2026: The final stretch for EU funding. What can businesses expect?

SMART PATHWAY

The key grant competition for those seeking funding support remains the SMART Pathway. It is worth noting that this year it has been divided into two separate types of calls — one dedicated to R&D projects and another to investment projects.

Business R&D needs will be supported through as many as five SMART Pathway calls. Two calls for SMEs (February–March and October–November) will be complemented by a long anticipated March call — the SMART Pathway for large enterprises (March–May). In addition, two calls for consortium projects will be opened in the spring (April–June) and in the late summer–autumn period (August–October). All will support the implementation of R&D work focused on solutions that are innovative on the Polish market.

Investment projects aimed at purchasing machinery and equipment or constructing production facilities will be financed exclusively for SMEs. This SMART Pathway call, planned for the spring (April–May 2026), will support the implementation of R&D results to introduce innovative solutions into the company’s offering.

In both cases, applicants will still be able to request funding for costs related to internationalisation and training. The possibility of financing so called green investments and digitalisation costs has been shifted to loan based instruments.

STEP

Funding is still available under the STEP Platform, which aims to develop, advance and implement critical technologies in three key sectors: biotechnology, digital and deep tech technologies, and clean and resource efficient technologies. Projects may relate either to a critical technology that introduces an innovative, state of the art or breakthrough component with significant economic potential to the EU internal market (Path A), or to technologies that contribute to reducing the European Union’s strategic dependencies (Path B). Calls are available for both SMEs and large enterprises and will be launched regularly during the spring–autumn period.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Applications are open until 27 February for financing activities aimed at improving energy efficiency, including energy storage systems in large and medium sized enterprises (loan with partial cancellation). Until 10 March, applications may be submitted for funding high efficiency cogeneration sources (grant), and by the end of April for support of RES projects involving the production of biomethane or electricity or heat from biogas, with the option to build an energy storage facility (grant). An additional call, aimed at improving energy security by supporting the use of biomethane by biogas production installations, will be available in spring under the Modernisation Fund (grant and loan support).

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

In the summer period (June–July), entrepreneurs from Poland’s eastern regions will be able to apply for support for implementations based on Circular Economy transformation business models previously approved by PARP. This call will enable the financing of machinery and equipment, as well as the construction of production facilities directly related to introducing Circular Economy solutions within the company.

DIGITALISATION

A call for SMEs to obtain funding for the implementation of modern digital technologies in production processes, process automation, as well as solutions based on big data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity is preliminarily planned for June 2026. Companies will be able to purchase ready made digital technologies necessary for their operations or commission the development of tailor made solutions.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING

In September 2026, a call is planned for investment projects for agri food processors from the SME sector. Companies will be able to finance, among other things, the construction of new processing, storage or laboratory facilities the purchase of new machinery for processing, storage or packaging as well as pro environmental infrastructure (wastewater treatment facilities, heat pumps, energy storage systems). With funding of up to 60% of project costs, up to PLN 10 million per project, and a total call budget exceeding PLN 850 million, this is one of the most attractive instruments planned for 2026.

REGIONAL CALLS

Individual calls for proposals remain available in certain voivodeships. For example, in the Lower Silesia region, companies will be able to apply for support for investments related to renewable energy installations, energy storage systems, thermal modernisation or improvements in the energy efficiency of production lines (call open until the end of March). The Podkarpackie region, in turn, has scheduled a call for financing energy storage systems (March 2026).

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

In 2026, the first calls under the Norwegian Funds will also be launched. More detailed information will only become available after the first quarter of 2026, but it is already known that projects may include green entrepreneurship and innovation. Two new loan instruments with partial cancellation are also planned for 2026: one for automation and digitalisation (Q2–Q3 2026) and another for the digital and green transformation of enterprises (June 2026). Work is also underway on legislation establishing the Security and Defence Fund (FBiO) – a new source of financing for investments related to broadly understood security and defence, including dual use projects with both civilian and military applications. Through the FBiO, companies developing Polish defence technologies will be able to apply for funding, which represents a significant opportunity particularly for firms operating in the industrial, technology and cybersecurity sectors.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2026 will be one of the last opportunities for companies to make broad use of available financing sources before the end of the current EU funding perspective. Businesses can still carry out ambitious projects, yet swift action, solid preparation and choosing the right support instruments will be crucial. This is the moment to fully leverage the available funds and build lasting competitive advantage for the years ahead.