Eureka at 40: Europe’s Innovation Network Past, Present, and Future

With the Eurostars 3 Call 9 deadline fast approaching, we wanted to take a step back to appreciate the wider context of the EUREKA Network and its remarkable track record. Not to mention this is a big year for the Eureka Network as it marks its 40th anniversary.

Launched in 1985 as an intergovernmental network of 18 founding countries, EUREKA has grown to encompass 48 member economies. Operating outside the typical European Union framework, it unites national funding agencies to support collaborative R&D projects under their vision: innovation beyond borders. 

To mark this milestone year, this article will explore EUREKA’s origins, its wide-ranging programmes, the UK’s role, and what the future holds for one of the world’s largest and most dynamic R&D networks.

Founding and the Mission of Eureka (1985)

Eureka was founded in July 1985 – championed by the French President François Mitterrand and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl at the time. It was, in part, a response to rising technological competition from the US and Japan. The US Strategic Defense Initiative (nicknamed the “Star Wars” program) had created some heightened anxieties of a brain drain in Europe. Leaders envisioned Eureka as a way to assure the technological independence of Europe in key domains whilst keeping pace with fast moving global innovation.

Europe’s Response to a Technology Gap

Unlike the European Community’s nascent Framework Program (launched in 1984, now on its 7th iteration; FP7 more commonly known as Horizon Europe), Eureka was, and is, a decentralised, bottom-up initiative. The Paris Declaration of 17 July 1985 formally established Eureka among the original 18 countries (and the European Commission). 

Its core mission was fundamentally market-driven: “to raise the productivity and competitiveness of Europe’s industries (…) through closer cooperation among enterprises and research institutes in advanced technologies” (CORDIS, 2023) and remains the case. It still focuses, although not exclusively, on industry-led and near market R&D with a civilian purpose which distinguishes it from more academic/top-down programmes.

Bottom-up and Flexible 

Since its inception, Eureka’s philosophy emphasises minimal bureaucracy and maximum flexibility. Projects could be proposed in any technical area, defined by participants rather than preset topics. The exact eligibility criteria varies between projects and countries, but often projects have to have a clear path to a new product, process, or service rather than pure theory. Funding does not come from a central pot. Instead, each country finances its own participants, coordinated through a network of national agencies. This model continues today, as Eureka programmes remain agile and decentralised which really sets it apart from other funding programs in Europe.

Eureka Evolution and Impact Over Four Decades

What started as a strictly ‘Europe only’ club has now evolved into one of the world’s largest public networks for international R&D cooperation. Over the years, Eureka’s membership has grown to 48 countries as of time of writing in 2025 (EFSA, 2025). As mentioned earlier, many countries from outside of the EU have now joined, including;  Canada and South Korea in 2022, and Brazil in 2024. It provides companies of all sizes, universities, and research institutes with access to funding, business acceleration tools, and expert advice.

Looking at the numbers – projects and investment 

Let’s take a look at some of Eureka’s stats, since 1985, it has supported over 6,000 R&D projects, with an estimated €37 billion in public-private investment (NKFIH, 2022). Three years ago, approved 284 new collaborative projects involving organizations from 38 countries, leveraging €562 million in R&D investment. Critically, small companies benefit strongly – 459 SMEs received funding in that year through EUREKA programmes

Complementing Horizon Europe and other Framework Programmes

Eureka is governed by its member countries; it has always sought synergy with the EU’s initiatives. For example, the flagship SME funding scheme Eurostars became a joint undertaking with the European Commission (European Commission, 2024) co-funded first under Horizon 2020 and now Horizon Europe. In 2022, the Commission and Eureka launched the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs – Eurostars-3 and Innowwide. This has a €1 billion budget through 2027 (EU contributed €250 million, national agencies ~€750 million). 

EU officials have recognized that Eureka “adds extra value, filling gaps and providing a global dimension” (Eureka 2022) to Europe’s innovation ecosystem. In short, Eureka and Horizon Europe are partners: Eureka’s bottom-up, industry-led projects complement the EU’s larger-scale calls, and together they offer more opportunities for innovators. (As we’ll see, this collaboration is growing via new agreements on shared priorities.)

