EUREKA
What’s Eureka?
EUREKA is an intergovernmental network launched in 1985, to support market-oriented R&D and innovation projects by industry, research centres and universities across all technological sectors. It is composed of 39 members, including the European Community. EUREKA offers project partners rapid access to skills and expertise across Europe and national public and private funding schemes.EUREKA provides tools to match R&D performing entrepreneurs in joint research projects.
Funding
Unlike the Framework of the European Commission there is no direct central funding through this network. Research projects are funded through national research schemes.
39 member countries of EUREKA have committed themselves to support research within this network through their national funding schemes.
EUREKA Label
The projects which pass successfully the evaluation process performed by the EUREKA High Level Group are granted the prestigious EUREKA label. This label facilitates the access for your project to funding at national level.
Since 1985, more than 26 billion euro of public-private investment has been mobilised to support over 3,000 EUREKA projects
The internationally-recognized EUREKA label provides your project with high visibility and facilitated your access to financing when dealing with potential private investors.
How to apply?
Projects are submitted directly to the EUREKA Secretariat based in Brussels. Once the project is endorsed, you can start seeking for funding from the national research schemes available in your country.
An animated scheme which explains the project submission process is available on the EUREKA website:
http://www.eurekanetwork.org/how-to-start-a-project
National Information Points (NIP) in your country will provide you with all the necessary information you need in the application process.
To see the list of NIPs click here: http://www.eurekanetwork.org/in-your-country
Which projects are eligible?
Projects can be launched in virtually all technological areas. They must have a civilian nature.
Projects are bottom-up: the partners are totally free in their choice of topic, partner(s) and timeframe, provided there is market potential for their idea. They are never bound to a strict research programme and there are no centralised calls for proposals.
EUREKA projects can be of any size, ranging from several hundred thousands of euro to tens of millions. However they should involve a minimum of 2 independent partners from 2 different EUREKA Member States.
EUREKA Umbrellas are thematic networks that focus on a particular technology or business sector. Their goal is to generate and support R&D projects in their specific field of operation.
Pro-Factory is the EUREKA umbrella which is dedicated to generating and supporting projects in the area of advanced manufacturing technology. It is open to collaborative R&D projects in production and robotics.
This umbrella has a running period of 4 years (2007-2011) and involves 21 countries.
More information is on the homepage of the Pro-factory Network: http://www.profactory.eu/index.php?id=9
PRO-FACTORY Database for partner and project search:
This database helps you find potential partners for your project by advertising your profile and needs online. Fields covered: lasers, robotics and production technologies
http://www.b2match.com/profactory/
Check also the projects lloking for partners under the Pro-Factory Umbrella on the Eureka website. Click here.
EUROSTARS for R&D performing SMEs
The Eurostars* Programme is a European innovation programme managed by EUREKA. Its purpose is to provide funding for market-oriented research and development specifically with the active participation of R&D-performing small and medium-sized enterprises.
Under the EUROSTARS scheme, projects are led by R&D performing SMEs. The applications are submitted to the EUREKA secretariat. Projects are funded primarily through national research funding schemes.
Who can participate?
> Primary criterion is to fulfil the SME-definition of the EU.
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/facts-figures-analysis/sme-definition/index_en.htm
> Consortium Leader is an R&D-performing SME, meaning that it invest 10% or more of full-time equivalent or annual turnover in research activities.
> At least 2 participants from Eurostars participating countries.
Thematic area:
> No restriction on thematic area (bottom up)
Evaluation:
> 2 step evaluation
> Technical assessment by independent experts and an independent evaluation panel
Funding:
> Through national research funding schemes
What is the advantage?
> Predictable procedures (effective EUREKA network support and transparency)
> Short lead-time (3 months from cut-off date to funding decision)
> Funding is assured (national commitment)
How to participate?
Registration and submission of applications are made on the Eurostars website.Click here: https://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/sbmLogin.do
Guide for applicants available on the Eurostars website:
http://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/forms/guidelinesforapplicants.pdf
Contact your National Project Coordinator for more information and support in the preparation of your application for Eurostars funding.: http://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/where.do
References:
EUREKA website: http://www.eurekanetwork.org/
Profactory: http://www.profactory.eu/
Eurostars website: www.eurostars-eureka.eu
