Eurostars Call 12 funds international R&D projects led by innovative SMEs. It is open to any technology area. In addition, it helps SMEs co-develop new products, processes or services with partners abroad.
About the Eurostars Call 12
Eurostars is a Eureka programme run as a Horizon Europe partnership. It is the largest international funding scheme for R&D-performing SMEs. Furthermore, its bottom-up approach lets companies choose their own topic. As a result, it suits smart-city and urban-tech SMEs that want to build products with foreign partners. Explore more smart city funding opportunities on the UTA funding page.
Who Can Apply to the Eurostars Call 12
An innovative SME must lead each project. Partners must come from at least two Eurostars countries. In addition, SMEs must carry at least 50% of the project budget. However, Italy and Greece have no budget for this cut-off.
Focus Areas and Funding
Funding follows national rules in each participating country. A strong market case is essential, as evaluators assess impact closely. In short, applicants should align their project closely with the expected outcomes and impact described in the call text.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Programme: Eurostars, run by Eureka under the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs and co-funded by Horizon Europe
- Opening: 17 December 2026
- Deadline: 4 March 2027 at 14:00 CET
- Funding: grants from national funding bodies, under each country’s own rates and caps
- Example: in Switzerland, Innosuisse funds SMEs at up to 50%, large companies at up to 25% and research organisations at up to 50%
- Results: expected by mid-June 2027
Eligibility Rules
Consortia must meet all of these criteria:
- An innovative SME from a Eurostars country leads the project.
- The consortium includes at least two independent entities from at least two Eurostars countries, and at least one of them is from an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country.
- SMEs account for at least 50% of total project costs, excluding subcontracting.
- No single partner or country accounts for more than 70% of the budget.
- The project lasts 36 months or less and has a civilian purpose.
How Evaluation Works
- The call is open to all technology fields and targets products, processes or services close to market.
- The SME lead submits the application through the myEureka platform, with a signed commitment form, an SME declaration and any national annexes.
- Three independent experts assess each proposal on excellence, impact and quality of implementation.
- An independent evaluation panel then ranks the proposals, and national funding agreements follow around five to seven months after the deadline.
- National information may still change before the call opens, so check with your national funding body.
Source: the official Eureka call page for Eurostars Call 12, checked on 16 October 2026.
Why the Eurostars Call 12 Matters
For innovators, the Eurostars Call 12 opportunity can unlock funding, partners and first customers at the same time. In addition, it gives companies visibility with cities and investors across Europe. Successful projects often become references that open new markets. However, competition is strong, so a clear impact story matters. That is why UTA connects innovators with cities and research partners well before deadlines. Moreover, our network helps teams test their ideas against real urban challenges. As a result, members can build stronger proposals and turn funding into lasting growth.
Deadline and How to Apply
The call opens on 17 December 2026 and closes on 4 March 2027 at 14:00 CET. Applications go through the Eureka platform. For this reason, partners should confirm national eligibility early. Read the full details on the official call page. Urban Technology Alliance can also connect you with UTA innovators. Contact us to discuss a consortium for this call.