The article deals with the possibilities of integrating the concept of smart specialization into regional development policies in the Russian Federation. Strategies of smart specialization are being actively and successfully developed in the regions of the European Union. Smart specialization implies setting priorities for economic development based on local strengths and resources. The strategy assumes the ‘entrepreneurial discovery process’, during which promising market niches are identified along with technologies and innovations that a region can develop in order to gain competitive advantages in those niches. The article analyzes the required institutional framework for smart specialization implementation. Propositions are made on how Russian institutions in the fields of innovations and regional development can adapt to further the smart specialization agenda. The article concludes with the analysis of the draft strategy for social and economic development of the Irkutsk oblast from the point of view of its conformity with the criteria of smart specialization. Specific guidelines are outlined for the improvement of the strategy in this respect.