Innovation funding
Eurostars
Funding for international market-focused research and development
If you are an SME conducting high-tech research and development with partners in other countries, you may be eligible for a Eurostars grant.
About Eurostars
Eurostars is an international joint programme for innovative projects. The programme prioritises industrial research and experimental development. Eurostars is administered nationally and internationally. You submit your application to a national funding body, Before you do this, your project proposal is evaluated by an international jury of experts.
Who can apply?
Eurostars provides funding for research-performing SMEs. To be eligible for a Eurostars grant, at least 10% of your turnover must be spent on research and development, or at least 10% of your staff must work on research and development. You must also be working with partners in least two other participating countries.
Period
The current Eurostars programme was launched in 2014 and will run until the end of 2020.
Rules for funding
Your international project proposal must be approved by an international jury of experts appointed by Eurostars. Your application is assessed against the following criteria:
- Excellence of innovation: Your project must involve high-quality, technologically innovative research and development. In other words, it must be the research and development stage of an innovative project that is developing a new product, process or service.
- Market orientation: The project activities must lead to the marketing of the innovation within two years. In the case of medical projects, clinical trials must be started within two years of the completion of the project activities.
- International cooperation: The project must be implemented by a consortium of partners in countries participating in the Eurostars programme. These partners may be suppliers, co-manufacturers, potential customers, other companies in the innovation chain and/or research institutes. Most Eurostars projects are implemented by three or four partners in two or three participating countries.
Applying for funding
Calls for proposals are issued throughout the year. Our consultants will help you identify the calls best suited to your area of research and development.
More information about Eurostars
There are a range of funding opportunities. For more information about Eurostars, call our innovation manager Roy Hoven on +31 (0)736 465 475 or send Roy an email. He will help you understand your options and explain the rules.
