Eurostars Call 11 for Collaborative R&D and Innovation Projects

The Eurostars Call 11 supports international collaborative research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) projects led by innovative SMEs working with international partners. Funding is available through national funding agencies across participating countries, with projects focused on developing commercially viable products, processes, or services for civil applications.

About the Program

The Eurostars Call 11 is an international funding programme that supports innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their project partners in carrying out collaborative research, development, and innovation projects. The programme encourages international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and the development of innovative products, processes, or services that have strong commercial potential. It is open to collaborations involving SMEs, large companies, universities, research organizations, and other eligible organizations.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Support innovative SMEs in developing commercially viable products, processes, and services.
• Promote international research, development, and innovation collaboration.
• Encourage knowledge sharing among project partners.
• Accelerate the commercialization of research outcomes.
• Strengthen the global competitiveness of innovative businesses.
• Foster partnerships between industry, universities, and research organizations.

Areas of Support

Eligible projects may focus on:

• Research and development (R&D).
• Product innovation.
• Process innovation.
• Service innovation.
• Technology development.
• International collaboration.
• Commercialization of innovative solutions.

Projects can belong to any sector but must focus exclusively on civil applications.

Funding

Funding is provided by the national funding agencies of participating countries, and the amount available depends on each country’s funding rules.

Examples of available funding include:

• Belgium (Flanders): Up to 60% of eligible costs for development projects and 70% for research projects, with a maximum grant of €500,000.
• Bulgaria: Up to €200,000 per project.
• Canada: Up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a maximum of CAD 500,000 per SME.
• Croatia: Grants covering 50%–60% of eligible costs, up to €300,000 per project.
• Denmark: Up to €300,000 per participant.
• Estonia: Up to €500,000 per participant.
• Finland: Universities and research organizations may receive up to 80% of eligible costs, while SME funding ranges from €80,000 to €160,000, depending on the number of participants.
• France: Up to €120,000 per SME participant or €50,000 where no SME is involved.
• Ireland: Up to €250,000.
• Latvia: Up to €100,000 per participant per year.
• Norway: Up to NOK 6 million per project.
• Slovakia: Up to €450,000.
• South Africa: Up to €300,000.
• South Korea: Up to KRW 1.5 billion (approximately €1.1 million).
• Spain: Up to €400,000 per participant.
• Sweden: Up to SEK 5 million per project.
• United Kingdom: Up to £360,000 per project, shared among UK partners where applicable.

Applicants should consult their national funding agency for detailed funding rates and country-specific eligibility requirements.

International Eligibility Requirements

Projects must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be led by an innovative SME based in a Eurostars participating country.
• Include a consortium of at least two independent organizations.
• Involve organizations from at least two Eurostars countries.
• Include at least one organization from an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country.

Consortium Requirements

To qualify, projects must also satisfy the following conditions:

• No single participant may account for more than 70% of the total project budget.
• No single country may account for more than 70% of the total project budget.

These rules ensure balanced international collaboration.

Project Duration

Projects must:

• Be completed within 36 months or less.
• Focus exclusively on civil applications.

Military or defense-related projects are not eligible.

Eligible Applicants

The following organizations may participate:

• Innovative SMEs.
• Large companies.
• Universities.
• Research organizations.
• Public organizations.
• Private organizations.
• Other eligible entities participating in an international consortium.

Eligible Countries

Organizations from the following countries may participate, subject to national funding rules:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• The Netherlands
• Türkiye
• United Kingdom

Program Benefits

Participation in Eurostars enables organizations to:

• Develop innovative products and technologies.
• Build international research partnerships.
• Share technical expertise across borders.
• Accelerate commercialization of research results.
• Expand into international markets.
• Strengthen research and innovation capabilities.
• Access national funding for collaborative R&D projects.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances of success by:

• Building a well-balanced international consortium.
• Clearly demonstrating the innovation and commercial potential of the project.
• Defining clear roles and responsibilities for each partner.
• Preparing a realistic budget and implementation timeline.
• Explaining the expected market and economic impact.
• Ensuring compliance with both Eurostars international rules and national funding requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for Eurostars Call 11?

Innovative SMEs, large companies, universities, research organizations, and other eligible organizations may participate as members of an international consortium. The consortium must be led by an innovative SME from a Eurostars participating country.

Is international collaboration mandatory?

Yes. Projects must include at least two independent organizations from two different Eurostars countries, including at least one organization from an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

How much funding is available?

Funding varies by country. National funding agencies generally provide grants covering 50% to 80% of eligible project costs, subject to their own funding limits and eligibility rules.

How long can projects last?

Projects must be completed within 36 months.

What types of projects are supported?

The programme supports research and innovation projects that develop commercially viable products, processes, or services intended exclusively for civil applications.

Can universities and research organizations participate?

Yes. Universities, research organizations, large companies, and other eligible organizations may participate as consortium partners alongside innovative SMEs.

Conclusion

The Eurostars Call 11 provides innovative SMEs and their international partners with funding to develop commercially viable research and innovation projects through international collaboration. By supporting partnerships between businesses, universities, and research organizations across participating countries, the programme helps transform innovative ideas into market-ready products, services, and technologies while strengthening international research cooperation and economic competitiveness.