For documentation relating to this competition call, please refer to the grey box on the right

What is a Eurostars project?

A Eurostars project is a European research and development project. It can address any technological area, but must have a civilian purpose and be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service. A Eurostars project is collaborative, meaning it must involve at least two participants (legal entities) from two different Eurostars participating countries. In addition, the main participant must be a research-performing SME from one of these countries.

The role of the SME participants in the project should be significant. At least 50% of the project's core activity should be carried out by SMEs. This percentage can, however, include minor contracting. The consortium should be well balanced, which means that no participant or country will be required to invest more than 75% of the total project costs.

A Eurostars project should be market-driven: it must have a maximum duration of three years, and within two years of project completion, the product of the research should be ready for launch onto the market. The exception to this rule applies to biomedical or medical projects, where clinical trials must be started within two years of project completion.

Funding for UK participants

UK participants in a successful Eurostars project are funded through the Technology Strategy Board whilst other EU partners are funded via their own national funding bodies.

Under the UK EUREKA Eurostars rules only innovative intensive and research performing SME's are eligible for 50% funding of eligible project costs, up to a maximum grant of 300,000 Euros per UK participant in any single project. Academics and large companies are welcome to participate in Eurostars projects, but funding has to be secured from other sources.

UK Eligibility Criteria

• Companies must have been trading for over 12 months.
• Companies must have commercial income* of twice the value of any grant requested or provide the Technology Strategy Board with evidence [prior to application] that the company have the funds to cover the 50% industry contribution and also to exploit the expected project outputs to outcomes.
  * The commercial income cannot include grants from the UK and/or the European Union.
• Participants in a Eurostars project must be separate legal entities.
• UK lead projects must be managed by a project partner and an SME as per the Eurostars criteria.
• All expenditure from the UK grant must be spent in the UK, including subcontracting.

Subcontracting from the UK budget is capped at 20%. Please view related documents on the bottom left of this page for further information.

It is highly recommended that you contact the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Eurostars funding body, to check your eligibility under the UK rules.

To find out more contact
Graham M Mobbs
European Operations Manager
Technology Strategy Board
graham.mobbs@tsb.gov.uk