Eurostars is the only Europe-wide funding programme to be specifically designed for innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). In a short period of time, the programme has raised to an unique position in the complex landscape of R&D funding instruments. As a joint EU-EUREKA programme, Eurostars will be included in the EU research flagship Horizon 2020. With a budget of 70 billion euro, Horizon 2020 would be once implemented the world’s largest research programme. The follow-up to the current Eurostars programme under Horizon 2020 should equally benefit from a large budget, including high financial commitments from national innovation agencies taking part in the scheme.

‘THE NEXT EUROSTARS FUNDING CALL IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN 2014. THERE WILL BE NO MORE EUROSTARS CALLS IN 2013.'

The main participant of a Eurostars project’s consortium must be an R&D SME in order to satisfy the Eurostars eligibility criteria. Projects are collaborative, meaning they must involve at least two participants from two different Eurostars participating countries. Projects are also market-driven: within two years of project completion, the product of the research should be ready for launch onto the market.

In line with the objectives set for Horizon 2020, Eurostars will continue to support innovative SMEs encouraging them to create market-oriented innovations spurring economic activity. With streamlined and improved procedures, Eurostars 2 will promote technological and business development, while boosting employment as well as exports for European small businesses.

Further information on the specifics of the call will be announced after the event marking the launch of the Eurostars, on October 30, 2013 in Brussels.