Overall Description

The call supports international, application-oriented R&D projects developing lightweight products, materials, manufacturing processes and circular-design solutions. It responds to resource scarcity, rising energy costs and the transition toward climate-neutral and circular production.

Projects should demonstrate advanced materials, innovative design approaches and digital technologies that combine lightweight construction with resource efficiency, reuse and recycling. All sectors requiring lightweight technologies are eligible.

Funding Amount

Funding is provided separately by national authorities. Published national conditions include:

• Austria: National budget of €2 million; €100,000–€750,000 per Austrian submission; funding rates up to 55%–80% for companies and 85% for research organisations.
• Belgium – Flanders: 25%–70% of eligible costs; support generally between €25,000/€100,000 and €500,000, depending on project type.
• Belgium – Wallonia: 40%–60% for experimental development and 65%–80% for industrial research.
• Estonia: National budget of €1 million; maximum €500,000 per project; up to 40%–80%, depending on company size and activity.
• Germany: Funding through ZIM or another suitable national programme. ZIM international cooperation rates generally range from 40%–60% for companies; research organisations may receive up to 100%.
• Lithuania: National budget of €1 million; maximum €300,000 per project; companies up to 60%–80% and research organisations up to 100%.
• Poland: PLN 10 million shared across relevant Eureka calls; up to PLN 1 million for one Polish SME or PLN 2 million for a Polish consortium.
• Slovakia: Maximum €150,000 per project; up to 65%–80% for companies and 100% for research organisations.
• Spain: Minimum eligible company budget of €175,000; financing up to 85%.
• South Africa: Maximum €150,000 per project and up to 50% of eligible costs.
• South Korea: Up to KRW 500 million per year for a maximum of three years.
• Türkiye: National budget of €2.5 million; maximum €500,000 per project; SMEs up to 75%, large companies up to 60% and research organisations up to 100%.

Submission Deadlines

• Call opening: 6 May 2026.
• Eureka application deadline: 8 October 2026 at 17:00 CEST.
• Eureka label and funding decisions: December 2026–April 2027.
• Expected project starts: February–June 2027.

Separate national application deadlines may apply. Selected national deadlines include:

• Austria: 12 October 2026 at 12:00 CEST.
• South Korea: 12 October 2026 at 16:00 KST.
• Spain: 15 October 2026.
• Belgium – Flanders: 22 October 2026 at 12:00 CET.
• Belgium – Wallonia: Same deadline as the Eureka application.

Submission Conditions

• The consortium must contain at least two independent legal entities from at least two participating countries.
• The project must develop an innovative product, process or service with commercialisation potential.
• Projects must have a civilian purpose.
• All partners must benefit from the project and make substantive contributions.
• International cooperation must provide clear technological or commercial added value.
• No single organisation or country may account for more than 70% of the total project budget.
• Maximum project duration: 36 months.
• One joint application per consortium must be submitted in English through the Eureka SmartSimple portal.
• The application must include:
  • Completed consortium application form.
  • Individual partner forms.
  • Gantt chart.
  • Signed co-signature form.
  • Any required national annexes.
• Separate national applications must be submitted where required.
• A Eureka label does not automatically guarantee national funding.
• A signed consortium agreement covering intellectual property and exploitation rights is required before project commencement.
• Projects must comply with the national eligibility, financial-capacity and State aid rules of each participating country.

Eligible Types of Businesses and Organisations

Subject to national rules, eligible applicants include:

• Start-ups.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Mid-cap companies.
• Large companies.
• Universities and higher-education institutions.
• Public and private research organisations.
• Technology centres and research institutes.
• Other legal entities with relevant lightweighting expertise.

Some countries require company-led projects or the participation of a national SME. Universities and research organisations may be restricted to consortium-partner or subcontractor roles under certain national programmes.

Eligible Countries

• Austria
• Belgium – Flanders
• Belgium – Wallonia
• Estonia
• Germany
• Lithuania
• Poland
• Slovakia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• Türkiye

Organisations from other countries may participate if they secure public or self-funding by the call deadline, but at least two partners must come from countries formally participating in the call.