EUROSTARS

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. Eureka allows this flexible and open programme to start-ups, SMEs, large companies, research organisations and universities.

From FI Group, we inform you of the characteristics and the status of the publication.

What is the aim of the Eurostars grant programme?

The Eurostars grant programme is a consortium of R&D projects led by innovative SMEs. These projects must represent a break with the technical state of the art and a commercial challenge such as to enable these companies to make a significant qualitative leap in their market position.

The maximum amount of funding is a grant of EUR 400,000 per Spanish participant.

No country or partner will exceed 70% of the budget.

• Eligible Costs for Spanish Participants must be linked to Industrial Research or Experimental Development tasks:
• Costs of personnel performing R&D tasks, including up to 58 hours per month for project management.
• Overheads (up to 25 % of the personnel costs)
• Instruments, equipment, materials, supplies and similar products incurred directly as a result of the project (to the extent that they are used and for the duration of the project).
• Contract research, knowledge and patents. Subcontracting costs may not exceed 25 % of the participant’s eligible costs. The amount may be increased up to 50% of the participant’s eligible costs in case of subcontracting from Spanish Public Research Organisations (OPI).
• Subcontracting of a consultancy firm (up to 8.000 euros).
• Travel expenses (up to 8.000 euros)
• Audit reports (up to 2,000 euros per year).

Large enterprises can participate in a Eurostars project, but are not eligible for Eurostars funding in Spain. If they want to participate they have to submit a self-financing statement during the Legal and Financial Feasibility Verification stage.

Spanish universities and research organisations can participate in a Eurostars project, but are not eligible for Eurostars funding in Spain.

What kind of actions does the Eurostars grant programme support?

• Eurostars support focuses on:
  • Innovation projects at European level with a strong market orientation and involving a commercial challenge. Without restriction in the thematic area and with a civil purpose (bottom up approach). 
  • These are R&D projects, close to the market and with civil application, to be carried out in consortia of independent organisations from at least two EUROSTARS countries.
  • The consortium coordinator and leader must be an innovative SME.
  • At least 50% of the project budget must be associated with SMEs in the consortium (subcontracting excluded). No country or partner shall exceed 75%.
  • An average EUROSTARS project is made up of 3 or 4 beneficiaries from 2 or 3 countries. Consortia are generally formed between R&D intensive SMEs, SMEs, Research Organisations and Universities. The average project duration is 24-30 months (maximum 36 months) with a budget of around €1.4 million.

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