Russia Offers Grants up to $24M for Breakthrough IT Projects
The funding push comes with strict new rules: projects must integrate artificial intelligence and prove they can scale across industries while delivering measurable returns.
Russia is raising the stakes for its tech sector, offering grants of up to 2 billion rubles (around $24 million) to jumpstart breakthrough IT projects.
The initiative, announced by Russia’s Industrial Competence Centers, marks the third wave of state support for domestic software. A total of 8.3 billion rubles (about $99 million) has been allocated through the Russian Fund for IT Development, with winners to be announced by year’s end.
Selection rules have been tightened by a government commission on digital development, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko. Applicants must demonstrate that their solutions can be deployed by at least three organizations and generate revenues at least 10% higher than the grant amount within three years of project completion. Every submission is also required to feature an AI module. Companies are obliged to repay the grant in full—through taxes and social contributions—ensuring accountability.
Officials say the policy shift reflects a focus on quality and economic impact rather than volume. By backing commercially viable projects, the state aims to create competitive domestic software that can succeed internationally while bolstering Russia’s digital sovereignty.
