Eurostars

Eurostars is Europe’s leading international funding programme for innovative SMEs performing R&D. It supports collaborative projects that develop innovative products, processes, or services with strong commercial potential and international market impact, enabling organisations to share expertise, access new markets, and accelerate innovation.

Open

Deadline Regular competitive calls are launched periodically by the Eurostars programme. Deadlines vary by call
Category Research & Innovation | SME Development | International Collaboration | Deep Tech | Digitalisation | Health | Manufacturing | Green Technologies | Industrial Innovation
Funding Grants provided through national funding agencies within participating countries under the Eurostars framework, co-funded by the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs under Horizon Europe
Max grant amount No programme-wide maximum. Funding amounts depend on national funding rules, applicant type, project scope, and country-specific budgets
Company size SME | Large companies
Location Eurostars participating countries, including most EU Member States and numerous associated countries worldwide
Duration Typically up to 36 months

Purpose

– Support innovative SMEs in conducting international R&D&I projects.
– Accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative technologies and solutions.
– Strengthen the competitiveness and growth of SMEs.
– Foster cross-border collaboration between businesses, universities, and research organisations.
– Bring innovative products, services, and processes to international markets.

Potential applicants

– Innovative SMEs acting as project leaders.
– SMEs, large enterprises, universities, research organisations, laboratories, and other innovation stakeholders as consortium partners.
– Consortia must include at least two independent organisations from two Eurostars participating countries.

Funding

– Supports research, development, validation, testing, prototyping, demonstration, and innovation activities.
– Eligible costs typically include personnel, equipment, consumables, subcontracting, travel, and other project-related R&D expenses.
– Funding rates and eligible cost categories are determined by national funding agencies.

Intensity

– Funding intensity varies by country, organisation type, and national regulations.
– Innovative SMEs generally receive the highest support rates.
– Applicants must consult the relevant national funding body for applicable funding conditions and reimbursement rates.

Technologies

– Bottom-up programme with no predefined thematic priorities.
– All technology fields, industrial sectors, and innovation domains are eligible.
– Projects must demonstrate a significant R&D component, technological innovation, and clear commercial potential.

Eligibility

– The project must be led by an innovative SME from a Eurostars participating country.
– The consortium must include at least two independent entities from at least two participating countries.
– The consortium must be balanced; no single participant or country may account for more than 70% of the total project budget.
– The project must focus on research, development, and innovation activities.
– Project results should have a clear route to market and commercialisation potential.
– All participants must comply with national eligibility requirements.

Additional information

– The project must be led by an innovative SME from a Eurostars participating country.
– The consortium must include at least two independent entities from at least two participating countries.
– The consortium must be balanced; no single participant or country may account for more than 70% of the total project budget.

– The project must focus on research, development, and innovation activities.
– Project results should have a clear route to market and commercialisation potential.
– All participants must comply with national eligibility requirements.

Apply here