Eurostars-3 is a Eureka programme, part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, which supports innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in the implementation of international research and development projects.

The programme funds collaborative projects for the development of new products, processes and services with clear market potential. SMEs, large companies, universities, research organisations and other partners may participate in the projects. Through Eurostars, Bulgarian enterprises have the opportunity to work with international partners, develop innovative solutions and accelerate their path to market.

Application procedure under the joint Eurostars-3 programme

Applications under the joint Eurostars-3 programme are carried out in two consecutive steps — an international stage before the Eureka Secretariat and a national stage before the National Innovation Fund.

First step: application to the Eureka Secretariat

At the first stage, project proposals are submitted through the Eureka/Eurostars platform, in accordance with the conditions, deadlines and requirements of the international programme.

Information on the application conditions, eligible applicants, deadlines for submitting project proposals and applicable documents is published on the official website of the Eureka initiative:
https://www.eurekanetwork.org/

After completion of the international evaluation, the list of ranked project proposals is approved by the High Level Group of the Eureka initiative.

Second step: submission of application documentation to the National Innovation Fund

After approval of the ranked projects, the list is provided to the National Innovation Fund.

The National Innovation Fund announces the opening of a call session for the submission of national application documentation by ranked project proposals with Bulgarian participation.

At this stage, Bulgarian participants in the approved projects must submit the required documents to the NIF, in accordance with the conditions and guidelines published under the relevant call session.

Only project proposals that have successfully passed the international evaluation and are included in the approved list may proceed to the national application stage before the National Innovation Fund.

More information on open calls and applications under both steps can be found in the Programmes and Funding section.