Welsh Government logo
Welsh Government

SMART Partnerships

Funds Welsh business and research institution collaborations for short-term joint innovation and commercialization projects.

Between cyclesWelsh GovernmentUnited Kingdom

SMART Partnerships is a rolling grant programme delivered by the Welsh Government under the £20 million SMART Flexible Innovation Support (SMART FIS) envelope, which replaced the legacy SMART Cymru and SMART Expertise schemes following the end of EU Structural Fund co-funding post-Brexit. The programme funds collaborative knowledge-transfer and research, development, and innovation (RD&I) projects…

Collaborative research, development, and innovation projects between Welsh businesses and Welsh knowledge-base partners such as universities, further education colleges, research organisations, and Catapults.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Rolling
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.Rolling
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.6–12 months
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.50%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.-

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Guides for this application

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Business Wales logo
Open

SMART Partnerships

🇬🇧Business Wales · United Kingdom

Funds collaborative R&D between Wales-based businesses and knowledge-base partners, with the Welsh Government covering 100% of the academic or research partner's eligible costs.

AIAgritech+12
Research Ireland (Taighde Éireann) logo
Open

US-Ireland R&D Partnership

🇮🇪Research Ireland · Ireland

Funds tri jurisdiction collaboration between the United States, Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland through a science and technology partnership.

BiotechAI+6
€350K – €700K
UK Research and Innovation logo
Open

UKRI International Science Partnerships Fund

🇬🇧UKRI · United Kingdom

Supports United Kingdom researchers connecting globally through partnerships in planet, health, technology, and talent priorities via UKRI International Science Partnerships Fund.

AIBiotech+5
European Commission logo
Scheduled

International AI Partnerships for Local Innovation

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds two €1.5M projects that adapt European AI to local data, innovation hubs and real-world challenges in low- and middle-income countries.

AgritechAI+2
€1.5MMar'27
Innovate UK logo
Open

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 – 2027 Round 3

🇬🇧Innovate UK · United Kingdom

A university and a business share a graduate for a project neither could run alone.

Advanced ManufacturingEnergy Tech+3
£75K – £750KOct'26
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council logo
Open

BBSRC Industrial Partnership Awards (IPA) — Always Open

🇬🇧BBSRC · United Kingdom

Supports United Kingdom industry-academia teams through partnership awards for precommercial innovation experiments.

BiotechAgritech+4
£2M