The EUROSTARS programme – organised by EUREKA – supports research intensive SMEs in implementing their own commercially driven R&D projects in international consortia.

In a EUROSTARS project, a minimum of 2 partners from different EUREKA member states work jointly to develop a new technology or a new product. The programme is targeted at SME-driven projects having high market potential and real technical barriers. Calls are open to all technological fields.

Funding applications can be targeted at: The development of innovative products, processes or services with a view to market launch no later than 2 years post-project.

Commercial opportunities: EUROSTARS co-funds in-house R&D activities undertaken by R&D intensive SMEs, thus leading to accelerated product development and enhancing European SME competitiveness.

Funding available: Whereas no formal limits are imposed on overall grant sizes, EUROSTARS works as a joint programme, so national rules apply to participants from a given member state. For example, Danish SMEs may obtain a funding rate of between 60 and 75 percent, with a maximum requested contribution for Danish partners in a given project of 300.000 EUR, or a total of 500.000 EUR if more than one Danish partner participate.

Maximum duration of a EUROSTARS project is 3 years.

Type of activity: R&D

Requirements: In EUROSTARS proposals, at least 2 partners from 2 different EUREKA member states need to participate. Of these, at least 1 should be an innovative SME.

Key evaluation criteria in EUROSTARS include:

– Basic Assessment: Partnership, participants and project structure. The quality of the project plan and the capabilities of the participants in relation to their tasks.

– Technology and Innovation: The project must involve research and development and a clear advance in technology.

– Market and Competitiveness: The market targeted, the profitability of the project results and the competitive advantages foreseen for the participants involved.