Eurostars Programme
International R&D Support for Innovative SMEs
Eurostars is part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe framework. In Croatia, Eurostars is supported through the Second Swiss Contribution, which helps reduce economic and social disparities across selected EU Member States.
This programme is designed to support SMEs engaged in in-house R&D by facilitating collaboration with international partners. Each project must include at least two participating Eurostars member countries.
Programme Objectives
- Promote SME-led R&D to strengthen innovation capacity
- Enable cross-border collaboration between innovative businesses
- Support entry into international markets
Who Can Apply? (Croatian Applicants)
- The main applicant must be an R&D-performing SME—a company that conducts its own in-house research and development.
- R&D-performing SMEs must carry out at least 50% of the project’s total R&D-related costs (excluding subcontracting).
Funding Details
- Maximum Funding per Croatian Partner: €200,000
- Co-funding Rate:
- Up to 60% for micro and small enterprises
- Up to 50% for medium-sized enterprises (Funding provided is whichever amount is lower)
- Project Duration: Up to 36 months
- Eligible Projects: Development of new products, services, or processes
Eligible Costs
- Staff salaries
- Depreciation and small equipment
- External service costs
- Travel expenses
- Other R&D-related expenses
How to Apply
- Online Submission:
Complete the Eurostars Application Form by 4 September 2025 - National Documentation:
Submit required documents for Croatian partners via this website by 15 September 2025
(Refer to the Croatian Eurostars Manual for full instructions)
Important Notes
- HAMAG-BICRO reserves the right to modify the call. All updates will be published at www.hamagbicro.hr.
- For detailed project eligibility and partner requirements, consult the official Eurostars website and Croatian national guidelines.