MANTRA - 2nd Open Call for Manufacturing SMEs

Deadline for an application

Applications must be submitted by 30 September 2026 at 17:00 Central European Summer Time. Sub-projects are expected to start in December 2026 or January 2027 and have an indicative duration of twelve months: six months of advisory support followed by six months of implementation.

Objective

The call aims to accelerate the green, digital and social transformation of traditional manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises through advanced technologies and social innovation. Selected companies receive tailored advice, matchmaking and financial support to define and implement a measurable transformation roadmap.

Summary

MANTRA’s second open call offers traditional manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises a structured twelve-month transformation journey combining six months of free advisory support with six months of implementation support. The call targets companies with relatively low uptake of advanced technologies that want to improve sustainability, competitiveness and resilience.

Applicants must be registered small and medium-sized enterprises operating in a European Union Member State and active under one of the eligible manufacturing codes: food and beverages, basic or fabricated metals, rubber and plastics, other non-metallic mineral products, textiles, clothing, or leather and related products.

Machinery companies are not eligible under this second call.

Dutch and German companies may both apply independently because both countries are European Union Member States. The maximum grant is €50,000 per selected company, provided as a lump sum for procuring external services during the implementation phase.

At least one eligible advanced technology must be integrated, such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud technologies, connectivity, industrial biotechnology, the Internet of Things, micro- and nanoelectronics, photonics, robotics or security. The proposal must present a credible transformation pathway and measurable environmental and socio-economic effects. Eligible themes include resource efficiency, circular value chains, clean energy, emissions reduction, safer materials, resilient supply chains, digitalisation and skills development.

An applicant submits alone; a cross-border consortium or collaboration with another organisation is not mandatory. Collaboration will nevertheless occur through matchmaking, advisory support and the procurement of an approved external service provider. The mandatory application steps include joining the MANTRA Community, completing the online application and self-assessment, and submitting the proposal in English through the MANTRA platform. Applicants must upload the self-assessment report, the signed Declaration of Honour, proof of the eligible manufacturing classification and any relevant supporting documents. Once submitted, an application cannot be changed or resubmitted. Successful applicants must sign a sub-grant agreement and follow the agreed transformation roadmap. Reporting is output-based and focuses on contracted services, deliverables and agreed performance indicators rather than detailed cost reimbursement. Detailed financial claims, timesheets and cost breakdowns are not required, but contracts, invoices, proof of payment and deliverables must be retained for checks, reviews or audits.

Each company can receive MANTRA funding only once, although more than one proposal may be submitted. The call expects to support up to 25 companies, so applicants should demonstrate readiness, implementation capacity and quantified impact rather than submit a general innovation idea.

Funding is limited to external services needed to implement the approved transformation roadmap, including feasibility studies, prototyping, pilot testing, demonstrations, specialised consultancy and coaching. Other eligible external services may cover testing facilities, business-process adaptation, digitalisation, research and innovation, sustainability, market development, networking and targeted training. Internal personnel, travel, accommodation, equipment, infrastructure, installation and operational costs are not eligible.

Website: MANTRA Community Platform and Open Calls: https://mantra-project.eu/community-platform-open-calls/traditional-smes-guidelines-for-applicants/ 

Companies with an interest in the grant opportunity can get support  through the TECH.LAND partners. For more information, please contact:

Vincent Bökkerink
Project Developer and funding TECH.LAND
X-Border Cooperation North Westphalia & East Netherlands
https://techland.org/
bokkerink@techland.org
+31 6 51 98 75 07