Key programmes and Instruments in Eureka

Eurostars

A joint EU-Eureka programme dedicated to R&D-performing SMEs, Eurostars provides funding for small businesses partnered across at least two member countries (Eureka, 2025). IEureka also remains  bottom-up (all technology domains  are eligible for funding) targeting high-impact innovation: the goal is to help SMEs commercialise new products and scale up internationally. 37 countries currently participate, and calls run twice a year in the spring and autumn with deadlines announced in the year. It has a 29% success rate marking it as one of the highest funded European calls, however it remains complex as the specific eligibility criteria varies drastically between countries. 

Clusters 

These Clusters are large, thematic public-private partnerships that bring together industry heavyweights, SMEs, universities and others to tackle pre-competitive R&D in strategic fields (EURKEA, 2025). Each Cluster is a long-term programme run by a board of corporations and agencies focusing on a specific tech domain (Science Business, 2025). Currently, five major Clusters are active: 

1. ICT & telecom (CELTIC-NEXT); 
2. Green energy & decarbonisation (EUROGIA); 
3. Software & digital innovation (ITEA); 
4. Advanced manufacturing (SMART); and 
5. Microelectronics (Xecs). 

Network Projects

This is Eureka’s original and most flexible instrument. Network Projects are bottom-up R&D projects between at least two member countries, open to any technological topic, with calls open all year – or specific calls organized by countries (Eureka, 2025). These projects tend to be 2–4 partners and shorter-term, ideal for quick cooperative efforts or bilateral collaborations. National funding bodies evaluate and fund their own participants, while Eureka provides a simple framework to get the project endorsed and off the ground.

Globalstars

Eureka launched Globalstars to facilitate calls with countries outside the pan-European network. GlobalStars is basically an extension of the Network Projects model – a participating group of Eureka countries agrees to open a joint call with one or more non-member countries (EURKEA, 2025). Each side funds its own domestic applicants. In recent years, Globalstars calls have connected members with economies like Japan, Singapore, India, and more. (In fact, a successful Globalstars collaboration with Singapore helped pave the way for Singapore to join Eureka as an associate country in 2021. (Perin, 2021)). 

Innowwide

Designed to help innovative SMEs and start-ups explore and prepare for entry into new international markets. It is co-funded by the European Union and provides a grant of €60,000 to fund six-month long market feasibility projects, enabling businesses to validate both the technical and commercial viability of their innovations with local partners in the target country (Eureka, 2025). Projects can cover activities such as market research, competitor analysis, user validation, and adapting technology for local conditions. 

Investment Readiness Scheme

Helps SMEs and start-ups bridge the gap between public R&D funding and private finance. This programme is also co-funded by the European Commission (Eureka, 2025). By selecting high-potential companies from across Eureka projects, it offers tailored coaching, pitch preparation, and direct matchmaking with venture capital firms, corporates, and international investors. Activities can include participation in themed investor events, 1-to-1 mentoring, and showcasing at major innovation conferences.

Fast Track to EIC Accelerator

The Fast Track to the EIC Accelerator is a direct pathway for successful Eureka project participants – particularly those from Eurostars or Cluster calls – to progress into the European Innovation Council’s flagship funding scheme for breakthrough innovations (Eureka, 2025). Eligible Companies can bypass the first stage of the EIC Accelerator application process, gaining quicker access to expert evaluation, pitch coaching, and the opportunity to apply for up to €2.5 million in grant funding (plus equity support). 

Success Stories and Impact of Eureka Projects

Transformative Technologies

GSM mobile standard is the foundation of modern cellular networks – the tech  originated from a Eureka project in the late 1980s (Dall, 2007). Building on that, Eureka Cluster projects contributed to developing 4G, 5G, and now 6G communication technologies (Eureka, 2025), helping European telecom firms stay at the cutting edge.

In the 1990s, Eureka-backed R&D also gave rise to the smartcard – the technology behind today’s chip-and-PIN payment cards and SIM cards. Projects have delivered breakthroughs in automotive software systems and contactless payment. Creative industries have benefited: advanced special effects software developed through a Eureka Cluster has helped elevate Europe’s position in the global film and media sector (ScienceBusiness, 2025).

Economic and SME Impact

Beyond high-profile tech, Eureka generates substantial economic value, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Participation in a Eureka project has been shown to boost a firm’s performance.

The programmes enable SMEs to combine expertise, share costs, and shorten time-to-market for new products. According to the network’s data, over 1,500 SMEs are funded through Eureka calls each year, receiving grants that help them innovate faster than they could alone. Importantly, Eureka often draws in first-time collaborators: more than one-third of SMEs in the Eurostars programme had never worked internationally before on average (Eureka, 2025).

