News
Eurostars Programme - Research Funding for SMEs
Date: 03 July 2008
The Eurostars Programme, which is the first European funding and support programme to be specifically dedicated to Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) has announced that the next application deadline is the 21st November 2008.
Under Eurostars, funding is available to SMEs to undertake research and development in any technological area, but must have a civilian purpose and be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service.
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 below:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.
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.
Who can apply for Eurostars funding?
The Eurostars Programme addresses a niche market of research and innovation-performing businesses that fulfil the EU-adopted definition of an SME, are based in a Eurostars participating country and that, in addition, invest 10% or more of full-time equivalent or annual turnover in research activities. European SMEs act as a source of renewal and a driving force for the development of new business areas. The Eurostars Programme is aimed at stimulating these SMEs to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects by easing access to support and funding.
If you are an SME and investing 10% or more of your full-time equivalent or annual turnover in research and development activities, the Eurostars Programme may well be for you.
Applications can be made online at http://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/
