🇲🇾 Malaysia · Grants
AI grants in Malaysia: what is open now
Last checked: 18 Oct 2026 (MYT) · Baca dalam Bahasa Melayu
As of 18 Oct 2026, no AI grant for buying a chatbot or AI agent is open to Malaysian SMEs. Geran Digital PMKS MADANI (50% up to RM5,000) closed on 6 Sep 2025, per its official form. Budget 2027 announced a RM30 million MDEC fund to help 4,000 SMEs adopt AI, but application details are not published yet.
Sources: BSN · Official form · Budget 2027 speech
Grant status table
| Programme | Run by | What it pays for | Status (checked 18 Oct 2026) | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geran Digital PMKS MADANI (GDPM) | Ministry of Finance with BSN, MDEC and MCMC | 50% of the invoice or up to RM5,000 for digital services from appointed providers, including AI and e-invoice | Closed. The official application form linked from BSN says applications closed on 6 Sep 2025. No new round announced on BSN’s page. | BSN page · FAQ · Form |
| MDEC fund for SMEs to adopt AI (Budget 2027) | MDEC | RM30 million to help 4,000 SMEs adopt AI and automate operations; the programme also trains and certifies 5,000 AI professionals | Announced in the Budget 2027 speech (9 Oct 2026). Eligibility and how to apply not published yet. | Budget 2027 speech (BM PDF) |
| MDAG-AI (Malaysia Digital Acceleration Grant – AI) | MDEC | Up to 70% of cost or RM2 million for Malaysia Digital / MSC companies that develop AI products (not for buying a chatbot) | Closed. Application window was 8–18 July 2025. | mdec.my/grants/mdag-ai |
| Smart Automation Grant (SAG MADANI) | MIDA | 70:30 matching grant up to RM1 million for MSMEs in manufacturing and selected services to automate | Last published window 10 Nov–31 Dec 2023 (MIDA guideline). No newer window found on MIDA’s pages. | MIDA guideline · e-SAG |
| HRD Corp training funds | HRD Corp | Budget 2027: RM3 billion for 3 million training places. Registered employers use their levy for approved training | Ongoing scheme. Check with HRD Corp which AI courses are claimable. | hrdcorp.gov.my · Budget 2027 speech |
Status is taken only from official pages: BSN, the application form BSN links to, the Ministry of Finance budget speech, MDEC and MIDA. We will update this page when a new round opens.
Who qualified for Geran Digital PMKS MADANI
Per BSN’s published rules for the last round: MSMEs, cooperatives and professional service providers at least 60% owned by Malaysians, registered with SSM or a local authority (or SKM for cooperatives), operating for at least six months, with average annual sales of at least RM50,000. Up to three digital services could be claimed through appointed providers, and BSN paid its share to the provider.
- Do not pay anyone to “apply” for you. BSN’s FAQ says no fee is charged.
- Past recipients of the earlier digitalisation matching grant were not eligible, according to BSN’s FAQ.
How vendors bill when a grant is open
In the GDPM model, you appoint a listed provider, apply online with their quotation, pay the provider your share within 14 days of approval, and BSN pays the rest directly to the provider. Ask any vendor who mentions a grant to show you the official programme page and to put the grant-dependent price in writing.
Did any Malaysian case use a grant?
None of the published Malaysian cases on this site states that it was grant-funded. The case below was published by MDEC on its MD Tech Navigator. Tax, e-invoicing and HRD Corp paperwork workflows are on Grants, tax and e-invoicing, and costs on WhatsApp chatbot price.
Lamarsa Coffee: 10× leads with chat automation
MDEC's write-up reports 38% faster responses, 10× more leads and a 50% rise in sales.
FAQ
Is there an AI grant in Malaysia right now?
Not for SMEs buying AI tools, as of 18 Oct 2026. Budget 2027 announced a RM30 million MDEC fund for 4,000 SMEs to adopt AI, but how to apply has not been published. Geran Digital PMKS MADANI closed on 6 Sep 2025.
What is the MDEC AI adoption grant?
MDEC’s MDAG-AI paid up to 70% of costs or RM2 million to Malaysia Digital / MSC companies that develop AI products. Its window was 8–18 July 2025 and it is closed. It is for AI companies, not for SMEs buying a chatbot.
Is Geran Digital PMKS MADANI open in 2026?
No round has been announced. The official application form says applications closed on 6 Sep 2025 (last day 5 Sep 2025). The grant paid 50% of the invoice up to RM5,000.
Is there a grant for AI in manufacturing?
MIDA’s Smart Automation Grant (SAG MADANI) is a 70:30 matching grant up to RM1 million for manufacturing and selected services MSMEs. Its last published window was 10 Nov–31 Dec 2023. See AI in manufacturing in Malaysia.
Is AI training claimable under HRD Corp?
HRD Corp funds approved training for registered employers, and Budget 2027 gives it RM3 billion for 3 million training places. Check with HRD Corp whether a specific AI course is claimable before you book.
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