Current Trends and Strategic Direction of Eureka

Aligning with the Green and Digital Agendas

As of the mid-2020s, Eureka has been pivoting to address broader societal challenges in line with European priorities. There is a clear focus on supporting the twin transitions – the Green Deal (sustainability) and the Digital Transformation. We see this in practice as many Eureka calls now encourage projects in green tech, climate action, AI, and digitalisation.

2025 priorities heavily feature deep-tech fields – e.g. quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), sustainable materials – reflecting an intent to keep Europe at the forefront of next-gen technologies. About 20% of current Eurostars projects involve AI, and another 20% target cleantech solutions (Eureka, 2025).

Internationalisation and Global Collaboration

Beyond the core membership expansions, Eureka is forging partnerships with other regions. Under the 2024 Chairmanship (held jointly by Canada and Germany), a key initiative was to develop a joint action plan with the EU to strengthen cooperation and possibly co-fund more global R&D efforts (ITEA, 2024).

This internationalisation serves a dual purpose: it opens new market opportunities for European SMEs and it brings complementary expertise into European-led projects. In an era where innovation is global but geopolitical tensions are rising, Eureka’s broad network is a strategic asset – it keeps doors open for “innovation diplomacy” even when other channels face obstacles.

Deepening SME Support and Ecosystem Approach

SMEs  remain the primary beneficiaries of Eureka, and the network is refining how it supports them. One trend is closer integration with other SME support initiatives. Eureka has partnered with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) to improve matchmaking, so that an SME looking for a particular expertise can more easily find a foreign partner. 

The Eureka Investment Readiness programme (launched around 2021) is connecting cohorts of promising startups with investors and corporates – for example, giving select SMEs passes to global tech conferences or arranging pitch sessions to venture capitalists.

Future Outlook: Eureka in 2025 and Beyond 

In 2025, Eureka celebrates its 40th anniversary, and with this milestone comes reflection and planning for the future. Switzerland holds the Eureka Chair in 2025–26, coinciding with this anniversary, and has outlined an ambitious agenda for the network’s next chapter. 

A major task underway is developing a 2026–2030 Strategic Roadmap for Eureka. This roadmap will set the direction on key questions: How will Eureka continue to serve SMEs and industry in a rapidly evolving tech scene? How can it further streamline its operations? And how will it deepen partnerships (with the European Commission, with other global initiatives, etc.)?

Geopolitics, Tech Sovereignty and Eureka’s Relevance

We’re now in a time of geopolitical tension, supply chain uncertainties, and rapid technological shifts (AI, biotech, etc.). These dynamics make Eureka’s mission more critical. European leaders have emphasised that no single country can tackle global challenges like climate change or AI ethics alone; cross-border collaboration is essential. At the same time, there’s a push for technological sovereignty – ensuring Europe maintains control over key technologies.

The 2022 Memorandum of Understanding with the European Commission also points to closer ties in shaping Europe’s innovation agenda – Eureka will likely feed its on-the-ground insights to help design FP10 (the next EU Framework Programme), ensuring that policies cater to agile, bottom-up innovation.

Sustainable Funding and Private Sector Involvement

Another aspect of the future is funding. Eureka itself has no central budget; it relies on national funds and EU co-contributions. With economic pressures and public budgets tightening in some countries, there could be challenges to secure continuous funding growth.

Expect more industry co-funding especially in Clusters (major firms pitching in funds or resources to projects) and possibly in new PPP-style initiatives. Eureka might also explore innovative financing, like blending grants with venture funding for scale-ups – which aligns with the EIC’s approach.

Conclusion – Leveraging Eureka for Your Innovation Success

For four decades, Eureka has been showing the world that international collaboration is one of the most powerful drivers of innovation. The bottom-up, market driven approach gives R&D focused teams the agility to act on their best ideas, secure funding from national agencies and connect with the right people.

For UK innovators, Eureka is a vital bridge into collaborative networks and complements the opportunities through Horizon Europe. Whether it’s testing a breakthrough in a new market through Innowwide or scaling up with Eurostars,  the network offers practical routes to commercial success.

In a time of fast-changing technologies and complex global challenges, the ability to work across borders is more valuable now more than never. We are looking forward to seeing how the network develops and ensures that transformative ideas don’t stay on the drawing board, but reach the markets and societies that need them most.