Tilskudd til bedriftsintern opplæring (BIO)

Akershus fylkeskommune publishes the guidelines page "Retningslinjer for tilskuddsordningen bedriftsintern opplæring Akershus" (Guidelines for the in-company training grant scheme, Akershus) describing the BIO-ordningen (BIO scheme). Per the page, the purpose is to "bidra til å gi bedrifter kompetansen de trenger for å gjennomføre omstilling, og innovasjon med mål om å fremme bedriftens konkurransekraft" (help give businesses the competence they need to carry out transformation and innovation aimed at strengthening the company's competitiveness).

What it funds. Support covers training costs ("Opplæringskostnader"), for example course fees and the hire of an external course provider — the training "skal skje i regi av en ekstern leverandør, fortrinnsvis en akkreditert utdanningsinstitusjon" (must be delivered by an external provider, preferably an accredited educational institution). It also covers wage costs for employees during the training period (not where the participant already receives NAV support) and other minor costs such as travel, course materials and licences; those other minor costs "kan ikke utgjøre mer enn 1/3 av totalbudsjettet" (cannot exceed 1/3 of the total budget). The training period may be "inntil 1 år / to semestre" (up to one year / two semesters).

The page lists encouraged thematic areas ("Satsingsområder"): "Grønn omstilling og sirkulærøkonomi" (green transition and circular economy), "Digitalisering og kunstig intelligens" (digitalisation and artificial intelligence), and "Integrering og mangfold i arbeidslivet" (integration and diversity in working life). The page states that businesses with other transformation and innovation needs beyond these areas may also apply.

Who can apply. "Alle små- og mellomstore bedrifter med inntil 250 ansatte" (all small and medium-sized enterprises with up to 250 employees) that need to upskill their own staff to carry out a transformation. The business "må ha forretningsadresse i Akershus, og de som deltar i opplæringen må ha sin arbeidsplass i Akershus" (must have a business address in Akershus, and participants must have their workplace in Akershus). Sole proprietorships ("Enkeltpersonforetak") with at least one employee and limited companies ("Aksjeselskap") may apply; the owner of a sole proprietorship does not count as an employee. The business must have been operating for more than two years. An applicant cannot have received BIO funds within the last two years (from the date the final report was submitted).

Funding amounts. The page states: "Det kan søkes om inntil 750 000 kroner i støtte per bedrift" (up to NOK 750,000 in support per business) and "maksimalt 75 000 kroner per ansatt som deltar i opplæring" (maximum NOK 75,000 per participating employee). Businesses may apply for "inntil 50 % dekning av kostnadene" (up to 50% coverage of costs); the remainder must be the business's own contribution. Wage-cost hourly rates are calculated at "0,9 promille av brutto årslønn, begrenset oppad til 1000 kroner per time" (0.9 per mille of gross annual salary, capped at NOK 1,000 per hour). 50% of the grant is paid when the conditions are accepted and the remainder after an approved final report.

How and when to apply. "Tilskuddsordning for Bedriftsintern opplæring (BIO) i Akershus behandler søknader løpende. Det er derfor ingen søknadsfrist." (The scheme processes applications on a rolling basis; there is therefore no application deadline.) Applications are submitted via www.regionalforvaltning.no. An education/training plan ("Opplærings- og kursplan") is a mandatory attachment. Awards are decided by the "fylkesråd for næring" or a delegated authority. Appeals go to the complaints board in Akershus; the contact address is Akershus fylkeskommune, rådsområde næring, e-post: post@afk.no. The page records "Sist endret 03.03.2026" (last changed 3 March 2026).