What is EUREKA?
EUREKA is an international cooperation platform established to support the research and development of advanced technologies, products, and services aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of industrial and research institutions across European countries. It encourages the creation and execution of joint projects among countries.
EUREKA was founded in 1985 by 18 European countries, including Türkiye, along with the European Commission. Over time, with the increasing impact and functionality of the EUREKA network, the number of member countries has grown to 48, including non-European countries such as Canada, South Korea, South Africa, Singapore, and Brazil.
What are EUREKA Instruments?
EUREKA offers various instruments tailored to different needs:
EUREKA Network Projects
Eurostars and Innowwide (under the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs)
EUREKA Clusters
EUREKA Complementary Activities
Project proposals submitted under any of these instruments may be funded through national funding mechanisms if deemed eligible. One of the main features of this platform, which enables international collaboration through national rules, is the use of bottom-up (non-thematic) calls.
Only under the Eurostars programme, countries may receive a reimbursement of up to 25% of the project budget from the European Commission for successfully completed projects.
Within the scope of the EUREKA programme, Turkish industrial organizations can participate in international R&D and innovation collaborations. Projects carried out under the EUREKA network and cluster instruments are supported through TÜBİTAK’s TEYDEB 1509 – International Industrial R&D Projects Support Programme, while Eurostars projects are funded under the 1709 Support Programme. Participating large-scale companies may receive grant support of up to 60%, while SMEs can receive up to 75%.
1. EUREKA Network Projects
EUREKA Network Projects are international cooperation instruments that support market-oriented, innovative R&D projects using national funding. Under this programme, at least one organization from Türkiye must collaborate with at least one partner from among the approximately 50 EUREKA member countries to form a consortium and apply.
There are no thematic restrictions, and applications can be submitted from a wide range of sectors. Network Projects can be submitted through various types of calls:
Open Calls (bottom-up): Calls that remain open year-round without a set deadline, allowing proposals across any thematic area.
Thematic Calls: Time-limited calls focusing on specific themes (e.g., applied quantum technologies, lightweighting, disaster resilience).
Region-Focused Calls: Bilateral or regional calls between specific countries (e.g., Türkiye–Spain, Western Balkans), generally time-limited.
Applications are evaluated by each country’s national funding authority, and projects approved by all participating countries are supported by their respective national funds.
For current open calls, visit:
https://eurekanetwork.org/opencalls
2. Eurostars
Eurostars is a dedicated support programme under EUREKA, co-funded by the European Commission and participating countries, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of European SMEs. It supports international R&D projects led by R&D-performing SMEs and is open to all technology areas and sectors.
Applications must be submitted directly to the EUREKA Secretariat via www.eurostars-eureka.eu, with two cut-off dates per year.
Innovative SMEs can act as the main applicant (project coordinator). Under national rules, large enterprises, universities, and research institutions may also participate. Within the 2021–2027 Eurostars-3 framework, TÜBİTAK supports Turkish entities (capital companies, higher education institutions, public research centers and institutes, research hospitals, and entities under Law No. 6550) via TEYDEB 1709.
Eurostars projects must meet the following criteria:
The main applicant must be an innovative SME from a Eurostars participating country.
The SME must comply with the EU SME definition.
At least 50% of the project activities and budget must be carried out by the SME(s).
No single partner or country may contribute more than 70% of the total project costs.
Projects must be completed within 36 months.
The resulting product or process must be market-ready within two years after project completion.
3. EUREKA Clusters
EUREKA Clusters are industry-led initiatives aimed at supporting long-term, strategic projects that contribute to Europe’s competitiveness by developing key enabling technologies. They serve as accelerators for industrial innovation and economic growth, meeting the needs of both SMEs and large enterprises.
Clusters support market-oriented, innovation-driven projects within specific technology domains. With strong involvement from industry in their governance, Clusters are effective mechanisms for bringing scientific advances to the market.
As of 2021, the Clusters have adopted a restructured format based on a Multi-Annual Plan (MAP) and Annual Operating Plan (AOP), consolidating public authority and industry priorities. The five active Clusters as of 2022 are:
ITEA
Celtic-Next
Xecs
SMART
Eurogia
Projects may involve a one- or two-stage application process. Projects that receive a positive international evaluation are awarded a "label" and invited to submit a national application. It is important to note that a label does not guarantee funding. Türkiye invites only label-awarded projects to apply for national funding through the 1509 Programme.
Turkish companies are not only active in project submissions but also in Cluster management. For instance, Turkish representatives currently serve as the Chair of ITEA4, Vice-Chair of Celtic-Next, and Director General of Eurogia2030. Many Turkish firms also sit on Cluster Boards.
4. Complementary EUREKA Activities
4.1. Innowwide
The European Partnership on Innovative SMEs / Innowwide is a European Commission-funded programme supporting international market feasibility projects of innovative SMEs. It is open to all technology domains and sectors.
Successful projects are awarded a €60,000 grant. Calls are announced on:
https://eurekanetwork.org/programmes/innowwide/
Applicants are expected to select a target country or region and establish a partnership with a local stakeholder. Projects should last no longer than six months and aim to conduct market feasibility studies or preparatory work with local experts.
Funding is provided by the EU and is available only to SMEs from EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries (including Türkiye, Iceland, Israel, Norway, and the UK) that collaborate with a partner from Africa, the Americas, Asia, or the Pacific. Partners from the target countries may participate as subcontractors. A commitment letter must be signed prior to application.
Applications are submitted via the SmartSimple platform:
https://eureka.smartsimple.ie/
Applicants must review all guidance documents and templates available at:
https://eurekanetwork.org/programmes/innowwide/
4.2. Globalstars
Globalstars is an instrument enabling collaboration with non-EUREKA countries. It facilitates the launch of bilateral or multilateral calls—sometimes thematically focused—based on the interests of EUREKA members.
Target countries are selected based on insights from the Global Collaboration Survey. For example, following two successful Globalstars calls with Singapore and subsequent strong interest, Singapore applied for and was accepted as an Associate Country of EUREKA. Thus, Globalstars serves as a tool supporting EUREKA’s strategic objective of global outreach.
4.3. Investment Readiness Programme (IRP)
The Joint Investment Readiness Programme (JIRP), piloted between 2019–2021 with 13 EUREKA countries and co-funded by the European Commission, laid the foundation for EUREKA’s now standalone Investment Readiness Programme (IRP).
This programme aims to increase the investment readiness and growth of innovative SMEs and start-ups. It offers acceleration services (non-financial) in target countries.
The programme includes two core activities:
International Missions: Offer SMEs/start-ups global insights, connections to non-EU investors, and exposure to international innovation ecosystems and market opportunities. For example, participation in events like Singapore’s SWITCH is supported.
Corporate Activities: Help start-ups learn how to engage with large multinational corporations, explore partnership and investment opportunities, and co-develop solutions for specific challenges. Turkish corporations such as Turkish Airlines and Eksim Ventures are among those organizing online events and sessions for start-ups.
Event and session announcements can be found at: