Eurostars is part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs. The partnership is co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe. Eurostars is a funding instrument with over 30 participating countries that supports innovative SMEs and project partners (large companies, universities, research organisations and other types of organisations) by funding international collaborative R&D and innovation projects. By participating, organisations can access public funding for international collaborative R&D projects in all fields that create innovative products, processes or services for commercialisation.
To apply, seven eligibility criteria must be fulfilled:
- The project consortium is led by an innovative SME from a participating country.
- The project consortium is composed of at least two entities that are independent from one another.
- The project consortium is composed of entities from at least two participating countries, with at least one organisation coming from an EU or Horizon Europe Associated Country:
- The budget of the SMEs from the participating countries (excluding any subcontracting) is 50% or more of the total project cost.
- No single participant or country is responsible for more than 70% of the budget of the project.
- The project duration is 36 months or less.
- The project has an exclusive focus on civil applications.
To apply, an account on the Eurostars project platform has to be created. The innovative SME leading the consortium must open the application and invite other partners to collaborate on the online application form. The R&D and innovation project application for this 7th call has to be submitted by 12th September 2024.
The amount of funding an organisation receives is managed by the national funding body. Funding rules vary from country to country. Applicants should contact their national or regional funding body using the form available on the Eureka website to discuss the project idea, funding in their country, legal and financial viability and eligibility.
