SMART Cluster’s 8th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing
Canada
Advance international R&D in manufacturing through SMART Eureka Cluster
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateJanuary 16, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- National Research Council Canada (NRC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The SMART Cluster's 8th call for proposals aims to support collaborative R&D projects in advanced manufacturing, focusing on areas such as advanced processes, digital manufacturing, and sustainable systems. Canadian SMEs can receive funding through NRC IRAP, provided they meet eligibility criteria to develop and commercialize innovative, technology-driven products.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports projects aimed at advancing manufacturing processes through collaborative, international R&D initiatives. The focus is on integrating innovative technologies to improve efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing.
- Projects developing advanced manufacturing processes.
- Initiatives in customer-based manufacturing solutions.
- Projects aimed at creating digital, virtual, and efficient companies.
- Development of intelligent and adaptive manufacturing systems.
- Initiatives promoting person-machine collaboration.
- Projects focusing on sustainable manufacturing practices.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's business profile and project objectives.
- The applicant must be an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Canada.
- The SME should have 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
- The business must pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services, or processes in Canada.
- Applicants need to have a differentiated and protectable technology that could become competitive in global markets.
- The enterprise must have sufficient working capital and resources to undertake a multi-year R&D collaboration and commercialize the results.
- The company should be committed to significant growth through international market expansion.
- Preference may be given to businesses with a minimum of 15 full-time equivalent employees.
- Preference may also be given to firms that have commercialized one or more products domestically or internationally, and have greater than $500,000 CAD in annual revenue.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible Canadian applicants for the SMART Cluster call for proposals include Canadian small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in advanced manufacturing projects that require collaboration with partners from at least two Eureka countries. The SMEs must be incorporated, profit-oriented, have 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, and demonstrate a focus on developing and commercializing technology-driven innovations that can compete in global markets. Additionally, Canadian organizations that do not qualify for NRC IRAP funding can participate in these projects but must secure alternative funding or be self-funded.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant is intended for Canadian SMEs in the field of advanced manufacturing, and certain organizations are not eligible for funding under the NRC IRAP. Participation is mostly restricted to profit-oriented entities with specific innovation and growth objectives.
- Universities and research institutes that do not secure alternative funding.
- Canadian organizations that are not incorporated, profit-oriented SMEs.
- Entities with more than 500 full-time equivalent employees.
- Non-profit organizations and similar entities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant requires applicants to have at least two partners from different Eureka countries. Canadian funding is specifically available to eligible SMEs as per the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program.
- Any Eureka country partners as part of the consortium.
- Canadian SMEs eligible under NRC IRAP.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Form a Consortium
- Identify partners from at least two different Eureka countries to collaborate on your project.
- Ensure the consortium has balanced contributions and a clear participation purpose for each member.
- Step 2: Draft Project Outline
- Prepare a project outline to organize ideas and align with potential partners, although optional, it is recommended to prepare before January 16, 2025.
- Step 3: Develop Full Project Proposal
- Create a detailed project proposal that fulfills SMART's criteria, focusing on innovation, collaboration, and market readiness in the specified sectors of interest.
- Highlight your project’s objectives, methodology, consortium details, and expected outcomes.
- Ensure the project's duration is between 2 and 3 years.
- Step 4: Prepare Budgets and Funding Strategy
- Ensure that the project budget is balanced among the participating countries.
- Contact your national funding agency, such as NRC IRAP in Canada, to confirm your eligibility and understand the funding process.
- Step 5: Submit Proposal
- Compile all necessary documents and ensure they meet the application format and requirements.
- Submit the full project proposal by April 10, 2025, 11:00 am CEST through the designated submission portal.
- Step 6: Confirm Submission
- Receive confirmation of submission from the SMART cluster once your application has been successfully submitted.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- SMART projects require a balanced budget among all participating countries and partners.
- Applicants must coordinate closely with national funding bodies to ensure proper alignment with funding regulations.
- Participation in the SMART PO Proposers' Day event could facilitate the creation of project consortiums.
- Collaboration must involve partners from at least two different countries among the Eureka member countries.
grant_single_labels|contact
Peter.Bandas@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Apply to this program
Driving Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing
The SMART Cluster's 8th call for proposals invites businesses engaged in advanced manufacturing to collaborate on international R&D projects. It aims to foster near-market innovations and cross-border partnerships to advance sustainable manufacturing processes.
Diving Deep into SMART Cluster's 8th Call for Proposals
The SMART Cluster initiative, part of the larger Eureka network, is revolutionizing the advanced manufacturing sector by calling for groundbreaking project proposals. This eighth iteration emphasizes international cooperation among businesses to tackle contemporary manufacturing challenges. Among its core areas are advanced manufacturing processes, intelligent and adaptive manufacturing systems, and sustainable manufacturing solutions. The overarching goal is to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative manufacturing solutions that can enhance productivity, improve efficiency, and drive sustainability across a diverse array of industries.
The emphasis on sustainability and advanced technology within this call reflects the global trends of reducing carbon footprints and enhancing resource efficiency. By encouraging collaborations among different Eureka countries, SMART seeks to integrate diverse expertise and insights, fostering an ecosystem that drives innovation beyond national borders. The proposals are to be submitted in two phases, with an optional project outline due by January 16, 2025, which encourages early feedback and fine-tuning of ideas, followed by the final full proposal deadline on April 10, 2025.
Eligible Canadian entities, particularly SMEs, have a unique opportunity to leverage this call through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). This indicates a strong support system for Canadian innovation and technology-driven enterprises aiming to penetrate global markets. The funding mechanism provided by NRC IRAP underscores the importance of having a sound business model and a potential for market competitiveness, ensuring that only firms with strong business fundamentals and international growth aspirations are funded.
An essential component for all participants is understanding the financial directives of their respective national bodies, ensuring compliance and optimizing funding applications. SMART projects facilitate collaboration but require balanced budgetary input from participating countries, ensuring a fair distribution of resources and responsibilities. As highlighted, participants are encouraged to engage with their national funding agencies early in the project conceptualization phase to align national priorities with project goals.
The SMART initiative not only provides financial support but also offers a platform for knowledge exchange, technical assistance, and the opportunity to network with key industry leaders through events such as the SMART PO Proposers' Day. These events are critical, as they help form consortia, allowing entities to align strategic objectives and fostering the formation of well-rounded project proposals.
In summary, the SMART Cluster’s 8th call for proposals represents a strategic push towards integrating advanced manufacturing innovations into the market by 2028. By fostering international collaboration, the initiative aims to create a robust pipeline of projects that can drive not just industry but economic transformation in participating countries. For Canadian SMEs particularly, this call offers both a challenge and an opportunity to showcase their technological prowess on a global stage, reinforcing Canada's place in the global innovation landscape.
The SMART Cluster's support of advanced manufacturing through targeted funding exemplifies the alignment of policy with industry needs, creating a propitious environment for technological advancements and sustainable economic growth. Organizations have until the specified deadlines to align their project proposals with these ambitions, seizing the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic industrial future.
