MIPE massively extends deadlines for digitalisation projects in NRRPs: NGOs have until 30 April 2026, SMEs until 29 May 2026

The Ministry of Investments and European Projects came up with two decisions highly expected by the thousands of beneficiaries who risk losing the digitization financing from the NRRP due to the very tight deadlines of only 6 months. No one will be required to complete everything by the end of 2025.

Extension for NGOs

For NGOs, by Order No 5.774 of 20 November 2025, the implementation period of projects up to EUR 70,000 (Component 7 – Investment 9) may be extended, in justified cases, until 30 April 2026. The request is made by simple Notification uploaded in the NRRP platform and the MIPE has 10 working days to approve or reject the request. If the Ministry asks for clarifications, the deadline for replying is suspended until you receive the reply to them. The extension becomes valid only from the moment you receive the official approval.

The same Notification can also require the change of the project management team, where the initial people can no longer continue.

Extension for Non-IT SMEs

For non-IT SMEs that have obtained grants of up to EUR 100,000 (Component 9 – Investment 3), the possibility of extension until 29 May 2026 exists already in September, by Order No 5.521/26.09.2025, but MIPE issued yesterday new key clarifications.

The Ministry officially acknowledges that many projects are delayed due to objective reasons: Prolonged checks to reconfirm SME status, problems with suppliers, bottlenecks in procurement. Consequently, it accepts extension notifications even before the completion of the SME screening (which may take up to 45 days).

Importantly, the application must be submitted before the expiry of the initial 6 months of implementation. If you let the deadline pass and only then ask for an extension, the application will be automatically rejected.

Another statement that reassures many beneficiaries: you can start work and pay the suppliers immediately the day after signing the contract, without waiting for the result of the SME verification. The only restriction remains the submission of reimbursement claims – they are only uploaded once you receive official confirmation that your company is still eligible as an SME.

MIPE Statement and Recommendations

“We have seen that there are thousands of beneficiaries who have been working on projects for months and risk losing them just because they do not fall within 6 months. We have decided to give air to all those who have real reasons and want to carry out the projects", said MIPE representatives.

Thus, the two categories of beneficiaries now have a clear horizon: NGOs by 30 April 2026 and non-IT SMEs by 29 May 2026. Specialists in European funds recommend uploading notifications as soon as possible, with solid justifications and a realistic implementation schedule by the new deadlines.

So far, more than 4,500 NGOs and almost 8,000 SMEs have signed contracts on these digitization calls.