Planning a digital project often comes down to one question: how much can we invest right now? 

There is support available in Denmark that can reduce that burden. Through SMV:Digital (Digitalisering, rådgivertilskud), companies can receive grant for external advisory tied to digital initiatives. The support covers 50% of advisory costs, up to DKK 150,000, which typically relates to a project of around DKK 300,000. Official grant terms and application details are published on Digitalisering (rådgivertilskud).

Read on to see how it works, what it can be used for, and how to approach it in a way that makes the funding worthwhile

What is the consultancy grant?

SMV:Digital (Digitalisering, rådgivertilskud) is a national programme backed by public funding in Denmark. It helps small and mid-sized companies work with external advisors on digital initiatives. The programme supports the early phase of a project, where a company needs to understand its current position, define what needs to change, and prepare for implementation. 

Use the valuable consultancy grant to get the best start

The grant is useful at the point where a company is about to commit budget, but key decisions are still open. Questions around approach, scope, and order of work often come up here, and getting those wrong can lead to rework later.

Advisory work helps put structure around those decisions. For example, a company planning a new platform may find that the main issue is how ERP and CRM data is handled, or that the work should be split into smaller phases instead of one large build.

At the end of this stage, the project is defined in a way that can be reviewed internally and taken forward with fewer surprises.

What the consultancy grant can be used for 

The consultancy grant can be used for advisory linked to digital projects that need proper definition before any build work begins. It is relevant when a company has an idea or a business need, but still needs help working out the approach, scope, requirements, technical approach, costs, and sequence. 

It can be used for: 

  • Planning a platform, portal, or software product 

  • Shaping a website project with forms, workflows, integrations, or structured content 

  • Preparing integrations between ERP, CRM, e-commerce, and other applications 

  • Mapping how data passes between applications and where gaps appear 

  • Defining user needs, feature scope, and technical requirements for a digital product 

  • Reviewing, reporting, and data use across the business 

  • Assessing where AI can support productivity or service delivery 

  • Preparing a phased plan before development starts 

This kind of advisory gives the company a better basis for budget approval, supplier selection, and the next phase of work.

Where Phases can help

Many companies know what they want to improve, but still need help turning that into an advisory assignment that fits the grant rules and produces something useful afterwards. That is where a partner can help before the application is submitted and after the advisory work is approved. You can also review recent Phases case studies to see the kind of digital initiatives that can follow from a well-defined advisory phase.

Phases can help shape the advisory assignment, so it answers the right questions first, then continues into delivery once the funded phase is complete. That is relevant for companies preparing software, websites with richer functionality, integrations, AI work, or broader digital product initiatives.

During the advisory phase

  • Shape the project for the SMV:Digital (Digitalisering, rådgivertilskud) consultancy grant

  • Define advisory scope for digital initiatives

  • Connect business needs with technical planning

  • Prepare the next delivery phase

After the advisory phase

  • Custom software development

  • Umbraco and website delivery with richer functionality

  • Integration between applications and data flows

  • Cloud and DevOps work

  • AI-enabled products and services

Related delivery examples can be seen in Phases case studies.

What the grant looks like 

The model is straightforward - the grant covers half of the eligible advisory spend, up to DKK 150,000, which means the advisory budget can go up to DKK 300,000 if the company funds the other half. One point often gets missed: the company needs enough cash to pay the advisor first and wait for reimbursement later. The project period can run for up to 8 months, and payment is made after the work has been completed, reported, and approved. The current rules are described on Virksomhedsguiden. 

That makes the grant a good fit for companies that already have budget approval in principle, but want public funding to reduce the upfront cost of the advisory phase. This type of support is often referred to as "rådgivertilskud, digitalisering" in Denmark. 

  • 50% of the eligible advisory cost is covered 

  • The maximum grant is DKK 150,000 

  • The advisory budget can reach DKK 300,000 

  • Reimbursement comes after completion and approval 

  • The project period runs for up to 8 months 

What the consultancy grant does not cover 

This is one of the biggest points to explain well. The grant supports advisory work, not build work. So a company can use it to define scope, review architecture, assess integrations, or prepare a roadmap, but it cannot use the same grant for programming, configuration, content production, or day-to-day operational work. Eligible work is described as analytical, preparatory, planning, or follow-up activity, while coding, configuration, operations, content work, and marketing activity are excluded. 

For many companies, the best way to handle this is to treat the grant as phase one. Use the funded phase to work out what should be built, what order the work should follow, and what the budget will need to cover after the advisory stage ends. 

  • Advisory and planning work can be funded 

  • Development work cannot be funded 

  • Configuration and operations cannot be funded 

  • Content production and marketing activity cannot be funded 

  • The next build phase needs its own budget 

Who can apply

The grant is aimed at established Danish SMEs rather than very early ventures. The formal requirements include a Danish CVR number, SME status under the EU definition, at least one annual report, and at least two full-time equivalents. The company must also fall within EU de minimis state aid limits at the group level.

