Closed
SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing
Supports international advanced manufacturing R&D collaborations for innovative SMEs
Last Update: April 13, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Closing date : January 22, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The SMART Cluster’s 9th call for proposals supports international, close-to-market collaborative R&D projects in advanced manufacturing, with Canadian SME funding available through NRC IRAP. The maximum funding amount is not specified, and eligible activities include joint R&D in areas such as advanced manufacturing processes, digital and efficient companies, intelligent systems, person‑machine collaboration, and sustainable manufacturing.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Closing date : January 22, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 500,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- 5-500 employees
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Collaborative, international research and development projects that are close to market in advanced manufacturing.
- Joint R&D projects to develop or improve advanced manufacturing processes.
- Joint R&D projects focused on customer-based manufacturing.
- Joint R&D projects to build digital, virtual and efficient manufacturing companies.
- Joint R&D projects developing intelligent and adaptive manufacturing systems, including person-machine collaboration and sustainable manufacturing solutions.
Documents Needed
- Project Outline template
- Cost information template
- Letter of intent for each project participant
- Full Project Proposal template
- SMART Financial Template and Declaration of Acceptance for the FPP stage
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (up to 500 full-time equivalent employees) applying for NRC IRAP funding
- Organizations active in advanced manufacturing (e.g., advanced manufacturing processes, customer-based manufacturing, digital/virtual/efficient companies, intelligent/adaptive manufacturing systems, person–machine collaboration, sustainable manufacturing)
- Other Canadian organizations (e.g., universities, research institutes) participating on a self-funded basis or as subcontractors, subject to national funding rules
Who is not eligible
- Organizations outside EUREKA Member and Associated Countries.
- Projects without at least 2 industrial companies from 2 different participating countries.
Eligible geographic areas
- EUREKA Member and Associated Countries.
- Canada.
Processing and Agreement
- Project Outlines are pre-selected by the SMART Technical Committee and SMART Public Authorities.
- Invited projects receive recommendations and improvements to support the Full Project Proposal.
- Full Project Proposals are evaluated by the SMART Technical Committee and SMART Public Authorities.
- The SMART Board decides on project labelling after the FPP evaluation.
- After labelling, projects may apply for funding with their national public authorities.
Additional information
- SMART projects must include at least two partners from two different EUREKA countries.
- Projects are expected to run for 2 to 3 years.
- The project budget must be balanced among participants/countries (no single organization or country may account for more than 70% of the total project budget).
- A SMART PO Proposers’ Day for project consortium building is scheduled for October 14–15, 2025.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing?
The SMART Cluster’s 9th call for proposals supports international, close-to-market collaborative R&D projects in advanced manufacturing, with Canadian SME funding available through NRC IRAP. The maximum funding amount is not specified, and eligible activities include joint R&D in areas such as advanced manufacturing processes, digital and efficient companies, intelligent systems, person‑machine collaboration, and sustainable manufacturing.
Who is eligible for the SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing program?
To be eligible for the SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing program, you must:
Incorporated, for-profit Canadian SME (≤500 FTE employees)
Operating ≥12 months and ≥5 Canada-based FTEs (T4 payroll)
NRC IRAP client-eligible; capacity for multi-year international R&D and commercialization
What expenses are eligible under SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing?
Collaborative, international research and development projects that are close to market in advanced manufacturing.
Joint R&D projects to develop or improve advanced manufacturing processes.
Joint R&D projects focused on customer-based manufacturing.
Joint R&D projects to build digital, virtual and efficient manufacturing companies.
Joint R&D projects developing intelligent and adaptive manufacturing systems, including person-machine collaboration and sustainable manufacturing solutions.
Who can I contact for more information about the SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing?
You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC) by email at Peter.Bandas@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-994-4727.
Where is the SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing available?
The SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing program is available across Canada.
Is the SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing a grant, loan, or tax credit?
SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing is a Partnering and Collaboration
Who are the financial supporters of the SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing?
SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing is funded by National Research Council Canada (NRC), Eureka Network (EUREKA)