EUREKA Eurostars

Updated on 16 July 2026

EUREKA Eurostars is an international funding programme for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It supports market-oriented research and development (R&D) projects carried out by international consortia with the aim of developing innovative products, processes or services and bringing them to market.

Eurostars is jointly managed by the EUREKA network and the European Union. Funding is provided by the national funding organisations of the participating countries.

Programme at a glance

Programme: EUREKA Eurostars
Part of: EUREKA Network
Established: 1985 (EUREKA)
Funding authority: National and regional funding organisations of the participating countries in cooperation with the European Union
Target groups: Innovative SMEs, start-ups, universities, research organisations and companies participating in international R&D projects
Funding priorities: Market-driven research and innovation, international collaboration, technology transfer, and the development of innovative products, processes and services

What is EUREKA Eurostars?

Eurostars is the flagship funding programme of the EUREKA network for innovative SMEs. It supports international research and development projects with a strong market focus and follows a bottom-up approach, allowing project partners to define their own research topics.

The programme aims to strengthen international cooperation between innovative companies and accelerate the commercialisation of new technologies.

Who can apply?

Eurostars is primarily aimed at innovative SMEs developing new products, processes or services together with international partners.

Depending on the national funding rules, additional organisations may participate, including:

• start-ups
• universities
• research organisations
• large companies
• other eligible organisations as project partners

In Germany, research organisations are generally eligible for funding only if at least one German SME participates in the project.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for Eurostars funding, projects must meet several key requirements, including:

• The consortium must consist of at least two independent organisations from Eurostars countries.
• The project must be led by an innovative SME.
• The maximum project duration is three years.
• Commercialisation is expected within two years after project completion.
• Project topics are defined by the consortium under the bottom-up principle.

Specific eligibility and funding conditions vary between participating countries.

Funding in Germany

For German applicants, additional national funding rules apply. These include:

• Funding of research and development activities up to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6
• Clinical trials are not eligible for funding.
• National application documents must be submitted to the DLR Project Management Agency after a successful international evaluation.

The latest national funding conditions are published by the DLR Project Management Agency.

Funding conditions

Funding levels are determined by the national funding rules of the participating countries.

For Eurostars projects, the following general principles apply:

• SMEs from the participating countries must jointly account for at least 50% of the total project costs.
• No single participant or country may account for more than 70% of the total project budget.
• For German participants, the applicable national funding limits apply.

How to apply

International Eurostars proposals are submitted electronically via the EUREKA submission platform.

Following a positive international evaluation, successful German applicants are invited to submit the required national application documents to the DLR Project Management Agency.

Current calls

EUREKA regularly publishes new Eurostars calls with fixed submission deadlines.

Current calls and application deadlines are available on the official Eurostars website.

BayFOR support

BayFOR supports innovative companies throughout the Eurostars application process.

Our advisory services include:

• assessing your project's eligibility
• identifying the most suitable funding opportunity
• support in finding international project partners
• guidance throughout the proposal preparation process
• assistance until proposal submission