Disclaimer: This English translation is provided for informational purposes only. In the event of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or difference in interpretation between this translation and the original Polish version, the original Polish version shall prevail.

Overall Description

This competitive call supports the professionalisation and capacity development of coordinators of Poland’s National Key Clusters (Krajowe Klastry Kluczowe – KKK).

Projects must develop innovative services that help cluster members conduct R&D or innovation activities. Support may strengthen the coordinator’s staff, skills, organisation and infrastructure, as well as finance optional internationalisation activities. The call forms part of the European Funds for a Modern Economy 2021–2027 (FENG) programme.

Funding Amount

• Total call budget: PLN 50 million.
• Maximum co-financing rate: Up to 70% of eligible project costs, depending on the expenditure and aid category.
• Minimum own contribution: At least 30% overall; a higher contribution may apply to expenditure categories with a lower aid rate.
• Maximum grant per project: No fixed overall ceiling specified.

Important category-specific limits include:

• Operating aid: generally up to 50% of eligible operating costs.
• Internationalisation expenditure: up to 70%, depending on the applicable aid basis.
• Internationalisation costs may not exceed 50% of total eligible project costs.
• Infrastructure-capacity expenditure financed as de minimis aid: up to 70%.
• De minimis aid is subject to the applicable ceiling of €300,000 over three years per single undertaking.
• The applicant’s contribution must be monetary and may include funds obtained from cluster members.

Eligible Costs

Eligible expenditure may include:

• Project personnel and administrative costs.
• Depreciation and rental of premises.
• External services.
• Machinery, equipment and other fixed assets.
• Construction work and building materials.
• Intangible assets and intellectual-property rights.
• Infrastructure rented for developing or testing new services.
• Industry certification.
• Internationalisation consulting and training.
• Travel and transport.
• Event registration fees.
• Exhibition-stand preparation.
• Membership in international cooperation networks.

Submission Deadlines

• Call announcement: 2 September 2026.
• Application opening: 16 September 2026.
• Application deadline: 4 November 2026 at 16:00 Polish time.
• PARP may shorten or extend the application period under the conditions stated in the selection rules.
• Project assessment is expected to take no more than 110 days following the application deadline.

Submission Conditions

• Applications must be submitted exclusively through PARP’s Local Information System (LSI).
• Each applicant may submit only one application.
• The application must be prepared in Polish.
• Foreign-language attachments must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
• The applicant must hold valid National Key Cluster coordinator status.
• The applicant must own and operate the relevant innovation cluster.
• The project must develop at least one new or significantly improved service and bring it to market.
• Service development must be based on an analysis of cluster and market needs.
• Internationalisation services must reflect a needs assessment conducted within the 12 months preceding submission.
• The project must align with at least one Polish National Smart Specialisation.
• The budget must be reasonable, eligible and supported by adequate financing sources.
• The applicant must demonstrate its ability to finance the project and maintain its results.
• Project implementation must not begin before or on the application-submission date, except for specifically permitted de minimis expenditure.
• The project must comply with EU equality, accessibility, sustainability and fundamental-rights principles.
• Only projects satisfying all mandatory criteria can be recommended for funding.

Eligible Types of Businesses and Organisations

Direct applicants are limited to:

• Coordinators holding current National Key Cluster status awarded by Poland’s Ministry of Development and Technology.
• The coordinator must be the owner and operator of an innovation cluster.
• The coordinator may be an enterprise or another legal entity, such as an association, foundation or research organisation, provided it satisfies the formal conditions.
• The applicant must conduct registered activity or provide services in Poland.

Ordinary SMEs, large companies and research organisations that are merely cluster members cannot apply directly. They may benefit from services developed and delivered by the eligible cluster coordinator.

Eligible Countries

Project location and territorial scope:

• Poland

The applicant must conduct registered activity in Poland:

• An enterprise must have its registered office or at least one registered branch in Poland.
• A non-business legal entity must have at least one registered activity or service-delivery address in Poland.

A foreign organisation may therefore qualify only if it has the required registered presence in Poland and independently meets the highly restrictive requirement of being the recognised coordinator of a Polish National Key Cluster.

International activities and expenditure may involve partners, networks, trade fairs and markets outside Poland.