Eurostars is part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs. This Partnership is co-funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe. As a cross-border funding programme, Eurostars is aimed in particular at small and medium-sized enterprises. The aim is to motivate innovative SMEs to cooperate in bi- and multilateral research and development projects.
Eurostars is open to all topics: the programme provides funding for projects in all technologies provided they serve non-military purposes and aim at the development of an innovative product, process or service. The participating partners themselves determine content and scope of their projects, with the SMEs acting as the main drivers. Other participants may include higher education institutions and research establishments.
The Eureka Network and the European Commission introduced Eurostars in 2007. Ever since, it has become established as a successful funding programme. Germany is involved with funding provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The third programme phase Eurostars 3 was launched in 2021 and involves 37 countries worldwide.
Proven and rapid application procedure
Eurostars is characterized by a tried and tested application procedure and a rapid international evaluation. Eurostars applications can be submitted for two deadlines each year to the Eureka Secretariat. All projects are evaluated centrally. The ranking that results from the evaluation is binding for all Eurostars countries. It determines the allocation of funds available. The entire approval procedure takes about seven months following the respective deadline. Funding of successful project participants is granted in line with the funding rules of their respective countries. In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research provides the funding for the German partners in the selected projects.
A Eurostars project consists of partners from at least two Eurostars countries. One of the SMEs involved is project leader. The maximum project period is three years. As an application-oriented programme, Eurostars can provide funding for research and development activities up to the development of prototypes.
Eurostars projects: FAQ
Who is my contact?
It is recommended to get in touch with the national Eurostars office before submitting an application. In Germany, you will have to get in touch with the Eurostars Office at the DLR project management agency which the BMBF has established as central information and contact point. The staff of the Eurostars Office can answer all questions, provide advice and support enterprises and science institutions from application to conclusion of the project.
Where can I find information on the next deadline?
The Eurostars Office website provides information on the next deadline to submit an application for a Eurostars project.
Who is eligible for Eurostars programme funding?
Eurostars 3 is aimed at innovative SMEs in particular. The EU defines innovative SMEs as those which develop a product, process or service in international project collaborations. Research institutes and large enterprises can also be involved as partners. In Germany, however,research institutes only receive funding if a German SME is involved while large enterprises receive no funding at all in Germany.
What amount of funding is granted?
All German partners to a project together receive funding worth a maximum amount of €500,000. SMEs are granted priority in the funding of their projects; the rate of funding is 50 percent of the costs eligible for funding. Higher education and research institutions receive 100 percent funding if a German SME is involved in the project which makes an independent and substantial research and development contribution.
What costs are eligible for funding?
In general, research and development-related costs up to the generation of a prototype (TRL 6) are eligible for funding. All other costs beyond that, for example the development to readiness for mass production, the development of marketing strategies, business plans, marketing measures such as presentations at fairs, web presence, et cetera are not eligible for funding. Clinical trials, travel to conferences and fairs as well as subcontracts issued to partners in the collaboration to implement the project are not eligible for funding.
Which requirements must a Eurostars application meet?
- The main project participant in the consortium is an innovative SME from a Eurostars country
- The consortium consists of at least two independent project partners
- Involvement of partners from at least two Eurostars countries
- SMEs from the Eurostars countries involved jointly contribute at least 50 percent of the entire project costs (excluding subcontracts)
- No participating country or partner bears more than 70 percent of the project costs
- Maximum project period: 3 years
- Market introduction up to 2 years after conclusion of the project
- The project serves non-military purposes only
- All project partners are legal entities
- The project may not receive any other form of funding
How can applications be submitted?
Eurostars applications can be submitted twice a year for the deadlines in spring and autumn to the Eureka Secretariat in Brussels. The entire application procedure takes place through the electronic application system of the Eureka Secretariat. Project participants jointly present their project idea in the Eurostars application form in the English language. Furthermore, all partners must upload a signed document, and all SMEs a SME declaration in line with the EU definition. All projects submitted are evaluated, resulting in, a ranking list. German applicants for whom funding is available are then requested to submit a national funding application (easy-online application).
How are Eurostars applications evaluated?
The Eurostars applications are initially evaluated by three independent international experts. An independent international evaluation body then draws up a ranking list which is binding for all Eurostars countries and is available as early as 10-12 weeks after the deadline.
Editorial deadline for this text: 01.11.2024