Lithuania opens a €64.99 million call to set up a national AI factory, led by research institutions: applications close 14 October 2026

Lithuania opens a €64.99 million call to set up a national AI factory, led by research institutions: applications close 14 October 2026

2 October 2026 — Innovation Agency Lithuania has opened a funding call "to ensure the establishment of an artificial intelligence factory and to activate in its operation a public, private and science sector cooperation model". The call was published on 30 September 2026 and opened for applications at 14:00 that day. It closes on 14 October 2026 at 17:00. The budget stated on the call page is €64,990,095; the agency's funding list rounds it to €65 million.

Not yet independently verified. This rests on the agency’s own call page, read in Lithuanian; no independent report was checked. The page does not state the time zone, which we take to be Lithuanian time, or set out the role partners may play in detail. We will update this when it can be confirmed, and remove this note.

Who can apply

The eligible applicants named on the call page are research and education institutions. Partners may include associations, public institutions, research bodies and budgetary institutions. Private companies are not listed as lead applicants; the cooperation model in the call's title is where industry fits.

Why it matters

"AI factories" are the European Union's model for giving start-ups, companies and researchers shared access to AI computing, data and expertise, usually built around a national supercomputing centre. A national AI factory in Lithuania would become the place where Lithuanian companies, and companies in the wider Baltic region, get subsidised access to AI infrastructure and support. The two-week window is short, which suggests the consortium is largely formed; the cooperation model it adopts will decide how companies get access once it runs.

What to do

• Lithuanian universities and research centres: the deadline is 14 October; the call documents set out the required consortium and budget rules.
• Lithuanian AI and software companies: contact the likely lead institutions now to ask how industry partners will be involved and how access will be allocated once the factory runs.
• Foreign AI companies with Baltic operations: follow the result, as AI factories usually open calls for users after they start.

Sources

• Innovation Agency Lithuania: call to establish an artificial intelligence factory and activate a public, private and research cooperation model — 30 September 2026