The EUREKA Eurostars Programme is a European funding initiative specifically designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are involved in collaborative research and development (R&D) projects. Here’s an overview of the Eurostars Programme:

Objectives:

1. Support for R&D: Eurostars aims to support R&D-performing SMEs in developing innovative products, processes, or services with strong market potential.
2. Strengthening Competitiveness: It seeks to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs by facilitating international collaboration and access to expertise and markets across Europe.
3. Promoting Economic Growth: By funding innovative projects, Eurostars aims to stimulate economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement within participating countries.

Key Features:

1. Focus on SMEs: The Eurostars Programme is tailored for SMEs that are leading innovative R&D projects in collaboration with partners from other Eurostars participating countries.
2. Funding Mechanism: Projects are funded through national funding agencies, which pool resources to support international R&D collaborations. Each country involved in a project funds its own participants based on their national rules and funding rates.
3. Project Eligibility: Projects must involve at least two participants from two different Eurostars countries, with at least one being an R&D-performing SME. Consortia may also include large companies, research institutes, or universities.
4. Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Projects funded by Eurostars typically focus on R&D activities with a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL), aiming to bring innovations closer to market readiness.
5. Evaluation Criteria: Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as innovation level, market potential, consortium strength, and project feasibility.

Application Process:

• Call for Proposals: Eurostars issues regular calls for project proposals, typically with specific themes or focus areas.
• Proposal Submission: Consortia submit project proposals outlining the innovation, objectives, work plan, consortium details, and expected outcomes.
• Evaluation and Selection: Proposals undergo a rigorous evaluation process conducted by independent experts. Selected projects receive funding based on the evaluation results and available budgets.

Benefits:

• Financial Support: Eurostars provides funding to cover up to 60% of eligible project costs for R&D-performing SMEs (higher for certain countries).
• International Collaboration: Facilitates partnerships with R&D entities across Europe, enhancing access to expertise, resources, and markets.
• Market Access: Supports SMEs in validating and commercializing innovative products or services in international markets.
• Networking and Visibility: Participation in Eurostars enhances visibility within the European innovation ecosystem and fosters networking opportunities with potential partners and stakeholders.

Success Stories:

• Eurostars has supported numerous successful projects across various sectors, including healthcare, biotechnology, ICT, clean energy, and manufacturing, contributing to innovation-driven growth and competitiveness in Europe.

The Eurostars Programme represents a significant opportunity for SMEs to accelerate innovation, access international markets, and strengthen their competitive position through collaborative R&D projects. It aligns with Europe’s broader objectives of promoting research excellence, economic growth, and technological leadership.