SMART Flexible Innovation Support (SMART FIS)

SMART FIS is the £20 million Welsh Government umbrella programme for research, development, and innovation, launched June 2023 to replace the legacy ESF-co-funded SMART Cymru and SMART Expertise schemes. It is open to any organisation wishing to engage in RD&I — businesses, third sector, local authorities, health boards, universities, and research organisations — provided projects help deliver missions in the Welsh Government Innovation Strategy. The programme operates three distinct strands: SMART Partnerships (collaborative knowledge-transfer projects between Welsh businesses and Welsh research institutions); SMART Innovation Funding (discretionary RD&I cash grants for in-house projects); and SMART Digital and Productivity Accelerator (consultancy/diagnostic support delivered via framework partners). All strands are rolling — no fixed deadline cycles — and applications are made via the Business Wales contact route (smart.fis@gov.wales). As of 2026 the programme is active and reportedly oversubscribed, with response times longer than usual.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.