Drive International R&D with Eureka Eurostars funding

Eureka Eurostars is an international R&D funding programme within the Eureka Network, co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe. It supports innovative SMEs leading collaborative projects to develop market-ready products, processes and services.

Projects must involve at least two independent organisations from two Eurostars countries, including one from an EU or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Funding is provided through national funding bodies, with rates and conditions varying by country.

Eurostars supports international R&D projects led by innovative SMEs. Applicants must meet the international eligibility criteria and any applicable national funding rules.

Eligible Participants

• Innovative SMEs, large companies, universities and research organisations can participate, subject to national funding rules.

Consortium Requirements

• At least two independent organisations from two different Eurostars countries, including one from an EU or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
• The consortium must be led by an innovative SME based in a Eurostars country.

Budget & Funding Rules

• SMEs from Eurostars countries must account for at least 50% of the total project budget (excluding subcontracting).
• No single partner or country may receive more than 70% of the total project budget.
• At least one consortium partner must receive public funding. Fully self-funded consortia are not eligible.
• Funding rates and co-funding requirements depend on the applicable National Funding Body rules.

Project Conditions

• Maximum project duration: Up to 36 months.
• Projects should demonstrate clear market potential and a realistic commercialisation strategy.
• Scope: Only civilian applications are eligible; military-focused projects are excluded.

Eurostars provides public funding for international collaborative R&D projects. Funding amounts and rates depend on each participating country’s national funding rules.

• The average Eurostars project budget is approximately €1.5 million. This represents the total project cost, not the grant awarded.
• Funding rates vary by country, by type of organisation (SME, university, research centre, large company, etc.), and eligible R&D activities.
• National Funding Bodies (NFBs) determine eligible costs, maximum funding amounts and any additional national application requirements.
• Rules differ across countries, including:
  • Eligible cost categories
  • Maximum funding amounts per partner or per project
  • Required national documents and annexes
• Applicants must meet both international Eurostars eligibility criteria and applicable national funding conditions.
• Country-specific funding information is available on the Eureka portal, and our team can guide you through the requirements relevant to your case.

Eurostars Call 12 2027 follows this schedule:

• Call Opening: 17 December 2026
• Application deadline: 4 March 2027, 14:00 CET (Brussels time)

Applications must be submitted through the official Eureka project platform before the deadline.

The Eurostars Call 12 application process involves four main steps:

• Step 1: Prepare your proposal.
  • Define your R&D project, international consortium, budget, innovation objectives and commercialisation strategy.
• Step 2: Submit via the Eureka portal.
  • Apply through the official Eureka project platform before the deadline. Check for additional national requirements.
• Step 3: Eligibility checks & evaluation.
  • Applications undergo eligibility and financial viability checks, followed by independent evaluation of excellence, impact and implementation quality.
• Step 4: Funding decision.
  • Following international evaluation and ranking, National Funding Bodies confirm funding according to their national rules and available budgets.

How are projects selected for funding?

To be considered for Eurostars Call 12 funding, projects must:

• Rank among the top 200 proposals evaluated by independent experts and progress to the Independent Evaluation Panel (IEP).
• Receive a positive Legal and Financial Viability assessment for all consortium partners.
• Be rated excellent or good quality by the Independent Evaluation Panel.

Final funding decisions remain subject to national funding rules and available budgets.

Eurostars projects may cover personnel, equipment, materials and consumables, travel, subcontracting and overhead costs directly related to R&D activities.

Eligible expenses and funding limits vary by country and must comply with the rules of the relevant National Funding Body.