Eureka’s network is made up of ministries and funding agencies in 47 countries that support international research, development, and innovation, and the European Commission. It is the largest intergovernmental network of its kind. By connecting its network nodes, Eureka helps countries identify common research priorities, pool resources, and launch funding opportunities.
Each ministry and funding agency supports its own project participants in line with national rules and provides local guidance. Eureka optimises its programmes by drawing on the collective experience of its network in how to best support startups, small- and medium-sized enterprises, large companies, universities, research institutes, and end-users.
Network meetings
Eureka’s network gathers three times a year to discuss priorities in research, development, and innovation, and how to strengthen Eureka programmes. These meetings result in knowledge sharing and the design of new funding opportunities.
Strategic decisions, such as the inclusion of a new country or programme, are voted on by Eureka country High Level Representatives. In the event of a significant change to Eureka’s founding principles or structure, a ministerial conference is called.
European Commission
The European Commission is a founding member of Eureka’s network. As such, Eureka maintains a close collaborative relationship with its Directorate General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).
The European Commission funded the first and second iterations of Eureka’s Eurostars programme in 2008-2013 within the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and in 2014-2021 within Horizon 2020 in Article 185 co-decisions. In addition, within Horizon 2020, Eureka Network managed the Innowwide programme pilot and contributed to the InvestHorizon initiative. Evolving from these is the current European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, an initiative co-funded by 37 Eureka countries and the European Commission.
Eureka has a memorandum of understanding with the European Commission for connecting it with the New European Innovation Agenda and European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) to ensure the continued complementarity of programmes and funding streams.
Joining Eureka’s network
Joining Eureka’s network as a country represented by a ministry or funding agency
Eureka conducts strategic outreach to grow its network, prioritising countries and regions with effective research and development frameworks, and strong innovation ecosystems.
To ensure organisations receive the best funding and support through Eureka, countries in the network must have democratic governance and human rights protections, the resources to support membership and projects, strong legal frameworks (like intellectual property rights and non-proliferation controls), and be a member of the World Trade Organization.
Representatives from national or regional ministries and funding agencies in non-Eureka countries are encouraged to contact Eureka to discover more about launching a call for projects through its Globalstars programme or becoming a part of the Eureka network.