Eurostars, a key program within the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, is a great opportunity for R&D-focused SMEs looking to make a real difference. Co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe, this initiative offers important financial support to international collaborative R&D and innovation projects in many different areas.
Eurostars helps innovative SMEs and their project partners including big companies, universities, research groups, and others to work on exciting new projects. By taking part in Eurostars, organizations can get public funding to help them with international collaborative R&D projects in all sorts of fields.
Eurostars projects can be in any technological field, but the areas that have received the most funding are biotechnology (35%); electronics, IT, and telecom technologies (23%); industrial manufacturing, materials, and transport (17%); and energy and environmental protection technologies (11%). These projects often include a strong focus on bringing a product or service to market Within two years after project completion.
Eurostars is a truly global initiative, open to organizations from up to 37 European countries that are part of the EUREKA network. Since 2016, Canada and South Africa have also joined the Eurostars family, making it even more diverse and impactful. The funding itself is managed by each country’s own National Funding Agencies, so the specifics might vary a bit depending on where an organization is based.
Prior to application submission, it is essential to verify funding availability with the relevant National Contact Point (NCP), as funding allocations may vary by country for each call. For instance, in the March 2025 call, funding will not be available for projects involving organizations from the UK, Switzerland, Greece, Israel, or South Korea. This might be different for the September deadline.
A successful Eurostars application hinges on several key factors. First and foremost, a well-defined project idea is paramount. This idea should be clear and describe what the project aims to achieve, how it will be implemented, and the expected outcomes. Second, collaboration with partners from different countries is crucial. By sharing knowledge and resources, project teams can accelerate innovation. Third, the project’s potential for commercialization is a key consideration. Eurostars projects should strive to develop products, processes, or services that can be readily brought to market, contributing to economic and societal benefits.
When it comes to the projects themselves, Eurostars seeks proposals that demonstrate genuine innovation and push technological boundaries. Projects should exhibit technical disruptiveness, offering significant advancements over existing solutions. A clear pathway to market is also essential. Eurostars prioritizes projects with realistic commercial launch potential within two years of completion. This typically implies projects at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-6, indicating a stage beyond initial research and into serious development and testing. The application window for R&D and innovation projects spans from January 10, 2025, to March 13, 2025, at 14:00 (Brussels time). While an innovative SME must assume the leading role within the project consortium, other types of organizations, such as large companies, universities, and research organizations, are encouraged to participate and contribute their unique strengths.
The next application deadline is March 13, 2025, with the subsequent call expected to open around September of that year. Eurostars represents a significant opportunity for SMEs to translate innovative concepts into tangible realities.
By promoting collaboration, providing financial support, and emphasizing commercialization, Eurostars empowers SMEs to thrive in the competitive global innovation landscape.
At Euro-Funding we have great experience with Eurostars, as we regularly evaluate projects within the EUREKA Networks calls, it allows us to rapidly evaluate the chances of your project to be successful and to prepare a sound application.
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