;font-weight:600\">f\u00f6rdergeld.org \u2197<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_feat e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"kfnw_feat\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_feat_w elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"kfnw_feat_w\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"kf kf-sec kf-sec--cream\"><div class=\"kf-wrap\"><div class=\"kf-shead\"><p class=\"kf-eyebrow\">Eligible service<\/p><h2 class=\"kf-disp kf-h2\">What I deliver<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"kf-feat\"><div><h4>AI &amp; automation consulting<\/h4><p>Rules or AI: the honest call on where it actually adds value.<\/p><\/div><div><h4>Training &amp; team enablement<\/h4><p>Your team learns to run the tools themselves, with no lock-in.<\/p><\/div><div><h4>Digital products with AI<\/h4><p>WordPress, Zoho One, n8n: implementation within the MID funding scope.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_note e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"kfnw_note\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_note_w elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"kfnw_note_w\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"kf kf-sec\"><div class=\"kf-wrap kf-note\"><div class=\"kf-shead\"><p class=\"kf-eyebrow\">Honestly<\/p><h2 class=\"kf-disp kf-h2\">Worth knowing<\/h2><\/div><ul><li>Since <strong>1 January 2026<\/strong> MID sits with the NRW.BANK, and funding for \u201cdigital processes\u201d (internal digitalization) has been <strong>removed<\/strong>. MID Digitalization now targets digital <strong>products<\/strong> with key technology, not every internal measure.<\/li><li>MID runs in <strong>two stages<\/strong>: first a lottery, then the actual application. A positive lottery result is a prerequisite.<\/li><li>MID no longer covers pure strategy and process consulting since 2026. For an overview of alternative programs, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xn--frdergeld-07a.org\/digitalisierungsfoerderung.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">f\u00f6rdergeld.org<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_steps e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"kfnw_steps\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_steps_w elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"kfnw_steps_w\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"kf kf-sec kf-sec--cream\" id=\"ablauf\"><div class=\"kf-wrap\"><div class=\"kf-shead\"><p class=\"kf-eyebrow\">Process<\/p><h2 class=\"kf-disp kf-h2\">How it works<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"kf-steps\"><div class=\"kf-step\"><b>01<\/b><div><h4>Check eligibility<\/h4> <span>We clarify in the intro call whether MID fits your project.<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kf-step\"><b>02<\/b><div><h4>Lottery (MID)<\/h4> <span>Register for the monthly draw.<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kf-step\"><b>03<\/b><div><h4>Apply<\/h4> <span>You file it, with my documents.<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kf-step\"><b>04<\/b><div><h4>Delivery<\/h4> <span>Consulting &amp; training after approval.<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kf-step\"><b>05<\/b><div><h4>Proof &amp; payout<\/h4> <span>Usage report, then the grant is paid.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_faq e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"kfnw_faq\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_faq_w elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"kfnw_faq_w\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"kf kf-sec\"><div class=\"kf-wrap kf-faq\"><div class=\"kf-shead\"><p class=\"kf-eyebrow\">FAQ<\/p><h2 class=\"kf-disp kf-h2\">Common questions<\/h2><\/div><details><summary>Is MID right for internal AI processes?<\/summary><p>Since 2026 only to a limited extent. MID Digitalization funds digital products with key technology, no longer every internal process digitalization. For an overview of further, also nationwide programs, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xn--frdergeld-07a.org\/digitalisierungsfoerderung.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">f\u00f6rdergeld.org<\/a>.<\/p><\/details><details><summary>What is the lottery procedure?<\/summary><p>MID runs in two stages: first a monthly lottery. Only with a positive result may you submit the formal application.<\/p><\/details><details><summary>How high is the funding?<\/summary><p>MID Digitalization up to \u20ac15,000 (50%). For hiring graduates, the MID Assistant sub-program offers up to \u20ac48,000.<\/p><\/details><details><summary>I am not based in NRW.<\/summary><p>Then a different state program applies. See the pages for <a href=\"\/en\/ki-foerderung-bayern\/\">Bavaria<\/a> or <a href=\"\/en\/ki-foerderung-baden-wuerttemberg\/\">Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg<\/a>.<\/p><\/details><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is MID right for internal AI processes?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Since 2026 only to a limited extent. MID Digitalization funds digital products with key technology, no longer every internal process digitalization. For an overview of further, also nationwide programs, see f\u00f6rdergeld.org.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the MID lottery procedure?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"MID runs in two stages: first a monthly lottery. Only with a positive result may the formal application be submitted.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How high is MID funding in NRW?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"MID Digitalization up to 15,000 euros at 50 percent. The MID Assistant sub-program offers up to 48,000 euros for hiring graduates.\"}}]}<\/script><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_cta e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"kfnw_cta\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-kfnw_cta_w elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"kfnw_cta_w\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"kf kf-cta kf-sec\"><div class=\"kf-wrap\"><p class=\"kf-eyebrow\">Let's talk<\/p><h2 class=\"kf-disp kf-h2\">Ready to check your funding?<\/h2><p>30 minutes, online, free. We clarify whether MID fits and whether your project is eligible, honestly and without a sales pitch.<\/p><div class=\"kf-cta-row\"><a class=\"kf-btn kf-btn-primary\" href=\"\/en\/book-a-call\/\">Book a call \u2197<\/a><a class=\"kf-btn kf-btn-out\" href=\"\/en\/contact\/\" style=\"color:#FBF8F2;border-color:#3a352c\">Contact form<\/a><\/div><p class=\"kf-links\">Other states: <a href=\"\/en\/ki-foerderung-bayern\/\">Bavaria<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/ki-foerderung-baden-wuerttemberg\/\">Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/foerderung\/\">Overview<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1625","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pletzenauer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pletzenauer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pletzenauer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pletzenauer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pletzenauer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1625"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pletzenauer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1703,"href":"https:\/\/pletzenauer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1625\/revisions\/1703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pletzenauer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}