Deadline Date: January 22, 2026
The SMART Manufacturing Initiative invites innovators in Advanced Manufacturing to seize a unique opportunity to bring their project ideas to life by joining an international matchmaking event on October 14th.
Supported by SMART, this in-person gathering is designed for those aiming to form global consortia and collaborate on high-impact research and development projects. The event will not be broadcast live, ensuring a focused environment for meaningful engagement with industry leaders, academic experts, research centres, and national funding agencies.
This event provides an ideal platform to showcase innovative ideas, build cross-border partnerships, and explore new commercial, technological, and research collaborations. Participants will gain access to the latest insights in Advanced Manufacturing, learn how to craft strong SMART project proposals, and engage in discussions that help refine and strengthen their R&D&I concepts. It also offers valuable guidance on project submission schedules and strategies for building successful international collaborations.
A key step in the SMART application process is the Project Outline (PO), a concise document that summarizes the concept, objectives, and partnership of the proposed project, even if these elements are not yet fully defined. The PO is highly recommended because it allows applicants to receive early feedback and advice from evaluators. It also supports pre-selection, helps initiate budget discussions between the SMART organization and relevant public authorities, and facilitates internal information-sharing. This step ensures that promising ideas can be identified early while keeping the administrative burden on consortia to a minimum, though applicants still retain the option to submit a Full Project Proposal directly.
SMART’s technical domains span the full spectrum of developments driving the competitiveness of European manufacturing. These include advanced manufacturing processes, intelligent and adaptive systems, sustainable and digital product design, digital and efficient companies, human-centric manufacturing, circular economy approaches, customer-driven manufacturing, and new business models. These priority areas reflect the direction of industrial innovation and help guide participants in aligning their ideas with strategic needs.
The updated SMART Technology Roadmap further outlines the research and innovation domains eligible for proposals. Covering both established and emerging sectors, it highlights the technological developments required to move European manufacturing forward. By attending the matchmaking event, innovators gain a valuable opportunity to connect with potential partners, refine their proposal concepts, and position themselves strongly for upcoming SMART funding opportunities.
For more information, visit Eureka Network.
