Eurostars collaborative R&D
Market-oriented innovation projects led by an R&D-performing SME with transnational partners.
Eurostars
Eurostars-3
Eureka programme for R&D-performing SMEs collaborating internationally on near-market innovation projects.
- Who it's for
- Innovative SMEs that can partner with at least one organisation in another Eurostars country.
- Typical ticket
- National co-funding rules apply. Cheque size varies by country
- Application shape
- International project with partners in at least two Eurostars countries. Lead must be an R&D-performing SME.
- Co-funding
- National agencies set funding rates and eligible costs. Verify current conditions with your national Eurostars contact.
- Timeline
- Cut-offs are periodic. National eligibility checks run alongside the international evaluation.
Overview
Eurostars is a Eureka programme aimed at R&D-performing SMEs that collaborate across borders on near-market innovation. It is often a better cultural fit for product companies than a large Horizon RIA, but it is not a solo grant, and national funding rules decide how much you actually receive.
In each participating country, a national agency handles financing rules and payments (for example CDTI in Spain). Always read both the Eureka/Eurostars rules and your national financing conditions before you assume a cheque size.
Instruments inside this programme
Same family, different application shapes. Pick the lane that matches your stage.
Fit check
Use this before you spend weeks on a proposal.
Good fit when
- R&D-performing SME with a near-market product roadmap
- A credible partner in another Eurostars country
- IP and exploitation plan that can survive national + Eureka review
- Teams ready to work with their national funding agency’s rules
Usually a poor fit when
- Solo applications with no international partner
- Very early science with no product path (consider EIC Pathfinder)
- Companies that are not SMEs under the applicable definition
Rules founders forget
- 01Lead must be an R&D-performing SME in a Eurostars country.
- 02Projects need partners in at least two countries.
- 03National agencies (e.g. CDTI in Spain, Bpifrance in France) handle funding rules and payments.
- 04Meeting Eureka criteria is not enough. You must also clear national eligibility.
How to approach it
A practical sequence, not a guarantee of award.
- 1Confirm SME and R&D-performing status under Eurostars rules.
- 2Secure at least one partner in another participating country.
- 3Align technical workplan with near-market outcomes.
- 4Submit for the cut-off and prepare national documentation with your agency.
- 5If awarded, follow national grant agreement and reporting.
National angle
How national agencies and co-funding usually interact with this EU programme.
Your national funding agency is the practical gateway: funding intensity, advance payments, and eligible costs follow national conditions. Talk to them early. Many failed applications stumble on national formalities, not the tech story.
Next step
Verify everything on the official programme page, then start a free trial to match live calls to your company profile.