Regional Operational Programmes

We sometimes refer to Regional Operational Programs (RPO) as mini-SMARTs. These are grant competitions for R&D projects and the implementation of their outcomes, organized at the regional level by individual voivodeships (provinces).

There are no uniform rules for these competitions. The competition schedules, target groups, specific formal conditions, grant amounts, and evaluation criteria are announced by each voivodeship individually.

However, based on the history of previously announced competitions, R&D grant competitions organized under RPO typically:

• Are targeted primarily at SMEs but also include large enterprises.
• Provide a maximum grant amount of up to PLN 35 million.
• Require a minimum project value (minimum eligible costs) of PLN 600,000 to receive support.
• Require an applicant’s own contribution of around 30%-35%.
• Typically have one or two application periods per calendar year.
• Require that the applicant be a company headquartered in the voivodeship organizing the competition (sometimes requiring a 12- or 24-month business history).

Regional Operational Programs can be a very interesting alternative to the Smart Pathway competition, especially for smaller R&D projects or projects that can be implemented in stages.