That means the grant suits companies that already have operations in place and are preparing a defined digital initiative.

  • Danish CVR number

  • Fewer than 250 employees under the EU SME definition

  • At least one annual report

  • At least two full-time equivalents

  • Within EU de minimis limits

What kind of projects fit well

The best fit is a project where advisory work leads to a defined delivery phase afterwards. That includes projects where a company needs to work out scope, data flows, user needs, architecture, or rollout order before any build work starts.

Good examples include a website initiative with integrations and structured content, a portal or self-service solution, an internal software tool, an AI initiative that needs technical planning first, or integration work connecting ERP, CRM, e-commerce, and other applications.

A typical example could be a Danish company preparing a customer portal where ERP, CRM, and internal workflows need to connect. Advisory work is used to define how these parts should work together before any development starts.

  • Website initiative with integrations and structured content

  • Portal or self-service solution

  • Internal software tool

  • AI initiative that needs technical planning first

  • Integration work connecting ERP, CRM, e-commerce, and other applications

  • Broader digital product initiative

Get help with your SMV: Digitization application

  • When can companies apply for SMV:Digital funding in Denmark?

    SMV:Digital (Digitalisering, rådgivertilskud) runs in specific application rounds during the year. For 2026, known openings include 11 May for the digitization advisory grant and 28 September for cybersecurity and digitization. Exact dates and requirements are published on SMV:Digital (Digitalisering, rådgivertilskud) and Virksomhedsguiden, so companies should check the official pages before applying.

  • How long does an SMV:Digital consultancy project take from approval to payout?

    The advisory phase can run for up to 8 months. After completion, the company submits documentation and receives reimbursement once the report is approved. The full process can therefore take several months from approval to final payout

  • Do companies need to pay the advisor before receiving SMV:Digital funding?

    Yes. The company pays the advisor during the project and receives reimbursement after the work is completed and approved. This means the company must be able to cover its share and the upfront cost during the project period.

  • Can a company apply for SMV:Digital more than once?

    A company can apply again after completing and reporting a previous project. Only one active project per CVR number is allowed at a time within the same track, so the next application depends on finishing the current one.

  • What types of digital projects are approved under SMV:Digital?

    Projects are approved when they show a defined business need and a clear use for the advisory work. This often includes planning a website with integrations, a portal, internal software, data and reporting improvements, AI initiatives, or integration between ERP, CRM, and other applications. The advisory work must define scope, requirements, and next steps before development.

  • What makes an SMV:Digital application strong?

    A stronger application does not need polished language. It needs a project description that makes sense. The programme evaluates business potential and feasibility, so the application should explain what the company is trying to improve, why the advisory work is needed now, and how the work will be used after the grant-funded phase ends. The official criteria also look at organisational and financial capacity.

    A useful way to think about it is from the reviewer’s perspective: they need to see that the work is relevant, realistic, and worth funding.

    • A defined business need

    • Advisory work that fits the grant rules

    • A scope that can be completed within the grant period

    • Internal capacity to take part in the project

    • A sound next step after the advisory phase

  • What kind of digital projects fit SMV:Digital funding?

    The best fit is a project where advisory work leads to a defined delivery phase afterwards. That includes projects where a company needs to work out scope, data flows, user needs, architecture, or rollout order before any build work starts.

    Good examples include a website initiative with integrations and structured content, a portal or self-service solution, an internal software tool, an AI initiative that needs technical planning first, or integration work connecting ERP, CRM, e-commerce, and other applications.

    A typical example could be a Danish company preparing a customer portal where ERP, CRM, and internal workflows need to connect. Advisory work is used to define how these parts should work together before any development starts.

    • Website initiative with integrations and structured content

    • Portal or self-service solution

    • Internal software tool

    • AI initiative that needs technical planning first

    • Integration work connecting ERP, CRM, e-commerce, and other applications

    • Broader digital product initiative

  • When does SMV:Digital open for applications in 2026?

    SMV:Digital (Digitalisering, rådgivertilskud) runs in rounds during the year, with specific opening and closing dates. Official dates and pool descriptions are published on Virksomhedsguiden.

    • 11 May 2026: Digitization advisory pool opens

    • 28 September 2026: Cybersecurity and digitization advisory pool opens

    • Detailed pool descriptions are published closer to each opening

    Preparing the advisory scope before the application window opens can make a difference, as timelines are often short.

  • How should companies prepare an SMV:Digital application?

    Before starting the application, it helps to align internally on a few points.

    • What the advisory work needs to answer

    • What comes after the advisory phase

    • Which initiative is being prepared

    • Whether the budget is available for the company's share

    Many companies preparing an ansøgning SMV Digital choose to work with an external advisor at this stage to improve structure and approval chances. If you are considering the SMV:Digital ("SMV:Digital - Digitalisering, rådgivertilskud") or another digitization grant in Danmark ("tilskud til digitalisering") for a digital initiative? Phases can review the idea, help define the advisory scope, and outline the next delivery phase after approval.