First teaching career 2026: funds on accredited courses, including training in artificial intelligence

Teachers in Romania's pre-university education system will receive RON 1,500 in 2026 through the Teaching Career Bonus scheme. Under the rules governing the programme, at least RON 975 (65% of the total amount) must be used for accredited or Ministry-approved professional training, while the remaining amount can be spent on other eligible educational resources and activities.

Among the training options available this year are accredited programmes focused on the use of artificial intelligence in education.

When should you apply

Two separate deadlines apply to the scheme:

• The payment deadline: 31 August 2026 for staff in pre-university education and 30 September 2026 for staff in higher education.
• The spending deadline comes one year later: 31 August 2027 for pre-university education and 30 September 2027 for higher education.

The funds may therefore be used throughout the following year, provided that the beneficiary remains employed within the education system. Any unspent balance is lost if the beneficiary leaves the system before the relevant deadline. The card must also be activated before it can be used for the first time.

Minimum RON 975 (65% of the total amount) must be allocated to professional training programmes accredited or approved by the Ministry of Education. The remaining RON 525 may be used for other eligible educational resources and activities, including books, subscriptions to educational platforms, teaching materials, and tickets to museums or theatre performances. The scheme is designed primarily to support teachers' professional development, with the majority of the bonus reserved specifically for training.

Where to find eligible Courses

• Official information page and updated lists: edu.ro/prima_cariera_didactica_info_liste
• Accredited programmes for pre-university education are published as a PDF document on the Ministry’s website.
• For higher education, the reference is the National Register of Training Programs, at anc.edu.ro/rnc/rnpp

The list of accredited programmes increased significantly in the months before payment, meaning that the offer now available is wider than in previous editions. We recommend checking the accreditation order number for any programme before enrolment — it is the only way to confirm that a course is indeed eligible for premium reimbursement.

Artificial intelligence training becomes eligible

The list of eligible programmes includes accredited courses dedicated to the use of artificial intelligence in teaching. These programmes cover practical applications such as lesson design, the generation of tests and teaching materials, and assessment.

Their growing presence in the professional development offer comes at a particularly significant moment for schools. From 2 August 2026, the European Artificial Intelligence Act has entered a new phase of application, with Article 4 establishing AI literacy obligations for organisations that develop or use AI systems. Schools are increasingly part of that broader conversation around how AI is used responsibly and effectively.

At the same time, optional AI subjects are set to enter Romanian high schools in autumn 2026, further increasing the need for teachers to develop relevant knowledge and practical skills.

Legal framework

The 2026 teaching career bonus is governed by Government Emergency Order No 39/2026, approved by Law No 163/2026, published in the Official Gazette on 5 August 2026. The list of eligible expenditure is established by Order No 4.325/2026.

Under the current rules, 2026 is expected to be the final edition of the scheme in its current form, following the programme's reduction by one year.