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SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing
Last Update: March 6, 2026
Canada
Supports international advanced manufacturing R&D collaborations for innovative SMEs
Partnering and Collaboration
Grant and Funding
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.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open continuously
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
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.
Eligibility
- The project must be a collaborative R&D initiative in advanced manufacturing.
- The project consortium must include at least 2 partners from 2 different EUREKA countries.
- The project must have a planned duration of 2 to 3 years.
- For Canadian applicants seeking funding: the applicant must be an incorporated, profit-oriented Canadian SME (500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees).
- For Canadian applicants seeking funding: the SME must be eligible for NRC IRAP support (including being in operation for at least 12 months before the project proposal deadline and having at least 5 full-time equivalent employees in Canada on payroll).
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
- Canadian organizations that are not eligible for NRC IRAP funding (e.g., universities and research institutes) if they cannot secure alternative funding or self-fund their participation.
- Canadian businesses that are not incorporated and profit-oriented SMEs in Canada.
- Canadian businesses with more than 500 full-time equivalent employees.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada (for eligible incorporated Canadian SMEs applying through NRC IRAP).
- EUREKA member countries (project consortia must include partners from at least 2 different EUREKA countries).
How to apply
1
Confirm project fit
- Confirm your project fits the SMART advanced manufacturing scope
- Ensure you can form a consortium with at least 2 partners from 2 different EUREKA countries
2
Check project requirements
- Verify your project duration is 2 to 3 years
- Confirm the project budget is balanced (no single organization or country exceeds 70%)
3
Contact national funder
- Contact your national funding agency early for guidance on national funding applications
- In Canada, confirm whether you are eligible as an NRC IRAP-funded Canadian SME
4
Confirm NRC IRAP eligibility
- If you are a Canadian SME, confirm NRC IRAP client eligibility before applying for funding through this call
- Contact NRC IRAP for eligibility and client status information (1-877-994-4727)
5
Submit project outline
- Prepare and submit the project outline by January 22, 2026 (11:00 am CET)
- Follow the official SMART submission instructions
6
Submit full proposal
- Prepare and submit the full project proposal by April 27, 2026 (11:00 am CET)
- Follow the official SMART submission instructions
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
Peter.Bandas@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
1-877-994-4727
