The largest grant competition this year. They will distribute as much as PLN 700 million. Who has a chance?
There is no such large pool available this year in any other recruitment for grants. In the SMART Path competition, interested entrepreneurs will receive as much as PLN 700 million. What conditions must be met to receive funding?
This year's grant competitions include the SMART Path is second to none in terms of the amount of funding. Entrepreneurs are waiting for candidates in the recruitment process for micro, small and medium-sized companies a total of as much as PLN 700 million. The competition has already started. Who has a chance of getting this money? What to do to get funding? More on that below.
What can the funding be used for?
The SMART Path competition is organized for individual companies Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP). The funding will be used for implementation research and development (R&D) to develop a product innovation or business process innovation. Support is not limited to research – it also includes activities supporting the development of employee competences and the internationalization of products.
In practice, this means that enterprises can receive funding, among others: on:
- foreign promotion and protection of industrial property – support includes preparing products to enter foreign markets, participating in fairs and economic missions, as well as obtaining protection of industrial property rights or defending them in the event of violation.
- development of competences of employees and management staff – financing may be used for training and development programs that directly support the implementation of other project tasks, increasing the company's potential in the area of innovation.
Who can apply for grants?
They can apply in the current competition for a grant from the SMART Path micro, small and medium-sized enterprises running a business in Poland and focusing on innovation. The companies involved include technology, production and service companies with high potential to implement new technological solutions (products, products, processes related to production activities). They are supposed to plan and implement solutions about the level of innovation at least on a national scale.
– In the already launched edition of the SMART Path, we have as much as PLN 700 million to divide, which can be allocated to research and development projects that will result in national innovation. Companies can receive support not only for R&D work, but also for staff training, participation in fairs and protection of industrial property – says Krzysztof Gulda, president of PARP.
What costs can be financed?
Funding includes: wide range of coststhat directly support the implementation of the project. In the case of R&D works, these are primarily: staff salaries research and development, purchase of external services, e.g. subcontracting research or consulting, as well as costs related to research equipment and infrastructure, including depreciation of equipment and buildings. Financing also includes operating costs, acquisition of intangible assets and legal as well as indirect costs that support the conduct of design work.
🚀 New edition of “SMART Path” within #FENG!
For #SME from Poland with the potential to implement innovative solutions.
🔬 What do we finance? R&D projects, property protection, competence development and internationalization.
Applications until March 31, 2026 https://t.co/iwxEdLE1ZG#EUFunds pic.twitter.com/P1JEEdcTx8— Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (@parpgovpl) March 3, 2026
In the area of competence development, funding may cover: training costs in the country and abroad, as well as expenses related to travel and accommodation of the participants of these trainings.
However, activities aimed at internationalization of products and protection of industrial property or its defense in the event of infringement may include the costs of participation in fairs and conferences, organization of stands, business trips, as well as advisory services in the field of foreign expansion and protection of industrial property rights.
New recruitment – many simplifications
The new edition of the SMART Path program introduces simplified support formula, tailored to the real needs of companies. The division into modules has been abandoned. The program was based on clear cost categories, structured criteria and a streamlined evaluation process, which facilitates the submission of applications and increases the flexibility of support.
An important criterion: smart specializations
Projects implemented in the SMART Path should fit into the indicated areas in National Smart Specializations – including digitization, automation, data analysis and modern tools to improve business and industrial processes. The program is open to projects from various industries, including health, agriculture and food, advanced materials, creative industries and marine technologies, provided that they are research and development in nature.
Until when can applications be submitted?
Recruitment started on February 26. Applications can be submitted to March 31st. More information about the competition can be found on its website.
