European Union Funding Programs

New products or services based on radical innovations, scientific discoveries, or disruptive technologies (“deep tech”).

The technology must be in the prototyping and testing phase (TRL 5 or higher). A filed or granted patent is recommended.

Short proposal (continuous submission), full proposal (2 deadlines per year), pitch and interview with the Commission.

Up to €3 million (or €4 million in the case of Pathfinder Challenges), covering 100% of direct costs + a 25% flat rate for indirect costs, for concept development, basic research, technology formulation, scaled prototype, and publications.

Funds to be used over 36 months to demonstrate that the core ideas behind the envisioned future technology are feasible in practice and to validate the scientific and technological foundations of the project (TRL 4). 50% of the grant is paid upfront.

Project submission according to the deadlines set each year by the Commission.

Typically two deadlines per year (Q1 and Q4).

Innovative projects starting from the early stages of technology maturation and validation through to commercialization.

The technology must be prototyped and tested in a laboratory or in a simulated environment representative of real-world conditions (TRL 4). The applicant must demonstrate ownership, intellectual property rights (patent and prior art analysis), or have the necessary rights to commercialize the product/service (exclusive license).

Up to €2.5 million, covering 100% of direct costs + a 25% flat rate for indirect costs, to support the transition from a small-scale prototype tested in a simulated environment to a large-scale prototype tested in an operational setting.

Funds to be used over 24 months to demonstrate that the technology is effective for its intended application (TRL 5/6) and to validate an initial business model in preparation for further market development.

More than 50% of the grant is paid upfront.

Project submission according to the deadlines set each year by the Commission.

Typically two deadlines per year (Q1 and Q4).

Industrial research activities (research, development, prototyping) and experimental development (testing, intellectual property management, and certification) of new products, processes, or services with high potential market impact.

The technology must be at least at the proof-of-concept stage.

The EUREKA EUROSTARS program offers non-repayable funding to accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies by covering a portion of eligible project costs, including R&D, prototyping, testing, and validation activities.

The specific funding rates and conditions vary by country but typically support transnational partnerships involving at least two participants from different EUROSTARS countries. Typical grant ranges from 100 to 300 K€ per participant.

Project submission must follow the deadlines set each year by the Commission.

Typically, there are two deadlines per year (Q1 and Q4).