SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals | advanced manufacturing

Description

SMART, the EUREKA Cluster program focused on advanced manufacturing, has launched their 9th annual call for collaborative research and development project proposals. This flexible, industry-driven Cluster program aims to promote innovative, collaborative, international and close-to-market R&D projects in advanced manufacturing.

SMART, the EUREKA Cluster program focused on advanced manufacturing, has launched their 9th annual call for collaborative research and development project proposals. This flexible, industry-driven Cluster program aims to promote innovative, collaborative, international and close-to-market R&D projects in advanced manufacturing.

1. Sector of focus

Advanced manufacturing in the following areas:

• advanced manufacturing processes
• customer-based manufacturing
• digital, virtual and efficient companies
• intelligent and adaptive manufacturing systems
• person-machine collaboration
• sustainable manufacturing

2. Application deadlines

• Project outline: January 22, 2026, 11:00 am CET
• Full project proposal: April 27, 2026, 11:00 am CET

3. How to apply

To apply, applicants must follow these instructions to submit their proposal.

SMART projects must have at least 2 partners from 2 different EUREKA countries, have a duration project of 2 to 3 years, and the budget must be balanced among participants/countries (no single organization or country can be responsible for more than 70% of the project budget).

4. Related tools and events

SMART PO Proposers' Day for project consortium building on October 14 and 15, 2025.

5. Project funding

Eligible project participants in collaborative projects selected through this call for proposals may receive funding from their respective national funding body. Funds will be provided in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, rules and procedures established by the relevant national funding body, country, jurisdiction or program.

Each project participant should contact their national funding agency early in the process and follow their advice regarding national funding applications in parallel to the proposal submission.

Project participants not eligible for funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) or their National Funding Body (e.g., universities, research institutes, and participants from other countries) are welcome to participate on a self-funded basis or as subcontractors to funded participants, according to each country's funding regulations.

6. Canadian funding eligibility

Canadian SMEs

In Canada, this call for proposals is offered through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). NRC IRAP funding is only available for eligible Canadian small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Project participants who are not eligible for funding are welcome to participate on a self-funded basis.

To be eligible for funding, a Canadian SME applicant must:

• be an incorporated, profit-oriented SME in Canada (defined as having 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees)
• have been in operation for a minimum of 12 months prior to the project proposal deadline specified above
• have a minimum of 5 full-time equivalent employees located in Canada (on your company payroll and issued a T4), excluding contract employees
• pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada
• have a differentiated and protectable technology with commercial potential in global markets
• have the financial capacity (working capital, sales revenue, investment, etc.) and the operational capacity (personnel, expertise, resources, etc.) to undertake an international multi-year R&D collaboration while maintaining regular operations, and to subsequently commercialize the results
• be committed to significant growth through international market expansion

Preference may be given to SME applicants who meet the criteria below. If one or more criteria are unmet, a strong rationale must be provided in the Expression of Interest (EOI) form for possible consideration:

• have a minimum of 15 full‑time equivalent employees located in Canada (on your company payroll and issued a T4), excluding contract employees
• have commercialized one or more products internationally
• have more than $500,000 CAD in annual sales revenue.

Note: Canadian SME applicants must be eligible for funding as NRC IRAP clients before they can be considered for funding through this call for proposals. For more information on NRC IRAP eligibility and becoming an NRC IRAP client, please contact NRC IRAP at 1-877-994-4727.

Note: Canadian SME applicants may apply to more than one NRC IRAP funded call for proposals simultaneously. However, NRC IRAP may limit the number of funded projects per applicant. Canadian SME applicants who are applying to more than one opportunity or who have ongoing NRC IRAP projects should speak to their NRC IRAP representative for more information.

Other Canadian organizations

Other types of Canadian organizations may participate in SMART projects, but need to secure funding from alternative sources or self-fund their project participation.