Eurostars 🎁 Program
National R&D funding for international projects led by innovative SMEs with partners in two or more Eurostars countries.
| Who qualifies | Led by an innovative SME from a Eurostars country; at least two independent partners from two Eurostars countries; SMEs carry 50%+ of costs; projects up to 36 months, civil only. |
|---|---|
| Open in | European Union |
| Partner code needed | No: apply directly |
| Deadline | 2027-03-04 |
| Terms last checked | 2026-10-11 |
About Eurostars
What you get
Eurostars funds collaborative, market-oriented R&D projects that develop new products, processes or services. The money does not come from Eureka: each partner is funded by its own national funding body under national rules and rates, so the amount and percentage depend on your country. Projects can last up to 36 months and must be civil only.
Who qualifies
The project must be led by an innovative SME from a Eurostars country. The consortium needs at least two independent organisations from at least two Eurostars countries, one of them an EU member or Horizon Europe associated country. SMEs from Eurostars countries must carry at least 50% of the project cost (excluding subcontracting), and no single participant or country can hold more than 70% of the budget. Other partners can be any type of organisation, such as universities or larger companies.
Good to know
Because funding is national, check your national funding body's rules before you build the consortium: some countries cap amounts or add their own eligibility tests. Calls usually run twice a year. Call 12 is open, with a deadline of 4 March 2027. Expect to spend real time on the consortium agreement, IP split and budget before you write the application itself; a weak partner or an unbalanced budget is a common reason for rejection.
Verdict
A good route if your startup already has, or can find, an R&D partner abroad. It is less useful for a solo founder with no partner, and the amount you receive depends heavily on where you are based.
How to apply
- Find an R&D partner in another Eurostars country (at least one partner country must be EU or Horizon Europe associated).
- Contact your national funding body to confirm its funding rate, caps and extra rules.
- Agree the work plan and budget split (SMEs at least 50% of cost, no one above 70%).
- Submit the joint application through the Eureka application platform before the call deadline.
- Each partner signs a funding agreement with its own national body if selected.
Who it is for
Steps Eurostars helps with
Pros
- Funds international R&D partnerships
- Partners can be universities or larger firms
- Two calls a year
Cons
- Amounts and rates vary by country and are not stated centrally
- You need a foreign partner
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