Eurostars 3

Eurostars is part of the European Partnership for Innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The partnership is co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe

Eurostars is primarily aimed at innovative small and medium-sized companies that are part of international project. It is possible to apply for funding for the development of market-oriented processes, products and services. Via international cooperation and European partnership, Eurostars provides access to new knowledge, collaborations and opportunities to test new markets.

Eurostars is an SME-driven programme and collaboration between 36 countries. In order to apply for Eurostars, the project must consist of at least two participating countries and the project coordinator must be an SME.

See all Eurostars countries

Different countries have different funding and application rules. These rules only apply to project parties from that country. Swedish parties must follow Vinnova's rules for funding and support levels. There are also a number of international formal eligibility requirements that apply to everyone. The participants in a Eurostars project need to check that each participant meets their national eligibility requirements and that all parties meet the common requirements before they apply.

Read the common requirements

On average, it usually opens two offers per year. The consortium submits its project application jointly through Eurostar's website. After a project submits its proposal, proposal goes through an international assessment process. Please note that Vinnova is not involved in the assessment process of the projects. However, all national financiers are involved and do the financial control, and therefore Swedish participants may hear from Vinnova if additional information is required.

If the project is approved for funding, it is the respective country's national financier who pays out funds to that country's participants. For Swedish parties, Vinnova is the financier. If project is approved, Vinnova will contact Swedish participants to submit a supplementary proposal.

Information on how to apply for

Information on the international assessment process

Who can apply?

Eurostars is primarily aimed at innovative SMEs. They can collaborate with academia, research organizations and the public sector. But even large companies can participate. The project must be coordinated by the small or medium-sized enterprise.

Read the EU definition of small and large companies on the Eurostar website

What are the requirements for the applicant?

In addition to following Vinnova's general terms and conditions for funding, the Swedish project parties must also fulfill the following term:

• Company must be registered as a Swedish limited company
• Companies must have a place of business in Sweden
• Activities in the project must be conducted at the Swedish operating site and the project costs must be borne by the operating site
• Companies must be registered for employer contribution
• Companies must have submitted at least 2 annual reports to the Swedish Companies Registration Office

• The most recently registered annual report must show that net turnover or equity corresponds to at least half of the requested sum.

• Payment notes and other notes in financial information. If the company has a debt balance to the enforcement agency, other financial or legal objections, we will not finance the company.

All formal requirements must be met by the application deadline for each call. Vinnova only checks the most recently registered annual report when assessing national criteria. The financial control of the projects will begin immediately after closure.  It is not possible to update or supplement the application after the call has closed.

Vinnova works for equal social development and an inclusive innovation ecosystem. Therefore, we follow up and assess whether both women and men equally share in the grant, participate in and have influence over the project. We also want to increase the participation of actors who have not applied for international funding before.

Another aspect is that applicant needs to analyze and decide whether there are gender and/or gender aspects that are relevant in relation to the project's problem area, solutions and utilization. This question is mandatory for all applicant and forms the basis of assessment.

Applicant should also have a drawn up and publicly published equality action plan (GEP) in accordance with Horisont Europas's regulations.

What can I apply for funding for?

You can apply for funding for close-to-market research and innovation projects in all areas of technology. Your project must lead to the market introduction of a product, service or process no later than two years after the end of project. Project within life science may make exceptions for clinical studies. The projects can last for a maximum of three years and must be a collaboration between at least two Eurostars countries.

How much can I apply for?

Swedish participants can apply for a maximum of five million kroner for a project. If the project lacks a Swedish small or medium-sized company, you can apply for a maximum of two million kroner.

Your international proposal is made in Euros. The exchange rate between Euro and SEK is determined on the day the call for proposals closes. Please note the maximum funding levels mentioned above and the grant levels below.

• Small and medium-sized companies according to the EU's definition can apply funding for 50 percent of their costs.
• Large companies can apply funding for 30 percent of their costs.
• Universities, university colleges, research institutes or the public sector seek funding for 70 percent of their costs.

Please note that support levels may vary for funders from other countries.

Support office for Swedish participants

EU SME Support provides free expert advice and can be a support

• when you formulate your proposal for the first time
• if you have been rejected and want to apply again
• if you need support with reporting and audits after granted funding
• if you have other questions during the course of the project.

Employees at EU SME Support are located all over Sweden and have broad industry expertise and extensive experience in both business coaching and EU applications. EU SME Support works on behalf of Vinnova and Tillväxtverket for more Swedish SMEs to apply funding from the EU programs Horizon 2020 and Eurostars.

EU SME Support website for free guidance on EU funding

How to apply

1. Make sure you are entitled to funding

Start by reading Eurostar's national and international rules for participation.

2. Contact cooperation partners

Identify and contact international collaboration partners. Contact Enterprise Europe Network for support and guidance. They are well established in 67 countries with 3,000 colleagues. Together with 600 partner organizations/partners, they help companies find international business contacts and partners in new markets.

3. Contact the support office

Contact the support office to get help with how to apply for funding in the best way. The support office provides free help and guidance. You can also contact one of the national contacts for Eurostars with us at Vinnova.

The support office for small and medium-sized companies that want to apply for EU funding https://eusme.se/

4. Send proposal to EUREKA

Submit your proposal to the EUREKA Eurostars portal. Read how to apply here: Eureka | Apply (eurekanetwork.org)

5. Wait for assessment

All applications go through an international evaluation process that takes place in two stages. Read more about the steps on Eureka's own website

6. Decision

Abbot Liljero's secretariat approves your proposal, we will contact you to seek funding for the Swedish parties with us.

On Eurostar's website, there is also a list of guides for you who will apply. There you will find answers to all your questions.

Eurostars list of guides Eureka

Read more about Eurostars

Eurostar website