EUREKA Eurostars
The goal of Eurostars is to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in advancing their research and development (R&D) projects on an international level and developing market-ready, innovative products, services, or technologies. The funding aims to enhance the competitiveness of these companies through collaboration with international partners and to increase their innovation capacity. Research institutions can also participate as project partners.
Take advantage of Eurostars! Discover how to drive your company forward with international R&D projects!
Eurostars
Who?
At least 2 SMEs from two EUREKA countries collaborating together
How?
Grants of up to €0.5 million per project with a 50% funding rate
What?
Personnel and contract costs in industrial research and experimental development
When?
For future projects with a duration of 2 years, with semi-annual submission deadlines
Advantages of Eurostars: Your Opportunity for International Funding
Utilization of Results
Eurostars emphasizes that all partners — unless they act solely as contractors — generate economic value from the research results. This promotes the economic utilization and success of the joint projects.
High Likelihood of Funding
Eurostars offers a comparatively high approval rate of over 30% at the European level. With the right selection of projects and partners, your chances of successful approval increase even further!
Openness to Themes
There are no thematic restrictions. Any R&D project that meets the funding criteria is eligible to apply. Innovative companies in the fields of technology, mechanical engineering, chemistry, and life sciences can benefit from this funding.
Program Background: Eurostars for Innovative SMEs
Eurostars is particularly aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with high innovation capacity, working on research-intensive projects and seeking international expansion. The funded projects are expected to deliver marketable results within two years that are of interest to the international market. Cooperation between companies is possible both within and across all EUREKA countries, with each country able to define its own slightly different conditions and requirements.
How to Meet the Criteria for Eurostars Funding
Novelty
✔️ Acquisition of new knowledge or skills
✔️ Developments that go beyond the current state of the art in your market
Technical Risks
✔️ Uncertainties or unknown factors may jeopardize the implementation of the development and theoretically lead to failure
✔️ Economic risks are not relevant in this context
Economic Utilization
✔️ Both SME partners should benefit from the research results
✔️ Both partners should demonstrate economic utilization of the results
Some of Our Partners
The 5 Steps to Securing Eurostars Funding
Outline Creation
Following a joint workshop, we draft the application for you and finalize it together.
Evaluation by International Project Coordinator EUREKA
EUREKA reviews and evaluates the applications for eligibility and creates a ranking of the projects to be funded.
Evaluation by National Project Coordinator
The national project coordinator determines the projects to be funded based on the national budget.
Submission of Full Application
If the project is selected, you will be invited to submit the full application.
Approval and Project Launch
After approval, a timely project launch should take place, as the products are expected to reach the market within two years.
Our Goal
Our goal is to maximize your chances of success in securing the research allowance while minimizing your effort. Our experts have successfully supported hundreds of applications and bring extensive experience to every step of the process.
We handle the entire application process, including the work plan, a detailed breakdown of project costs, and the tax office procedures. With our success-driven approach, we pursue the same goals as you — right through to the final payout and beyond.
