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: The next submission deadline is on  March 13, 2025 and there will be a second deadline in September (exact date to be announced).

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.