Support for international research and development
Eurostars is an international funding programme for collaborative research and development (R&D) projects led by innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The programme receives funding from the European Union through Horizon Europe, and supports the creation of innovative products, processes, and services for commercialisation.
Available funding
Eurostars funding is available to organisations based in Eurostars countries, including the UK. Organisations from non-Eurostars countries can join a project consortium, but they must usually self-fund their costs.
Funding is managed by each participating country’s national funding body. For UK applications, this is Innovate UK. Innovate UK decides
- which UK organisations can receive Eurostars funding
- which project activities can be funded
- funding rates
The total budget for this call is £2.5 million. Innovate UK can fund up to 60% of eligible project costs for SMEs, with up to €360,000 available per project. If more than one UK SME partner is involved, this funding is shared between them.
Large companies, research organisations and universities can participate in consortia, but Innovate UK will not fund them under this call. They must cover their own costs.
Who can apply
To be eligible, your project must
- be led by an innovative SME from a Eurostars country
- include at least two independent organisations
- involve partners from at least two Eurostars countries
- include at least one partner from an EU or Horizon Europe associated country
- have SMEs contributing at least 50% of total project costs, excluding subcontracting
- give no single participant or country more than 70% of the budget
- last no more than 36 months
- focus on civil applications only
Projects must involve international collaboration and demonstrate clear potential for commercialisation.
Innovate UK has additional national criteria that applicants and projects must meet to be eligible for funding. Find the full criteria in the Eurostars country information on the Eureka Network website.
How to apply
You must apply through the Eureka project platform. Before you submit your UK application, you must contact Innovate UK to discuss your project idea and eligibility.
Applications open on 9 July 2026 and close on 10 September 2026 at 2pm CET.
Additional documents, such as financial information or a business plan, may be required depending on your organisation and location.
More information
Interested businesses can join a webinar on 8 July 2026 to learn more about the call and how to apply. They can also join a second webinar on 9 July 2026 for guidance on preparing a strong proposal and understanding the key points to consider.
First published 3 July 2026
