Eureka Eurostars programme

Drive International R&D with Eureka Eurostars funding

Supporting innovative, market-driven SMEs to accelerate the growth of R&D-intensive businesses.

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Next Deadline: 19 March 2026.

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Eureka Eurostars is designed to help research-driven SMEs bring their innovations to market faster.

Whether you’re developing breakthrough tech, advancing sustainability, or forging global partnerships, the Eureka Eurostars programme funds collaborative R&D projects from proof of concept (TRL 4–5) to validated prototype or pilot stage (TRL 6–7).

Substantial Funding

Average project budget of €1.5 million for breakthrough innovations.

Global Collaboration

Build transnational consortia with partners from two or more Eurostars countries.

Market Impact

Fast-track prototypes ready for commercialization within 24 months post-project.

Access to Expertise

Access the Eureka Network and Horizon Europe resources.

€1.5 M

Average project budget

37

participating countries

€1.6B

Overall programme budget (2021-27)

36

max. project duration

What you need
to know before
applying

Start your eligibility check now

 

💡 Tip: Start your application early—we begin to work with clients a minimum of 2 months before each cut-off.

About the Eureka Eurostars call

Eureka Eurostars is a European funding programme, within the Eureka Network, that supports innovative SMEs leading international R&D projects aimed at developing market-ready products, processes, or services.

Projects must focus on civil applications and involve at least two independent partners from different Eurostars countries, with SMEs taking the lead. Funding is provided through national agencies, and participating projects are expected to move toward commercialisation within 24 months after project completion.

Eligible applicants

Eligible Participants

  • SMEs, universities, R&D centres, and large companies can participate.

Consortium Requirements

  • At least 2 independent entities from 2 different Eurostars countries.
  • The project coordinator must be an innovative SME based in a Eurostars country.

Budget & Funding Rules

  • No single partner or country may receive more than 70% of the total project budget.
  • SMEs from Eurostars countries must together contribute at least 50% of the budget (excluding subcontracting).
  • At least one partner must receive national public funding — fully self-funded consortia are not eligible.
  • Co-funding is required and typically ranges from 20% to 80%, depending on national rules.

Project Conditions

  • Duration: Up to 36 months.
  • Market entry: Expected within 24 months after project completion.
  • Scope: Only civilian applications are eligible; military-focused projects are excluded.
Eureka Eurostars 2026 call

The Eurostars Call for Projects – 2026 opens on 16 January 2026 and closes on 19 March 2026 at 14:00 CET, with applications submitted through the official platform. Full details, eligibility criteria, and application instructions are available on the Eureka Network website: Eurostars 2026 call page.

Start: 16 January 2026, 00:00 CET
Deadline: 19 March 2026, 14:00 CET
Application portal: https://myeurekaproject.org
Programme: European Partnership on Innovative SMEs (co-funded by the EU via Horizon Europe)

Timeline:

Stage Date
Call opens 16 January 2026
Submission deadline 19 March 2026 – 14:00 CET
Eligibility check Within 1 week after 19 March
Legal & financial viability check End of April 2026
Expert evaluation (3 experts per proposal) End of April 2026
Independent Evaluation Panel (ranking) Mid-June 2026
Ethics review Mid-June 2026
Funding decision communication Late June 2026
National funding agreements 5–7 months after deadline
Funding
  • Average project budget ≈ €1.5 M.
  • Average Eurostars project budget: approximately €1.5 million.
  • Funding rates vary by country and by type of organisation (SME, university, research centre, large company, etc.).
  • All financial support is provided through National Funding Bodies (NFBs).
  • Rules differ across countries, including:
    • Eligible cost categories
    • Maximum funding amounts per partner or per project
    • Required national documents and annexes
  • EU co-funding for this call is pending signature.
  • Applicants must consult their NFB to confirm national eligibility, funding conditions, and required annexes.
  • Country-specific funding information is available on the Eureka portal, and our team can guide you through the requirements relevant to your case.
Key deadlines

There are two calls per year—typically in March and September.

The next Eureka Eurostars call of 2026 dates have been published:

  • 16 January 2026: Call opens
  • 19 March 2026, 14:00 CET: Deadline
Application process
  • Step 1: Prepare proposal (plan, budget, consortium, TRL).
  • Step 2: Submit via the Eureka portal during cut-offs.
  • Step 3: Eligibility & evaluation (R&D quality, market potential).
  • Step 4: National funding body confirmation.

 

Evaluation criteria

Eurostars evaluates projects across three main pillars: Excellence, Impact, and Quality & Efficiency of Implementation. Reviewers assess:

  • the degree of innovation
  • the technical challenge and feasibility
  • the market potential
  • commercialization plans
  • competitive advantage
  • the economic and societal impact

The strength of the consortium, clarity of project planning, and a realistic cost structure are also key. Each aspect is scored (0–6) and must be supported with clear justifications. Only top-scoring proposals are recommended for funding.

