Skills Checks 2026: Promotion in Austria

The FFG’s Skills Checks are a funding measure of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism that supports companies in Austria with professional development for employees.

The aim of the funding is to support companies in their digital and ecological transformation. Funding is provided for further training that strengthens skills in areas such as digitalization, sustainability and future technologies.

With the Skills Checks, companies receive a non-repayable subsidy for further training costs in order to qualify skilled workers for a future-oriented economy.

The FFG’s Skills Checks funding is aimed at companies with a branch in Austria.

Eligible are:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• large companies

Companies in the process of being founded are not eligible to apply.
In addition, the requirements of the EU’s de minimis regulation must be met.

Funding is provided for professional development for employees who contribute to the sustainable or digital transformation of the economy.

Typical subject areas are, for example

• Digitalization and Industry 4.0
• Software, data analysis and new technologies
• Sustainability and ecological transformation
• Innovative production methods and processes

The training courses must have a clear focus on digitalization or sustainability and take place at a recognized training provider.

The Skills Checks funding from the FFG amounts to a maximum of:

• 50 % of the eligible training costs
• maximum € 5,000 per employee:in

Up to 5 employees per company can be supported.

Examples:

• Further training costs € 5,000 → Funding € 2,500
• Further training costs € 10,000 → Funding € 5,000
• Further training costs over €10,000 → Funding remains capped at €5,000

The funding is granted as a non-repayable subsidy.

Several criteria must be met for further training to be supported by Skills Checks:

• The application must be submitted before the start of the training
• The invoice must not have been issued at the time of application
• The training must be completed within 18 months
• The course must take place at a recognized training provider

Only further training courses with a focus on digitalization or sustainability are eligible for funding.

The Skills Checks application is submitted exclusively online via the FFG eCall system system.

The procedure:

1. Registration in the FFG eCall Portal
2. Selection of the Skills Checks funding measure
3. Entering the training measure and costs
4. Electronic submission of the application

After submission, the FFG reviews the application. As a rule, companies receive a funding decision within a few days.

The most important points of the current tender:

• Promotion of professional development with a focus on digitalization or environmental sustainability
• Up to 50 % funding for further training costs
• maximum € 5,000 per employee:in
• Funding for up to 5 employees per company
• Online application via the FFG eCall system

The calls for proposals may be closed early depending on the availability of funds, which is why early application is recommended.

Companies should therefore regularly check when new Skills Checks are published in order to secure funding for further training measures in good time.