European Partnership on Innovative SMEs

Last updated: 16.7.2025
Grant

The European Partnership on Innovative SMEs is a co-funded European Partnership under Horizon Europe, designed to stimulate economic growth and job creation by enhancing the competitiveness of innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This program uniquely focuses on fostering international, market-led, cross-border research and innovation collaborations, enabling SMEs to access new markets and integrate into global value chains. It aims to strengthen the overall resilience of the European innovation ecosystem by aligning national programs and supporting various forms of innovation.

Who is Funded

The European Partnership on Innovative SMEs primarily targets innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across EU Member States, Associated Countries, and eligible third countries. The program aims to enhance their research and innovation (R&I) capacity, boost internationalization, and contribute to broader European economic, societal, and environmental goals.

What is Funded

The program funds collaborative research and innovation projects that are market-led and cross-border, focusing on developing new products, processes, and services. It supports a wide array of innovation types and emphasizes activities that lead to market deployment.

Type and Scope of Funding

Financial support under this program is provided in the form of grants, with a significant total budget allocated for this specific topic and a fixed funding rate for eligible costs.

Conditions and Requirements

Applicants and beneficiaries must adhere to a set of general and specific conditions detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, covering aspects from admissibility and financial capacity to consortium formation and budget management.

Application Procedure

The application process for this program follows a single-stage submission, with clear guidelines for submission, evaluation, and award notification, all governed by the broader Horizon Europe framework.

The European Partnership on Innovative SMEs operates under the robust legal framework of Horizon Europe, ensuring its legitimacy and adherence to established EU regulations and policies governing research and innovation funding.

Similar Programs

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Funding Overview

Funding Status

Funding Status:

Closed

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

72,880,000 €

Allocated Budget

Allocated Budget:

72,880,000 €

Open Until

Open Until:

Ongoing

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Framework Programme Call

Region

Region:

European Union Member States, Associated Countries, and third countries making specific provisions for funding participation. Projects must involve at least two beneficiaries from Member States or Associated Countries.

Sectors

Sectors:

Research and Development, Service Sector, Information and Communication Technology, Green Technology, Other

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

Innovative SMEs

Application Type

Application Type:

Consortium Required

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Applied Research, Experimental Development, Prototyping, Pilot Testing, Product Development, Market Introduction, Commercialization

Funding Provider

Program Level:

European Union

Funding Body:

European Commission

Additional Partners:

National administrations, National Funding Bodies (NFBs)

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