GRANTS
EUREKA
EUREKA is a programme that encourages small, medium and large companies to cooperate with international partners in the initiation of research and development (RD) activities.
Programme objectives are:
- encourage companies to invest in research and development activities, thereby strengthen their innovation capacity
- encourage international cooperation of entrepreneurs
- create the grounds for international market placement
The programme is intended for micro, small and medium companies.
Scientific and research institutions (public higher education institutions and public research institutes) can join the project as external collaborators but cannot participate in the project as project partners.
Financing value (in HRK)
The maximum amount of grant per individual project is:
- for small companies 60%
- for medium-sized companies 50%
- for large companies 40%
but up to EUR 200,000 at most.
Project duration
The maximum duration of the project is three years (36 months).
Status
For information on the Program’s status of funds for new projects, contact the National Project Coordinator (NPC).
Funding under the EUREKA Programme
Funds under the EUREKA Programme are awarded based on the State Aid Award Programme of HAMAG-BICRO dated 7 March 2024 (Reference: Class: 403-01/24-01/01, Reg. No: 567-10-24-2), which refers to Article 25 – Aid for research and development projects of Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014, as amended by Commission Regulations (EU) 2017/1084 of 14 June 2017, 2020/972 of 2 July 2020, 2021/452 of 15 March 2021, 2021/1237 of 23 July 2021, 2023/1315 of 23 June 2023, and the Corrigendum (OJ L 026, 31.1.2018, p. 53 – 2017/1084), as well as the De minimis Aid Award Regulation of 7 March 2024 (Reference: Class: 403-01/24-01/02, Reg. No: 567-10-24-1), in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 of 13 December 2023.
About
EUREKA is a European initiative supporting market-oriented R&D projects across various technology sectors. It was established in 1985 by the Hannover Declaration, signed by 17 European countries and the European Community. Today, the network includes 48 countries and the European Commission. Member countries voluntarily support international projects from their national budgets.
The Republic of Croatia has been a full member of EUREKA since 23 June 2000.
EUREKA helps build partnerships through multilateral projects aimed at strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. Project results are expected to be new products or services promoting advanced technologies with clear market potential.
More information on the initiative’s history and participating countries is available at: www.eurekanetwork.org
Headquarters and Organisational Structure
- High Level Group (HLG): Each member country appoints one representative to the HLG, which meets four times per year. It oversees programme governance and prepares policy discussions for the Ministerial Conference. Representatives are appointed by the national ministry responsible for EUREKA.
- National Project Coordinators (NPCs): Responsible for coordinating EUREKA’s administrative and promotional activities in member countries. They assist participants with project ideas, provide funding information, and facilitate international cooperation. NPCs also meet four times a year to coordinate activities and prepare proposals for the HLG.
- EUREKA Secretariat (Brussels): The central support unit managing the EUREKA database, responsible for marketing, communications, and development activities.
Each year, typically in June/July, a different member country assumes the EUREKA Chairmanship, responsible for organising meetings and setting the strategic direction of the initiative.
Objectives
The primary goal of EUREKA is to encourage companies to invest in research and development (R&D), thereby strengthening their capacity for innovation. The programme promotes collaboration and pooling of resources to develop innovative, globally competitive products, services, or processes through international partnerships.
EUREKA supports high-quality, market-driven R&D projects with the aim of facilitating market access and enhancing European technological competitiveness.
EUREKA follows a bottom-up approach, meaning there are no thematic restrictions. Projects in any technology field with a civil purpose are eligible, as long as they involve the development of a new product, process, or service.
The initiative also serves as a forum for dialogue among participating governments to shape innovation policy across Europe.
Types of Projects
- EUREKA Network Projects
The backbone of the programme, these projects encourage SMEs from all sectors to independently or collaboratively invest in R&D with international partners, aiming to develop innovative products, processes, or services in areas crucial to their business.
- Eurostars
A joint programme by the EUREKA Secretariat and the European Commission, aimed specifically at R&D-performing SMEs. The Commission may contribute up to 25% of the public funding share. There are no thematic restrictions. Projects must have a civil application and result in a new product, process, or service.
- EUREKA Clusters
Strategically defined industry initiatives with multiple partners focused on the development and commercialisation of generic technologies important to European competitiveness (e.g., ICT, energy, biotechnology).
Note: Croatia will not fund cluster projects in 2025.
A list of active clusters is available at www.eurekanetwork.org.
Applicants and Partners
The programme is intended for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in the development of new products, services, or processes. An SME is defined as a company that:
- Has fewer than 250 employees
- Has an annual turnover below EUR 40 million
- Has a balance sheet total below EUR 43 million
- Meets the autonomy criterion as per the Croatian Small Business Development Act (NN No. 29/2002, 63/2007, 53/2012, 56/2013)
Research institutions may participate as external collaborators but cannot act as main applicants. Eligible institutions include:
- Public universities
- Public research institutes
As projects are nationally funded, each country may define its own rules on funding intensity, evaluation procedures, and eligibility.
Important: According to Croatian national rules, crafts and sole proprietors are not eligible for co-financing under the EUREKA Programme.
A beneficiary (i.e., any Croatian partner) may have only one ongoing EUREKA project. Signing a contract for a new project depends on the successful completion of the previous one.
International Cooperation Requirement
Since EUREKA projects are international by nature, each project must include at least two partners from different member countries. The full list of EUREKA member countries is available at: www.eurekanetwork.org
If there are multiple Croatian partners, one must be designated as the main national partner.
All partners form a project consortium, in which no single applicant or country may account for more than 70% of the total project costs.
Contact us
Ksaver 208, Zagreb, Croatia
eureka [at] hamagbicro.hr
- National project coordinator (NPC)
Marija Galeković
01 489 1863 - Deputy NPC
Sonja Šegvić Smolić
01 638 1617
- High-level representative of Republic of Croatia in Eureka programme
Ante-Janko Bobetko
HAMAG-BICRO
Relevant programme documents are available here.
