Eurostars is a funding instrument designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and their partners—large companies, universities, research organizations, and other entities—in carrying out international collaborative research, development, and innovation projects. Through their participation, organizations gain access to public funding for international projects in various fields of research and development. The National Innovation Fund (NIF) acts as the state aid administrator in its capacity as the national funding institution.

Application Procedure under Eurostars-3

The application process under the Eurostars-3 joint programme is carried out in two steps:

Step 1: Application to the EUREKA Secretariat.
Information regarding the application conditions is published on the official website of the initiative:
https://www.eurekanetwork.org/

The list of ranked projects is approved by the EUREKA High-Level Group and submitted to the NIF.

Step 2: The NIF launches a national call for submission of full project documentation by the ranked projects with Bulgarian participation.

Application to NIF

Application method:
Electronic submission under the European Partnership for Innovative SMEs / Eurostars-3 – Call 9 via the Information System for Management and Monitoring of EU Funds (ISUN):
https://umis2020.government.bg/

Funding Conditions

• Maximum grant amount: up to the BGN equivalent of EUR 100,000 per approved Bulgarian participant
• Project duration: up to 36 months
• Within two years after successful project completion, the final result (product, process, or service) must be protected as industrial property, implemented in practice (production), and commercialised

Reporting Periods

Each beneficiary determines its own reporting periods, which must be between 3 and 6 months.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

• enterprises (legal entities or traders) registered in Bulgaria under the Commercial Act or equivalent legislation of an EU Member State
• research and knowledge dissemination organisations

Aid Intensity

• Maximum aid intensity: up to 80% of eligible costs

Aid intensity, calculated on the basis of eligible project costs, shall not exceed:

For micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and research organisations:

• 50% for industrial research
• 25% for experimental development

For large enterprises:

• 40% for industrial research
• 20% for experimental development

Aid intensities for industrial research and experimental development may be increased up to 80% of eligible costs, subject to the conditions set out in Article 23 of the updated Rules for the Management of the National Innovation Fund (PUSNIF – 2026).

Evaluation of Project Proposals

The evaluation process includes:

• administrative compliance and eligibility assessment