The MIUR has confirmed its participation in Cut-off Date 8 of the Eurostars 2 programme, with an allocation of 700,000 euros.

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 14 September. The MIUR states that this date is the final deadline for submitting both the international proposal to the Eurostars programme and the national forms, which must be sent to the MIUR via the dedicated online platform.

Information on the Eurostars 2 Programme
Eurostars 2 is the continuation of the programme of the same name launched at the beginning of the 7th Framework Programme and is also based on Article 185 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The general objectives of Eurostars-2 are as follows:

• to promote market-oriented transnational research activities, in all sectors, by research-performing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those with no prior experience in transnational research, which have led to the market introduction of new or improved products, processes and services;
• to contribute to the realisation of the European Research Area (ERA) and to improve the accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness of public funding for SMEs in Europe by aligning, harmonising and synchronising national funding mechanisms.

Like its predecessor, Eurostars 2 is managed by the EUREKA Secretariat.
To date, 27 EUREKA member countries, including Italy, have joined the programme, making their own human and financial resources available. These countries have also committed to providing the financial resources necessary to fund joint R&D projects.
The Eurostars 2 programme is characterised by a bottom-up approach; therefore, there are no preferred or excluded thematic areas, with the exception of military applications.

Main characteristics of a Eurostars project: it must be an innovative R&D project aimed at the development of a product, process or service intended for the market; it must be conducted in collaboration between at least two entities of different nationalities; the project coordinator must be an innovative SME; and at least half of the project costs must be incurred by innovative SMEs.
The European Commission has made a total contribution of 287 million euros available to Eurostars 2 for 7 years (2014-2020), which must be matched by a financial commitment from the Member States equal to at least three times this amount. The Eurostars call for proposals has two annual deadlines (Cut-off Dates - CoD).

Useful links for online application submission:

National application:
Registration platform available at the link: http://banditransnazionali-miur.cineca.it
National eligibility criteria and funding procedures: http://www.ricercainternazionale.miur.it/media/25083/eurostars_2_national_funding_information.pdf

International application:
Registration platform available at the link: https://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/apply-funding
International eligibility criteria and guidelines: https://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/sites/default/files/Eurostars_Eligibility_Guidelines_v4.0-January2017.pdf
For further information on the Eurostars Programme, please consult the dedicated page on the Ministry's website: http://www.ricercainternazionale.miur.it/era/art-185-del-trattato-dell-unione-europea/eurostars.aspx