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The Skolkovo Foundation announced support for AI projects in 2022 for 1.7 billion rubles

This year, the Skolkovo Foundation is launching a new competitive selection of projects developed by domestic companies. The main condition is the introduction of domestic AI solutions by these companies. The amount of grants ranges from 20 to 100 million rubles. Support is provided within the framework of the federal project "Artificial Intelligence" of the national program "Digital Economy of the Russian Federation". Details are under the cut.

Who can apply for support?

Companies implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for digital business transformation. Projects should be pilot and include the use of AI in production, the company's operations or in the services provided (SaaS model). At the same time, support is possible subject to the financing by customers of IT solutions of a part of the cost of projects from extrabudgetary sources.

Rustam Tikhonov, Director of the Department for Strategic Development and Innovation of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia: “At the moment, in the face of new challenges faced by domestic companies, supporting the development of artificial intelligence technology is becoming an extremely urgent task. As part of the federal project, a number of incentive measures have already been launched: funding projects for start-ups and large organizations, developing the education system, supporting the scientific community, developing standards and ethical norms. I am sure that these measures will help preserve the accumulated competencies, as well as create incentives for further development.”

It is worth noting that the support program was launched in September 2021. In 2021, the Fund selected 9 AI pilot projects, of which 8 received support for a total of 569 million rubles. Among them are enterprises of industry, healthcare, education, agriculture, etc. In November 2021, changes to the tender documentation came into force, allowing budgetary institutions to receive a grant.

Terms of participation in the program

There are not many of them:

· The status of a tax resident of the Russian Federation.

· Absence of debts on payment of taxes and insurance premiums.

· Absence of processes of reorganization, liquidation or bankruptcy of the company.

When selecting applications for the competition, an important role is played by the potential for replication and the competitiveness of the implemented solution. In 2022, it is planned to support at least 17 pilot projects, and the volume of grant support will amount to 1.7 billion rubles.

Kirill Kaem, Senior Vice President for Innovation at the Skolkovo Foundation: “The program to support the implementation of AI solutions was launched jointly with the Government last year and has already shown its relevance. 8 pilot implementation projects received support for a total of 569 million rubles. This includes the use of video analytics in educational institutions, software for analyzing the state of agricultural crops, an intelligent system for adaptive production management with integrated quality control. The launch of a new stage of project selection in the current situation has become even more relevant for business representatives implementing national programs to strengthen the Russian economy. The sustainable development of technology companies in the long term is the key to stability and confidence in the future.”

For more information and to apply for participation in the competition, please follow this link.

The Skolkovo Foundation announced support for AI projects in 2022 for 1.7 billion rubles