EUREKA’s Eurostars programme provides grants primarily for SMEs working collaboratively on R&D projects (although some research-focused and large organisations can also receive funding). It’s a welcome source of finance for those overcoming technical challenges and driving innovation.
The funding boost can be transformational. Enterprise Ireland says that projects receiving Eurostars support see an average increase of 15% in their annual turnover. 70% of these projects either enter new markets or gain market share.
Ireland is one of 37 different ‘Eurostars’ countries that can apply for R&D funding. As such, we’ve put together this article to explain how eligible Irish businesses can apply for a Eurostars grant to help finance their research and development projects.
Who is eligible for Eurostars funding?
Eurostars funding is available for innovative companies that collaborate on R&D projects.
Collaborative project groups are known as ‘consortiums’, which must be SME-led but can also include universities, research centres and even large organisations. Below, we’ve listed the specific eligibility criteria.
European Eurostars eligibility criteria
- The project must be led by an innovative SME from a Eurostars country
- Consortiums must include at least two independent organisations
- Consortiums must include organisations from two Eurostars countries (one must be from an EU or Horizon Europe associated country)
- SMEs from participating countries must make up at least 50% of the total project spend (excluding subcontracting)
- No single country or organisation can contribute more than 70% of the total project spend
- The project must last for no more than 36 months
- The project must have an exclusively civil application
Irish Eurostars eligibility criteria
- To receive funding, participating companies must be clients of a national agency (like Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office, IDA Ireland or Údarás na Gaeltachta)
- Companies must apply for support through a national funding program
- Companies must confirm their details with their national agency before applying
- Any participating companies that aren’t clients of national agencies must be able to self-fund
It is also possible for organisations from non-participating countries to be part of Eurostars, however, these would have to self-fund their projects.
What counts as R&D for Eurostars funding?
R&D projects must involve systematic work that creates new products, services or processes for commercialisation for European and global markets.
To be eligible, companies must demonstrate that they need to overcome technical challenges, that the R&D is non-routine and that the project marks a step-up in their RD&I (research, development and innovation) efforts.
What R&D costs does Eurostars funding cover?
The R&D costs covered by Eurostars funding are not only different for every country, every funding body will also have their own rules on what they will provide funding for.
For example, Enterprise Ireland provides grants for manufacturers or other eligible service industries that trade internationally, usually covering:
- 60% of R&D projects costs for SMEs
- 40% of R&D project costs for large companies
- 100% of R&D project costs for research organisations and universities (up to 250,000 euros)
Enterprise Ireland HPSU’s (High Potential Start-Ups) are not normally eligible for funding. Other national agencies like IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta also provide funding, although the grant rates vary so this is best checked individually with them.
Research organisations and universities are only eligible for funding if there’s a company based in Ireland within their consortium.
How Leyton can help
At Leyton Ireland, we’re passionate about supporting cutting-edge companies as they create the innovative solutions that will lead us into the future.
As experts in R&D grant funding, we can review your eligibility for a Eurostars grant and help you to prepare your Eurostars bid for funding.
Need help with your application?
Speak to our dedicated Grants team.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
