After the deadline of 27 April 2026, a total of 34 Full Project Proposals (FPPs) were submitted to SMART’s 9th Call. These proposals involve around 160 partners from 21 countries, representing a combined budget of €84.2 million, confirming strong international engagement in collaborative R&D.
The distribution of funding highlights a diverse and well-balanced ecosystem. Türkiye leads with 20.5% of the total budget (€17.25M), followed by Spain (14.7%, €12.38M) and Germany (12%, €10.10M). Other notable contributors include Portugal (9.24%), Finland (7.77%), and Slovenia (5.37%), alongside Sweden, Republic of Korea and the Czech Republic. This wide geographical spread underlines the global nature of SMART projects and the strength of cross-border collaboration.
In terms of participant profile, SMEs dominate with 57.46% of the total budget (€48.36M), reinforcing their central role in innovation. They are followed by large industry (25.26%), while research institutes (10.71%) and universities (6.57%) ensure a solid scientific foundation.
SMART Experts and National Funding Agencies are currently evaluating the proposals. Selected projects will receive the SMART label on 22 June 2026, enabling them to move forward with national funding negotiations.
Overall, the 9th Call demonstrates strong momentum and continued global interest in advanced manufacturing innovation.
