Questions and answers

Eureka is the world’s largest intergovernmental network for cross-border cooperation in research, technology, and innovation. Ministries and funding agencies from 47 countries and the European Commission work together in the Eureka network. Together, they support companies and scientific institutions in cross-border and market-oriented projects in all areas of technology. For this purpose, Eureka offers a wide range of programmes.

The Eureka network is based on the principle of variable geometry. This means that not all Eureka countries have to participate in Eureka’s programmes and calls for proposals. Instead, each country id free to decide whether and to what extent it will participate in new activities and what conditions will apply.

In principle, participation in Eureka projects is open to all organisations that want to promote research, technology and innovation in cross-border projects. Typically, these are companies of all sizes from all sectors, as well as scientific institutions such as universities and research institutes.

At least two partners must be involved in a Eureka project. These must come from at least two different Eureka countries and be economically independent of each other.

Eureka follows the principle of decentralized project management and funding. This means that all project partners receive funding for their participation in a cross-border Eureka project from their respective national funding bodies. Therefore, the funding conditions of the programme through which you receive funding for your work in a Eureka project always apply. In Germany, there is no dedicated funding programme for Eureka projects. Depending on the specific case, the funding conditions of a programme or call for proposals at the federal, state, or regional level may apply.

Tip: For more information, take a look at the answer to the question “How do I finance my participation in a Eureka project?”

As a general rule, Eureka does not have a centralised budget for financing projects. Instead, the respective national funding bodies (e.g. ministries, funding agencies, etc.) provide funding on a decentralised basis. This means that in a Eureka project, the project partners always receive their funding from their respective countries.

For German institutions, fixed funding is available for many Eureka calls for proposals, e.g. from the BMFTR or the BMWE. If your project application is successful, you will receive funding from the relevant funding body in accordance with its respective funding rules.

Sometimes, no fixed funding is available for a Eureka call for proposals in Germany. In such cases, there are alternative ways to finance participation in a Eureka project. German institutions are generally eligible for all federal and state calls for proposals and funding programs, which they can use to participate in a cross-border Eureka project. Examples include the ZIM and KMU innovativ funding programmes or thematic calls for proposals. Participation in Eureka projects is also possible without public funding. In this case, it can be self-financed from own or other private funds.

The Eureka office advises applicants on the appropriate sources of funding – please feel free to contact us!

For Eureka projects, you must consider access and participation rules at two levels: international and national.

At the international level, the general criteria for Eureka projects must be met. These are very simple and include:

• At least two partners from at least two countries must be involved in a Eureka project.
• The cross-border project must be market-oriented and serve civilian purposes.
• “70/30 rule”: Cross-border cooperation should be balanced. Project participants from the same country may therefore not account for more than 70 per cent of the total project costs. 

In a Eureka project, the participating project partners always receive their funding from the national level. Therefore, the access and participation rules of the funding body from which they receive funding for their work in a Eureka project always apply. In Germany, there is currently no uniform funding programme for Eureka projects. Depending on the specific case, the access and participation rules of a programme or call for proposals at the federal, state, or regional level may therefore apply.

Tip: For more information, take a look at the answer to the question “How do I finance participation in a Eureka project?”

At least two partners must be involved in a Eureka project. These must come from at least two different Eureka countries and be economically independent of each other. Beyond that, there are no mandatory formal requirements for cross-border cooperation on the part of the Eureka network. The exact number of partners can be determined by the participants in a Eureka project themselves. However, certain requirements may arise from the national funding you are seeking. (see also “What access and participation rules do I need to observe?”)

In a Eureka project, cross-border cooperation between the participating partners should be as balanced and equal as possible. To ensure this, the distribution of costs in a Eureka project must comply with the so-called “70/30 rule”. This rule states that project participants from the same country may not claim more than 70 percent of the total project costs.

The application process for Eureka projects can vary depending on the programme and call for proposals. Therefore, always find out which applications and documents you need to submit in each specific case.

The basic principle is that there are two levels of application: the international level and the national level. At the international level, you and your project partners submit a joint project proposal via the Eureka network’s online submission platform. This project proposal forms the basis for your Eureka project in terms of content. However, it does not automatically constitute an application for funding. This is done at the national level. The specific requirements for German applicants are therefore based on the guidelines of the respective funding programme or the respective funding announcement from which the public funds are provided.

Yes, participation in a Eureka call for proposals is also possible if no funding body from Germany has provided specific funding for it. In this case, there are alternative financing options:

• German institutions are generally eligible for all national and regional calls for proposals and funding programmes, which they can use to participate in a cross-border Eureka project. Examples include the ZIM and KMU innovativ funding programmes or thematic calls for proposals.
• Participation in Eureka projects is also possible without public funding. In this case, it can be self-financed from own or other private funds.

Yes, German institutions can participate in Eureka projects (Network Projects, Eurostars, Eureka Clusters, Globalstars) even without public funding. You can then self-finance your work on the project from your own or other private funds. You must confirm this with an informal self-financing declaration.

You can find all current calls for proposals with detailed information on the respective application process on the international website of the Eureka network. The most important calls for proposals with information on funding and financing in Germany can be found on our website on calls.

German institutions can find comprehensive information on our German Eurostars website. You will also find contact persons who will be happy to advise you. Moreover, the international website of the Eureka networks includes comprehensive information on Eurostars calls.

The best sources are the websites of the individual Eureka Clusters. There you will find all the information about current calls for proposals and events (e.g. brokerage events, project outline preparation days).

Tip: If you would like to participate in a Eureka Cluster call for proposals, always find out in advance what funding options are available to German institutions (e.g. fixed public funding, alternative sources of funding).