The Russian government has pledged about 1.5 billion rubles (equivalent to $19.7 million) to support AI-based startups. The rules for providing such support were approved by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on March 29 at an operational meeting with Deputy Prime Ministers. Subsidies to be provided for the development of new services and solutions and for the acceleration of projects (assistance in the development of the project and the introduction of products to the market), the creation of open AI libraries.

Both small businesses and individuals would be able to apply for grants. The important criteria for successful selection will be the novelty of development and efficiency of solutions, the prospects for implementation and commercial implementation. The competitive selection of applicants and the provision of funding will be carried out by the Foundation for Assistance to the Development of Small Forms of Enterprises in the Scientific and Technical Sphere. It will also determine the terms and conditions of the competition, requirements for participants, a list of required documents.

The allocation of grants for the development of domestic solutions, including in the field of AI, is one of the measures to support the Russian IT industry, which Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko discussed with the industry in mid-March.

Original (in Russian)