BAFA consulting subsidy: Deadline 31/12/2026 explained

The most important points at a glance

BAFA funding applies only to applications submitted by 31/12/2026 – the application date is decisive.
The consulting may take place in 2027; proof of use within six months after the information letter.
Grant: 80 % (new federal states, Lüneburg, Trier) or 50 % up to €3,500.
From 2027, INQA-Coaching remains (80%, vouchers until 30.06.2028).

The BAFA funding for management consulting for SMEs currently applies under the current guideline only to applications submitted by 31 December 2026. The decisive factor is the application date, not the end of the consulting assignment: anyone who applies in time can also carry out the consulting in early 2027. As of October 2026, no successor programme has been announced.

What exactly the guideline says

According to its section 8, the guideline applies “at the latest to applications submitted by 31 December 2026”. For planning purposes, this means:

Submit the application by 31.12.2026 via the BAFA application portal.
Wait for the information letter: Only then may the consulting begin – even a signed consulting agreement already counts as the start.
Carry out the consulting, maximum of five consulting days.
Proof of use submit no later than six months after receipt of the information letter.

Why you should not wait until December

Processing time: Time passes between the application and the information letter. Those who apply early can plan the consulting process reliably.
Consultant capacity:At the end of the year, many companies want to start at the same time.
Two consulting engagements per year:A maximum of two subsidized consulting engagements per year is possible – the application date is decisive. If you still have two topics in 2026, you must submit both applications this year.
Budget funds:There is no legal entitlement; BAFA decides within the available budget.

What the funding offers until then

Grant for consulting costs up to €3,500 net.
80 %in the new federal states as well as the Lüneburg and Trier regions – i.e. up to €2,800.
50 %in the old federal states, in Berlin and in the Leipzig region – i.e. up to €1,750.
Topics: economic, financial, personnel and organizational issues in business management – for example, where AI can be used effectively in the company.

All details on requirements and the process are available on the page BAFA consulting funding; the application is explained step by step Apply for BAFA consulting funding.

And from 2027 onward? The INQA-Coaching alternative

For projects that only start in 2027, INQA-Coaching remains available: coaching vouchers will be issued under the guideline of 12 June 2026 until 30 June 2028 nationwide with 80% funding up to twelve consulting days. However, it supports a longer, participation-oriented process rather than a short individual consultation. A comparison of both programs shows INQA coaching or BAFA.

Checklist for the remaining weeks

Define the consulting topic: What should be on the table as a recommendation at the end?
Select a consultant registered with BAFA.
Submit the application – and do not sign anything before the information letter.
Pay the invoice in full later by bank transfer and keep the bank statement.

Whether your company is eligible to apply and which program is suitable can be checked in the Funding Check in just a few minutes. bettersorted is a BAFA-registered consultant for digitalization and AI – contact us via the contact page an.

Schedule calculated backwards

Anyone who still wants to secure funding for consulting in 2026 should plan backwards from the deadline:

By the end of November: clarify the topic, select a registered consultant, prepare the application.
By mid-December at the latest:Submit the application via the BAFA platform – allowing time for technical issues.
After the information letter:Sign the consulting agreement, carry out the consulting (also possible in 2027).
Within six months after the information letter:Pay the invoice, submit the proof of use.

What happens to applications submitted after 31/12/2026?

Under the current guideline, they are no longer funded. As of October 2026, it is still unclear whether there will be a follow-up regulation. Do not rely on an extension, and submit the application in time – or plan projects from 2027 onward with INQA-Coaching.

BAFA and INQA compared

Program sponsor: BAFA (Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control) – INQA-Coaching: Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Grant: BAFA 80% (new federal states, Lüneburg, Trier) or 50% – INQA 80% nationwide
Scope: BAFA up to €3,500 in consulting costs, max. 5 days – INQA up to 12 days at max. €1,200 each
Format: BAFA individual consulting with report – INQA participation-oriented process with lab team
Term: BAFA applications until 31.12.2026 – INQA vouchers until 30.06.2028
Frequency: BAFA up to 2 per year, 5 in total – INQA once per company

Both programs may not be used for the same consulting assignment. However, different projects can certainly be funded one after the other – for example, first a short analysis through BAFA, then an accompanied change process through INQA.

Who we are

bettersorted is a BAFA-registered consultant and authorized INQA coach with a focus on digitalization and AI, based in Schwerin and co-founder of the KI|werk MV network. Among others, we have supported the DRK Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the strategic introduction of AI and the Pumpenallianz Nordin AI consulting support.

Common misconceptions about the deadline

“The consulting must be completed in 2026.” – No, the key factor is the application date.
“I can just get started and apply later.” – No, concluding the contract before the information letter excludes funding.
“There will definitely be an extension.” – As of October 2026, none has been announced.
“Berlin gets 80%.” – No, Berlin is one of the areas with 50%.

About bettersorted

bettersorted is an AI consulting and automation company from Schwerin. We are a BAFA-registered consultant, an authorized INQA coach, and co-founder of the KI|werk MV network; our practical experience comes from the social sector, skilled trades, and SMEs. Our solutions run on servers in Germany, with transparent workflows instead of a black box.

Frequently Asked Questions

Until when can the BAFA consulting grant be applied for?

Under the current guideline, until 31 December 2026. The relevant date is the date of application submission.

May the BAFA-funded consulting still take place in 2027?

Yes, if the application was submitted by 31.12.2026. The proof of use must be submitted no later than six months after receipt of the information letter.

Is there a successor program to the BAFA consulting grant?

As of October 2026, none has been announced. For projects starting in 2027, INQA-Coaching is a suitable option, with vouchers available until 30 June 2028.

Can I still apply for two BAFA consultations in 2026?

Yes, a maximum of two subsidized consultations per year is possible; the application date is decisive. Both applications must be submitted by 31/12/2026.

Status: October 2026. Only the currently valid version of the funding guideline is decisive.