What is a Eurostars project?

Eurostars Programme is a European Joint Programme dedicated to the R&D performing SMEs*, and co-funded by the European Communities and 33 EUREKA member countries.

Eurostars aims to stimulate these SMEs to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects by easing access to support and funding. It is fine-tuned to focus on the needs of SMEs, and specifically targets the development of new products, processes and services and the access to transnational and international markets.

Through this joint Programme, based on Article 185 of the Lisbon Treaty, Eurostars aims to combine the best of two worlds with a bottom-up approach, a central submission and evaluation process, and synchronized national funding in 33 countries.

* Research-performing SMEs are SMEs that dedicate at least 10% of their turnover or full-time equivalent (FTE) to research activities.

Which kind of consortium applies for Eurostars?

The main participant of any Eurostars consortium must be an R&D SME in order to satisfy the Eurostars eligibility criteria. Usually consortium are set up with R&D SMEs, SMEs and Research Institutes and Universities.

Any technological area and potential market are accepted?

The bottom-up approach gives the freedom to participants to launch their projects in any technological and market area.
The overview of the last cut-offs shows that any kind of innovative technology has its place in Eurostars.

How are the total costs of the project shared within the consortium?

79% of the shared costs are for R&D SMEs and SMEs, our target group.