Eurostars is a funding programme designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their partners - including large companies, universities, research organisations and other eligible entities - in implementing collaborative international research, development and innovation projects. Through Eurostars, participating organisations can access public funding to develop innovative products, processes and services with strong potential for commercialisation. The National Innovation Fund (NIF) acts as Bulgaria’s National Funding Body (NFB) for Eurostars and, in this capacity, administers the state aid provided to Bulgarian participants in accordance with the applicable national rules and procedures.

Applications under Eurostars-3 follow a two-stage process comprising an international stage and a national stage.

At the first stage, project proposals are submitted via the Eureka/Eurostars platform and undergo an international evaluation in accordance with the programme rules. Eurostars supports collaborative international research and innovation projects led by innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), working with partners from different countries.

To submit a successful Eurostars application, applicants should:

• Define their project idea.
• Collaborate internationally and share expertise.
• Develop products, processes or services with strong commercialisation potential.

Applicants can submit their research, development and innovation project applications under Eurostars-3 – Call 11 between 9 July 2026 and 10 September 2026, by 14:00 CEST, via the Eurostars project platform:

https://myeurekaproject.org/

More information about Eurostars-3 – Call 11 is available on the official Eureka website: https://www.eurekanetwork.org/programmes-and-calls/eurostars/eurostars-call-for-projects-september-2026/

Applicants are kindly advised that Eureka has updated the following guidance documents to reflect the new login process for the application platform:

• Application Platform Guidelines
• How to Complete a Consortium Agreement
• Guidelines for Requesting Changes
• Project Progress Report Guidelines
• End-of-Project Report Guidelines

Following a positive international evaluation under Eurostars-3, Bulgarian participants in approved project proposals proceed to the national funding stage. Applications for national financial support are submitted to the National Innovation Fund (NIF) via ISUN.