Eurostars 3

How does Eurostars work?

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. Through 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

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 contribution, 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.

Eurostars is primarily aimed at innovative small and medium-sized companies. 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

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

• Companies must have submitted at least 2 annual reports to the Swedish Companies Registration Office.
• 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 as employers with the Swedish Tax Agency.

We also assess financial status
Before we decide on funding, we also make an overall assessment of the organizational and financial status of those who receive funding.
We use information we receive from credit reports, currently from Dun & Bradstreet.

In order for us to grant funding, this applies:

• Organizations must not be insolvent, undergo liquidation or corporate restructuring. They must also not have unpaid debts with the Swedish Enforcement Agency.
• Joint stock companies must not have used up half or more of their share capital.

Vinnova only checks the last registered annual report when assessment national criteria.

The financial control of the projects begins immediately after closing.

It is not possible to update and supplement afterwards.

With a small or medium-sized company on the Swedish side of a Eurostars project, the maximum amount for all parties in that proposal is a total of SEK 5 million.

If the project does not involve a Swedish small or medium-sized company, the maximum amount that can be applied for on the Swedish side is a total of SEK 2 million.

Applicant small and medium-sized companies must show in their most recently registered annual report (of at least two) that net turnover or equity corresponds to at least half of the sum applied for.

If an organization entered too high a requested funding, it will automatically be adjusted to the correct level.

Your international proposal is made in Euros. The rate between Euro and SEK is determined on the day the call for proposals opens and the rate can be found here - Swedish krona (SEK) (europa.eu).

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 for funding for 50 percent of their costs.
Large companies can apply for 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.

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.

1. Make sure you are entitled to funding

Start by reading Eurostar's National and International Rules of 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 enterprises that want to apply for EU funding

4. Send proposal to EUREKA

Submit your proposal to the EUREKA Eurostars portal.

Read how to apply to Eureka here

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

Om EUREKAs'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 are going to apply. There you will find answers to all your questions.

Eurostars list of guides Eureka