PARP opens applications for SMART Path 2.0: up to PLN 50 million for R&D projects
Micro, small, and medium-sized companies can apply for research and development grants from a pool of PLN 500 million. To qualify for the program, a project must have at least PLN 3 million in research work costs.
The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) will accept applications in the new edition of “SMART Path 2.0” from 29 October to 29 December 2026, until 16:00 on the last day. The call was announced on 29 September. It covers only R&D (research and development) work, without implementation. According to PARP's announcement, the budget is PLN 500 million, and the agency may increase it. The money comes from the European Funds for a Modern Economy (FENG) program. Applications are submitted through PARP's Local IT System.
Micro, small, and medium-sized companies operating in Poland may apply for support. The project must include industrial research and experimental development work, or development work only. It must lead to a product or process that stands out on the Polish market and fit into at least one National Smart Specialization, for example digital technologies, health, or energy efficiency. The work may begin only after the application has been submitted.
The minimum eligible R&D work costs are PLN 3 million, and the maximum funding is PLN 50 million per project. Basic funding amounts to up to 50 percent of costs for industrial research and up to 25 percent for development work. After meeting additional conditions, these levels increase to 80 and 60 percent respectively. The grant may cover, among other things, salaries of the research team, equipment, external services, and industrial property protection.
The evaluation has two stages: first two criteria, then the remaining ones. In the second stage, the company may present the project to experts and improve the application at the request of the Project Evaluation Committee. The evaluation may take up to 175 days from the closing of the call.
The previous call under SMART Path, run from 14 May to 11 June 2026 and concerning implementation of the results of R&D work, had a budget of PLN 700 million and attracted 566 applications totaling more than PLN 3.6 billion. 106 projects received a positive evaluation. Among the beneficiaries were 57 small companies, 30 medium-sized ones, and 19 microenterprises.
In practice, the threshold of PLN 3 million in research costs means that the program will mainly benefit companies with their own research facilities and funds for their own contribution, because the grant does not cover all costs. PARP reports on the SME sector show that average R&D spending in micro and small companies is many times lower than this amount.