1. The Eurostars Programme
The EU-EUREKA joint funding programme
for R&D-performing SMEs

2. What is EUREKA ?
> EUREKA is a public network supporting R&D-performing businesses
> Established in 1985 by French President Mitterrand and German Chancellor Kohl
An intergovernmental network of 39 members: EU-27, European Community and 11 other countries
EUREKA projects are financed through national public and private funding
Market-oriented: Projects must result in a marketable product, process or service
Bottom-up: The consortium decides on the project objectives; there are no thematic restrictions
Since 1985, more than 26 billion euro of public-private investment has been mobilised to support over 3,000 EUREKA projects

3. EUREKA member countries
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
European Union
Finland
France
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom

4. What comprises EUREKA ? EUREKA supports THREE types of projects
Clusters
Long-term and strategically-significant.
Clusters involve a large number of participants, many from Europe’s largest companies.
Develop generic technologies of key importance to European competitiveness.
Individual Projects (eg. E!1782; E!1344)
Small, shorter-term projects, involving participants from at least two member countries.
Result in a product, process or service with a significant advance in their sector.
Some of these projects are grouped together in a thematic network, known as an Umbrella.
Eurostars Projects
Small, short-term projects, involving participants from at least two member countries.
The consortium leader is a research-performing SME.
Programmed jointly with the European Community (through the Framework Programme).

5. Who participates in EUREKA projects ?
Participants in currently-running Individual Projects (700 projects, 2600 participants)
July 2008

6. What technologies are involved?
Currently-running individual projects
(based on number of projects)
July 2008

7. For more information > www.eureka.be

8. About Eurostars…

9. The Eurostars Programme
> The Eurostars Programme is the first European funding and support programme to be specifically dedicated to R&D performing SMEs.
A joint programme (from ), combining:
National R&D programmes from 31 participating countries (300+ million euro already committed)
Seventh Framework Programme (+/-100 million euro committed)
EUREKA Secretariat (20+ years of experience in coordination of national R&D programmes)
First deadline for applications: 8 February 2008
Next deadline for applications: 21 November 2008

10. Adoption by the European Union
Eurostars exploits Article 169 of the EU Treaty, requiring co-decision by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers
Adoption by the
European Parliament
10 April 2008
Adoption by the
Council of Ministers
23 June 2008

11. Eurostars participating countries
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom
status June 2008

12. Eurostars Projects : Eligibility
Consortium leader is an R&D-performing SME*
At least 2 participants from Eurostars countries
Project duration is no more than than 36 months
Market introduction is foreseen within 2 years after project completion
The research-performing SMEs undertake minimum 50% of total R&D cost
Well-balanced partnership, with no single country responsible for more than 75% of the project costs
No restriction on thematic area and project managed from the bottom up
* EU SME definition and 10% FTE or turnover dedicated to R&D

13. The Eurostars process…

14. Central evaluation process
Next cut-off date 21 November :00(CET)

15. Support and assistance from EUREKA

16. Signing up as a Eurostars applicant

17. The Eurostars application procedure
A confirmation of the participation to the project is asked by sending the document signed by fax or mail to the Eureka Secretariat address within 7 days following the sending date and maximum 7 days after the cut off date.

18. The eligibility check Consortium Leader is an R&D-performing SME*
At least 2 participants that are Eurostars members
Project duration is less than 3 years
Market introduction is foreseen within 2 years after project completion
The R&D performing SMEs are undertaking at least 50% of total R&D cost
Well balanced partnership (no country responsible for more than 75% of the project costs)
No restriction on thematic area (bottom up)
* 10% FTE engaged in R&D or 10% turnover dedicated to R&D

19. A two-step evaluation process
Technical assessment by two independent experts
Evaluation and ranking by members of the
Independent Evaluation Panel (IEP):
Basic Assessment (maximum 100 points)
Well balanced partnership; Added value through cooperation
Technological and managerial capacity of all participants
Methodology; Cost and financing structure
Technology and Innovation (maximum 100 points)
Degree of Technological maturity
Technological achievements envisaged
Degree of Innovation
Market and Competitiveness (maximum 100 points)
Market size, access and risk
Time to Market
Return on Investment

20. The selection of technical experts

21. The assessment of applications

22. The NPC ‘cover note’

23. Evaluation by the IEP
Independent Evaluation Panel : 6 members + 1 chairman

24. Ranking of applications by the IEP

25. Eurostars HLG endorsement of IEP Report

26. Communication of results
Once the ranking list has been endorsed by the Eurostars High Level Group:
Applicants whose projects are scored above the threshold (200 points) are informed of their position in the ranking list and must contact their NPC to progress.
Applicants whose projects scores below the threshold are informed.

27. Funding of applications
Applicants must make immediate contact with their NPC to move forward
The funding of partners is based on national funding rules
The funding of projects is following the ranking list until
national budget is exhausted
For the project to be a valid Eurostars one, all partners must
be funded
Ranking
Project AT BE CY DE … 58
E!4567 V 59
E!4289 60
E!4978 X 61
E!4157

28. Eurostars is effective because…
Predictable procedures (effective EUREKA network support and transparency)
Short lead-time (3 months from cut-off date to funding decision)
Funding is assured (national commitment)

29. Results after the first Eurostars cut-off

30. Key facts Applications received and validated 215
Applications eligible
189
Applications above threshold
133
Projects financed 84
Total project cost
125 million euro
Average project cost
1.5 million euro
Total number of participants
250
Average number of participants per project 3
Average number of participating countries per project
2.4
Average duration in months
29.5

31. Who participates in these projects ?

32. Which countries participate in these projects ?

33. What technologies are involved (based on cost)?

34. What markets are addressed?

35. For more information > www.eurostars-eureka.eu

36. Guidelines for applicants
> Download PDF at

37. Thank you for listening
EUREKA Secretariat