The Eurostars Call 11 funding call is designed for innovative SMEs and their partners looking to develop international research and innovation projects. This program is part of the Eureka network and benefits from co-funding by the European Union through Horizon Europe. It represents a funding opportunity for African and international startups collaborating with organizations from the network’s member countries. Many countries participate in this scheme, creating a favorable framework for scientific and technological cooperation. This article outlines the main features of this call, its criteria, and its application process.
This type of international entrepreneurship competition attracts the attention of innovative project holders, particularly those based in Africa seeking European or North American partners. Understanding the rules of Eurostars Call 11 helps applicants better prepare their submission and increase their chances of success.
Background and Objective of the Call
Eurostars is a funding instrument designed to support innovative SMEs and their project partners. These partners can include large companies, universities, research organizations, or other types of institutions. The main objective is to fund collaborative R&D and innovation projects on an international scale.
This program is part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe. As a result, participating organizations can access public funds to carry out projects in any technological field. This mechanism represents a genuine support opportunity for companies wishing to innovate internationally.
The Eureka network, which oversees this initiative, brings together numerous partner countries worldwide, particularly in Europe, North America, and Southern Africa, with South Africa taking part. This geographic diversity fosters transnational collaboration between SMEs and research organizations.
Eligibility Criteria (Who Can Apply)
To submit an application to Eurostars Call 11, the project consortium must include an innovative SME acting as the lead partner. Other types of organizations can join this consortium, including:
- Large companies
- Universities
- Research organizations
- Other types of partner organizations
In addition, seven international eligibility criteria must be met for an application to be considered valid. These criteria, along with their detailed definitions, are available in the official Eurostars guidelines. It is therefore essential to review this document before submitting an application, as any submission that does not meet these criteria will be automatically rejected.
Furthermore, additional national or regional criteria may apply depending on the applicant organization’s country. It is therefore recommended to check these requirements with the relevant national or regional funding body.
Available Funding
The amount of funding granted to each organization depends on the National Funding Body of its country. Rules therefore vary considerably from one country to another. Here are a few examples illustrating this diversity:
- In Belgium (Flanders), funding can reach up to 60% for a development project and 70% for a research project, with a cap of 500,000 euros for the Flemish part of the consortium.
- In Bulgaria, the National Innovation Fund offers a grant capped at 200,000 euros per project.
- In Canada, the NRC IRAP program covers up to 50% of project costs for SMEs, with a maximum amount of 500,000 Canadian dollars per participant.
- In Croatia, the HAMAG-BICRO agency funds up to 60% of costs for micro and small enterprises, with a cap of 200,000 euros per project.
Organizations from countries that are not members of the Eureka network can also participate, provided they self-fund their project costs. However, some countries, such as Belgium (Brussels) or Cyprus, currently have no budget allocated for this call. In such cases, it is advisable to contact the National Funding Body directly to explore other options or self-funding possibilities.
Application Deadline
Applications for Eurostars Call 11 can be submitted between July 9, 2026, and September 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM (Central European Time). This submission window gives project holders sufficient time to prepare a solid and complete application.
It is important to note that some National Funding Bodies impose additional deadlines. For example, Austrian participants must submit additional national documentation within two weeks of the Eurostars deadline. It is therefore recommended to check these specific requirements with your national body well ahead of the call’s closing date.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted exclusively online, through the dedicated Eureka network platform. Project holders must create an account and submit their application before the specified deadline. It is strongly recommended to review the official guidelines and the resources available in the Eurostars resource library beforehand.
In addition, some countries require supplementary national documentation, which must be submitted separately to the local funding body. Each applicant should therefore find out about the specific procedures in their home country before finalizing their application.
👉 Submit your application here
Other Funding Opportunities for African Startups
African entrepreneurs can also explore other competitions and support programs.
📌 See all calls for projects for entrepreneurs (in French)
📌 Check out opportunities in English
Conclusion
Eurostars Call 11, managed by the Eureka network, represents a great opportunity for innovative SMEs looking to collaborate internationally. Whether you are based in Europe, North America, or Africa, this program can give you access to substantial funding for your R&D projects. Don’t wait until the last minute: start preparing your application now for the September 2026 deadline.