EUROSTARS, the programme for European SMEs

At European level a number of funding programmes exist, some are more fit to SMEs than others. The EUROSTARS programme, managed by the Eureka Network is specially designed for SMES. It allows to facilitate international expansion of SMES, boosting their industrial scaling.
Eurostars is the largest international funding programme for SMEs wishing to collaborate on R&D projects that create innovative products, processes or services for commercialisation. Your consortium must spotlight an innovative SME as the main project participant.
This program seeks to fund projects of innovative European companies, helping to overcome the valley of death they may go through.

New call for proposals
This year opens the opportunity to actively participate in EUROSTARS 3.
With two cut-offs dates per year (One closed on 24th March , next one is closing on 15th September 2022), the EUROSTARS programme has been supporting innovative SMEs to develop collaborative and market-oriented R&D transnational projects since 2008.
The EUROSTARS Programme involves 37 Countries, overall, more than 1 billion euro for the period 2021-2027 is available. The evaluation of proposals is managed by the Eureka Secretariat, i.e. centrally and independently.

EUROSTARS evaluation
Once the proposal has been submitted, the evaluation mechanism is set in motion, ensuring that, in as little as 15 to 16 weeks, the applicants can be informed of the outcome of the evaluation. 
During this time, the proposal is evaluated by 3 international technical experts, in addition to a financial, legal, and ethical evaluation to ensure EU principles. 
Once these activities are completed, a last step is carried out by an Independent Experts Panel (IEP), whose main mission is to finalise the list of best projects according to all evaluation criteria. The strength of this evaluation allows funding to be allocated to the best projects until the budget allocation for each countries is exhausted.

Rules for participation differ per country
37 countries provide funding under the Eurostars programmes, each country has specific conditions for participation. It is important to check the rules for each participant prior applying, these rules can be viewed on the Eurostars programme website or contacting the responsible organisation at national level.

Tailored event for EAIC members
On 6 July the Eurostars Programme Manager at Eureka Network, Camilla Del Latte will present the programme to EAIC members in a dedicated webinar. If you are interested to take part, please contact EAIC secretariat sending a mail to [email protected].

Article courtesy of EAIC Member FI Group.