GRANTS
EUROSTARS
Program description
Eurostars is a research and development programme created as a joint initiative of EUREKA and the European Commission. The basic criterion is the participation of at least two member countries. List of applicable countries: www.eurostars-eureka.eu
Applicant
The main partner on the project must be a small or medium-sized company engaged in research and development (innovative SME). Other project partners must be small or medium-sized enterprises.
Scientific and research institutions can join the project as external collaborators, but cannot participate in the project as project partners nor can they be members of the HR consortium.
Financing value (in EUR)
The maximum amount of grant per individual project amounts to a maximum of EUR 200,000, i.e. 60% for micro and small enterprises and 50% for medium-sized enterprises, whichever is less.
Duration
The maximum duration of the project is three years (36 months).
Status
The EUREKA Secretariat publishes calls for proposals for Eurostars programme twice a year (March and September).
About the Programme
Eurostars is part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe. In Croatia, the research programme is financed through the Second Swiss Contribution to selected EU Member States aimed at reducing economic and social disparities.
Eurostars supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in launching research and development (R&D) activities in collaboration with international partners. A key eligibility criterion is the participation of at least two member countries in the project.
A list of eligible countries is available here.
Programme Objectives
- Encourage businesses to invest in R&D activities and strengthen their innovation capacity
- Promote international cooperation among enterprises
- Lay the foundations for international market placement
Applicants
The main project partner must be an R&D-performing SME—a small or medium-sized enterprise actively engaged in research and development.
The role of such companies within the project must be significant.
At least 50% of the total project costs related to R&D activities must be carried out by R&D-performing SMEs. This percentage cannot include subcontracting costs.
Funding Details
- Maximum funding per project: EUR 200,000
- Funding intensity:
- Up to 60% for micro and small enterprises
- Up to 50% for medium-sized enterprises
(whichever is lower)
- Project duration: Maximum 36 months
- Project type: Development of a new product, service, or process
Eligible Costs
- Employee salaries
- Depreciation and small equipment
- Costs of external services
- Travel expenses
- Other development-related costs
Application Process
The application consists of two steps:
- Online application – Complete and submit the Eurostars Application Form by 4 September 2025
- National documentation – Croatian partners must submit the required national documents to HAMAG-BICRO by 15 September 2025, in line with the Eurostars Programme Manual
Additional Notes
- HAMAG-BICRO reserves the right to modify or amend this call. Any changes will be published on the official website: www.hamagbicro.hr
- The term SME refers to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises as defined by EU Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003
EU SME definition: SME Definition – European Commission
Legal Basis
Eurostars funding is awarded under the State Aid Award Programme of HAMAG-BICRO dated 8 December 2020 (Class: 402-10/18-01/01, Reg. No: 567-10-20-7), referring to Article 25 – Aid for R&D Projects of:
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1084 of 14 June 2017
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/972 of 2 July 2020
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/452 of 15 March 2021
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1237 of 23 July 2021
- Corrigendum, OJ L 026, 31.1.2018, p. 53 (2017/1084)
...and under the De Minimis Aid Regulation dated 27 July 2016 (Class: 030-02/16-01/12, Reg. No: 567-10-16-2).
In case of any irregularity, please contact us here.
Relevant programme documents are available here.
Contact us
Ksaver 208, Zagreb, Croatia
eurostars [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
