Eureka Eurostars: the largest funding opportunity for innovative and collaborative projects

Eureka Eurostars is a funding programme supporting innovative, market-driven SMEs to collaborate on R&D projects with international consortium partners. For projects at TRL 4 at the start of the project, to TRL 6-7 at the end of the project.

It is part of the Eureka Network and of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe.

Why Apply for Eurostars 2025?

The Eurostars Innovation Fund accelerates your R&D journey, offering:

• Substantial Funding: Average project budgets of €1.4M for breakthrough innovations.
• Global Collaboration: Build consortiums with partners from two or more Eurostars countries.
• Market Impact: Advance prototypes ready for commercialization within 24 months post-project.
• Access to Expertise: Benefit from the Eureka Network and Horizon Europe resources.

Eureka Eurostars 2025 Programme: Key Details

The Eureka Eurostars 2025 Programme supports SMEs and R&D-performing organizations in achieving market-driven innovation. 

• For international R&D consortiums led by an innovative SME composed of two or more independent entities from at least two participating countries.
• The funding conditions depend on the applicants’ country of origin, but the average project budget is €1.4M.

• Projects should have completed TRL 4 (experimental proof of concept) to achieve TRL 6-7 (prototype development in a relevant environment) by the end of the project.
• The maximum project duration is 36 months.

Deadlines: Typically there are two cut-offs per year, one in March and one in September. The next Eurostars programme deadline is on the 4th of September 2025.

Who can Apply for Eureka Eurostars 2025?

Eurostars 2025 is open to:

• Innovative SMEs and R&D-performing SMEs leading a consortium.
• Consortiums consisting of two or more independent entities from different participating countries.
• Other partners, such as universities, research organizations, or large enterprises, may join as collaborators.

Key Requirements:

• No single entity can account for more than 70% of the total budget.
• Consortiums must demonstrate the ability to co-finance 20%-60% of project costs.
• All partners must benefit from the collaboration and contribute complementary expertise.

How to Apply for Eureka Eurostars 2025

To apply for Eureka Eurostars 2025, your SME must have a clear plan for innovation, collaboration, and market impact. A successful application includes:

• A detailed project plan outlining objectives, consortium partners, budget, and expected outcomes.
• Focused goals to advance technology readiness from TRL 4 to TRL 6.

Proposals are evaluated on innovation, collaboration, and economic impact. At Evolution Europe, we guide you through every step, from assessing eligibility to crafting a winning proposal. Contact us today to maximize your success!

Find out more about the Eurostars programme

Evolution Europe: 70% success rate for the Eurostars programme

With a 70% success rate in the Eurostars programme—more than double the global average of 30%—Evolution Europe is your trusted ally for securing innovation funding. Backed by over 20 years of experience, we specialize in:

• Proposal Writing: Crafting compelling applications aligned with Eurostars’ criteria.
• Consortium Building: Connecting you with international partners.
• Budget and Timeline Development: Creating robust financial and operational plans.
• Submission Support: Ensuring all documentation complies with the Eureka portal’s requirements.

Our full-service support, from milestone tracking to grant compliance, allows you to focus on innovation while we handle the complexities. With 700+ successful R&D projects across 30 countries, we’re the experts in positioning your Eurostars 2025 project for success.