Budget
Each selected SME may receive a €50,000 lump-sum grant. A minimum €10,000 self-funding contribution is required. The total FSTP budget is €2,000,000, supporting 40 SME projects: 20 for Green Initiatives and 20 for Digital Innovations. The grant is paid in three milestone-based instalments: 40% after the first milestones, 40% after mid-term milestones and 20% after project completion and impact assessment.
Key dates and deadline
September 18, 2026 - Application deadline Project duration - 9 months
Details
The call funds individual SME projects in the textile sector focused on one of two schemes: • Green Initiatives - sustainable practices, circular economy, energy-efficient production, responsible textile waste disposal, waste reduction and resource efficiency • Digital Innovations - adoption of advanced digital technologies, digital tools, automation and data-driven decision-making to improve efficiency and productivity Projects may include activities helping textile SMEs overcome resource limitations, adopt digital and sustainable technologies and strengthen resilience.
Eligibility
Only individual SMEs may apply. Consortia of multiple SMEs are not eligible. Applicants must be SMEs according to the European Commission definition, legally established in Single Market Programme participating countries and active in the textile value chain or in a complementary sector directly contributing to it. Clusters and intermediary organisations are not eligible, even if they are SMEs. Applicants must have at least one English-speaking staff member actively involved in implementation. Proposals must be submitted in English and demonstrate a Technology Readiness Level of at least 5.
Additional information
Activities must align with the relevant NACE codes: C13.1, C13.2, C13.3, C13.9, C14.1, C14.3, C15.12, C22.19, C38, J62, J63 and C28.94. Applicants must address the sector needs identified in the “Needs of the SMEs in the Textile Sector” document. Targeted technology areas include advanced manufacturing, AI and big data, digital solutions and robotics.
How to apply?
https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/FutureProofTextiles-1st-OpenCall