The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) has announced a new call under the „Ścieżka SMART” programme. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises will be able to apply for funding for research and development (R&D) projects and activities supporting their implementation. The total budget of the call is PLN 500 million, while the maximum funding available for a single project is PLN 50 million.
The support is aimed at enterprises that want to develop their own innovative solutions through R&D activities.
The project may include:
- industrial research,
- experimental development,
- purchase or use of equipment and machinery necessary to carry out R&D activities,
- salaries of R&D personnel,
- external services related to carrying out the work,
- purchase of materials necessary for the research,
- industrial property protection,
- internationalisation of project results,
- development of employees’ or management staff’s skills.
The aim of the project should be to develop a new or significantly improved product or process that stands out from solutions available on the Polish market. The project must involve genuine R&D activities and should fall within at least one National Smart Specialisation (KIS).
The call is conducted under the „Ścieżka SMART 2.0” formula, which introduces changes aimed at simplifying the application process and streamlining project assessment. Support has been focused on R&D projects and the implementation of R&D results.
The minimum value of eligible costs allocated to R&D activities is PLN 3 million. The maximum amount of funding requested for a single project is PLN 50 million.
The level of funding depends, among other things, on the type of work carried out and the size of the enterprise. For industrial research, the basic aid intensity may amount to up to 50% of eligible costs, while for experimental development it may reach up to 25%.
When can applications be submitted?
- Call opening: 29 October 2026
- Call closing: 29 December 2026
Detailed information, project selection criteria and call documentation are available on the **[PARP website – Ścieżka SMART](https://www.parp.gov.pl/harmonogram-naborow/grants/sciezka-smart?utm_so…)**.
Source: Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP).