Eligible costs

Personnel, subcontracting, equipment, travel, consumables, and overheads.

How We Support Your Eureka Eurostars Application

  • Backed by PhDs, engineers, and finance experts, we guide you through every stage of the Eurostars application and project lifecycle.
  • We combine strategic insight with technical excellence to help innovators secure the right collaborative funding and manage their projects successfully.
Control de convocatorias (1)

1. Opportunity Scouting

We identify the most suitable Eurostars opportunities for your project, ensuring alignment with your objectives and eligibility requirements. When needed, we support consortium building with SMEs, research organisations, and international partners. We also review initial technical and financial documentation to establish a solid base for the application.
Diagnóstico y preparación

2. Application Support

Obtención de ayuda (2)

3. Submission & Grant Agreement

We manage the entire submission process and coordinate communication with the relevant national agencies. After approval, we support all grant preparation steps, including contract negotiation, documentation checks, budget alignment, and administrative arrangements—ensuring a smooth transition into the project execution phase.

Gestión del proyecto (1)

4. Project Management

We support you throughout project execution to ensure compliance and smooth delivery. This includes monitoring deliverables and timelines, preparing technical and financial reports, assisting during audits, guiding fund disbursement, and managing administrative follow-up to keep your project on track.

Need expert advice for your Eurostars proposal?

Our consultants guide you through everything you need to know about Eureka Network calls, requirements, and winning strategies.

Contact us

Real impact, proven results

See all succes stories
Medinsights featured image
Eureka Eurostars Health FR sweden-flag-icon

Medinsights & Karolinska University Hospital – CardioTwin

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Eureka Eurostars Food, agriculture and environment spain-country-flag-icon

GeoKinesia & Orbify – Global Ground Monitoring Service (GGMS)

See all succes stories
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“The Evolution Europe team has been a revelation. From evaluating our project’s potential to structuring the collaboration agreement, their support eased pressure across our team and facilitated seamless communication between Sweden and France. We look forward to continuing this collaboration.”

Soham Saha, Co-founder and CEO of MedInsights

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“The collaboration with Evolution during the Eurostars application process was exceptional. Their strategic guidance and expertise in European funding significantly improved the clarity, focus, and competitiveness of our proposal”

Susana Garcia, CEO of Water Challenge

close-up-female-researcher-holding-glassware

“Evolution Europe has been brilliant in supporting our project’s administration, communication, and progress tracking, playing a key role in our success”

Pavel Pavlovsky, CEO of GeoKinesia

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“Evolution Europe’s expertise was pivotal in navigating the complexities of the Eurostars funding process, ensuring our vision became a reality.”

Gabriel Horvath, CEO of Hofitech

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“Evolution Europe’s support was key in our Eurostars success, turning our innovative ideas into a compelling proposal”

Albert Puigpinos, R&D Technician of Carinsa

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magazine

The ultimate guide to
securing R&D funding in
Europe

  • How to identify the best funding opportunities for your project
  • Learn strategies top innovators use to secure grants, navigate complex
    applications, and maximize funding potential.
  • Proven tips for writing winning grant proposals

Download now and boost your funding success!

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the Eureka Eurostars programme.

Which countries participate in the Eureka Eurostars call?

37 member countries, including all EU states and associated partners.

What funding rate does Eureka Eurostars offer?

Varies by country — typically 20–80% of eligible project costs.

What is the success rate for Eureka Eurostars projects?

Average success rate is around 29%, but Evolution Europe achieves over 70%.

How long does it take to get funded?

Funding from the Eureka Eurostars programme typically takes 6 to 12 months from the application deadline. After submission, eligibility is confirmed within a week, followed by a 3-month evaluation and result notification.

The final phase—contracting and fund disbursement—is managed at the national level and varies by country, which often determines the overall timeline.

What is the TRL required to apply to the Eureka Eurostars programe?

To apply to the Eureka Eurostars programme, your project should start at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 to 6, and aim to reach TRL 7 or higher by the end.

  • Starting TRL (4–6): Proof of concept, lab validation, or prototype in a lab environment.

  • Target TRL (7+): System prototype in operational environment, close to market readiness.

Projects must be focused on applied R&D with a clear commercial goal and market launch within 24 months after project completion.

What other Eureka Network Calls are there?

Beyond Eurostars, the Eureka Network offers several additional international R&D and innovation programmes. Key among them is Eureka Globalstars, which supports collaborative projects between Eureka countries and targeted non-Eureka partner nations, and Eureka Innowwide, which funds market-validation activities for innovative SMEs exploring global expansion.

At Evolution Europe, we have a strong track record supporting organisations across Eurostars, Globalstars, and Innowwide, guiding them through opportunity assessment, proposal preparation, submission, and grant management. Our expertise across the full range of Eureka instruments ensures we can help you choose the most suitable funding pathway and maximise your project’s success.

Ready to secure Eureka Eurostars
funding for your project?

Get your free consultation Contact us today