Eureka Eurostars 2: round 15

Key Features

UK SMEs can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million to collaborate in research with partners across Europe and associated countries.

Programme:     Innovate UK

Award:     Share of up to £2.5 million

Opens: 15th Dec 2020

Closes: 4th Feb 2021

! This scheme is now closed

Overview

This competition is aimed at micro, small or medium sized enterprises (SMEs) working on high-quality research and development (R&D) projects across national borders.

Scope

Eurostars is a European funding programme dedicated to supporting R&D performing SMEs in innovative R&D projects.

It has a market-driven approach, which gives companies full control over project content. It also supports collaborative research and innovation projects that can go to market 2 years after the project finishes.

You can apply for Eurostars funding for any sector or industry. It can address any technological area but must be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service.

Your project must have a civilian purpose. It cannot have a military purpose.

Exclusions

Innovate UK will not fund projects that do not have a civilian purpose.

Innovate UK will not fund any of the following types of organisations, including:

  • academic institutions, including universities
  • research and technology organisations (RTOs)
  • charities
  • large companies

These organisations can take part but must self-fund or use funds from other sources.
Book a 30-minute consultation

Our team are available to discuss your innovative business, your project ideas and how we can help you to write a successful application for this Grant Funding opportunity.

Use the calendar to select and book a consultation with one of our experts, at a time that’s convenient for you.

Eligibility

In the UK, only UK registered research-performing SMEs are eligible for funding. More than one UK SME can be involved in each project.

Each of the UK research-performing SMEs must meet one of these conditions:

  • invest 10% or more of their turnover into research
  • have 10% of their full-time equivalent staff working on research activities
  • have 5 or more full-time staff working on research activities if the SME has 100 or fewer employees
  • have 10 or more full-time staff working on research activities if the SME has more than 100 employees

You must follow the Eurostars eligibility criteria, and the Innovate UK criteria detailed in this competition at the application deadline and throughout your project:

  1. UK SMEs can only take part in one Eurostars project at a time.
  2. If any UK partner has an existing project, it must declare that all project deliverables are met. You cannot apply for new Eurostars projects until your previous projects have been completed.
  3. UK partners must be separate, non-linked legal entities.
  4. UK partners must have been trading for 12 months at the competition application deadline.
  5. All work must be carried out in the UK and your project costs must be incurred in the UK.
  6. UK subcontracting is capped at 20% of the UK partners’ total eligible costs.
  7. UK-led projects must be managed by a research and development (R&D) performing SME. You cannot subcontract project management.
  8. Your labour costs must be on a pay as you earn (PAYE) basis, following the PAYE rules below.

PAYE rules

If you do not currently operate a company PAYE scheme and are working directly on the project, you can include your labour as an eligible cost. This must be in line with the European Commission policy and meet the following conditions:

  • your labour costs must be calculated using a maximum of 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, 40 hours per week and £22 per hour
  • your costs must be recorded through the business accounts
  • your project time must be supported by timesheets and project records