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.
Selection criteria
- Relevance to the SMART program.
- Quality and efficiency of implementation, including consortium quality.
- Market impact and commercialisation potential.
- Contact with the relevant national funding authorities.
- For FPPs, technical achievability and new applied knowledge are also considered.
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
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
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)