Smart Track: the largest program of grants for innovative projects
Funding for research and development (R&D): SMART Track (Ścieżka Smart)
Smart Track is the largest Polish competition for R&D grants and one of the most popular Polish business incentives.
Total value of public funding available in 2025: approx. EUR 840 million.
Separate financial pools are addressed to:
- SMEs,
- large entrepreneurs,
- consortium of entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs and research centres (including universities)
Financial parameters of Smart Track
The minimum value of the project is PLN 3 million (approx. EUR 720k)
Maximum value of the grant:
- PLN 50 million (approx. EUR 12,5 million) available to SMEs
- PLN 70 million (approx. EUR 17 million) available to large entrepreneurs
- PLN 150 million (approx. EUR 35) available to consortium
Level of financing:
- the grant may finance up to 80% of R&D related expenses
- The % of financing of other R&D expenses depends on the size of entrepreneur, type of expense, type and localization of the project. Typically, the grant finances some 60%–70% of R&D related expenses.
Funding available under Smart Track is of non-dilutive character.
Deadlines for submissions
The calendar for 2025 looks as follows
- 28 March 2025: Smart for consortium
- 12 June 2025: Smart for SMEs’ projects related to accessibility
- 26 June 2025: Smart for SMEs
- 30 June 2025: Smart for large entrepreneurs’ projects related to accessibility
- 30 September 2025: Smart for consortium
The work on successful applications typically takes approx. 1,5–2 months, so any project should be planned in advance.
What may be financed?
Smart Track is split into the following modules:
- R&D
- implementation of innovation / R&D
- R&D infrastructure
- digitalisation
- eco-friendly enterprises
- competences
- internationalisation.
Typical catalogue of expenses that may be financed through the grant includes:
- salaries of employees engaged in R&D activity
- costs of subcontracted parts of R&D projects
- analysis, research, studies, licences etc.
- cost of lease of the land
- purchase of fixed assets
- costs of any materials related to R&D project
We discussed the details of 2024 edition of the SMART Track during our webinar (Polish version only):
- We will select a proper competition for your project
- We will help you prepare successful application
- We will assist you in proper reporting of expenses eligible for financing
- We use a one-stop shop approach. We will provide you with full support not only in relation to applying for the grant but also in relation to all legal and tax matters related to your project.
- If you want to finance your project with public funding and need support, book a meeting with us
- During a meeting we will discuss your business idea and select the right competition
- We will send you a summary of the consultation and our offer
- We will sign an agreement and start working together on your application.
If you want to learn more about opportunities for non-dilutive funding in Poland or you need support in preparation of successful application, please send us email to: magdalena.adamczuk@ttkraft.pl or book online meeting by clicking orange box at the right side of your screen.