The Eureka program is now recognized as the world’s largest network dedicated to industrial research and development (R&D) cooperation. Created in 1985 by several European countries, its initial objective was clear: to stimulate technological innovation by promoting market-oriented collaborative projects. Unlike purely academic programs, Eureka was built on an entrepreneurial logic, where companies—particularly SMEs—play a central role in the design and implementation of projects.
Over the decades, Eureka has evolved into an intergovernmental network bringing together more than 45 member and associated countries. This unique structure is based on a fundamental principle: voluntary cooperation between states to support transnational projects with strong commercial potential. Each country retains autonomy in funding but commits to harmonizing processes to facilitate international collaboration. This flexibility is one of the program’s strengths, allowing support mechanisms to adapt to local economic and industrial realities.
Eureka projects stand out for their market orientation and collaborative nature. To be eligible, a project must involve at least two partners from two different member countries and aim to develop an innovative product, process, or service that can be commercialized in the short or medium term.
Canada joined the Eureka network in 2012 as an associate member before becoming a full member in June 2022. This evolution reflects a strong commitment to international R&D cooperation and opens new opportunities for Canadian businesses. Through this membership, the country actively participates in defining the program’s strategic directions and offers its industrial players privileged access to global co-innovation opportunities.
Since joining Eureka, Canada has supported more than 350 participants, in partnership with nearly 600 international organizations across 35 countries, for a total estimated volume of CAD 1.1 billion. This dynamic illustrates the program’s ability to generate transnational collaborations and strengthen the technological competitiveness of Canadian companies. Canada’s influence was further reinforced in 2024 when it assumed, alongside Germany, the co-presidency of Eureka—a first for a non-European country. This strategic responsibility demonstrates Canada’s growing role in global innovation governance.
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC), through its Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), acts as the national office for Eureka. It serves as the official contact point for Canadian companies wishing to engage in international collaborative projects. Its role is crucial: supporting innovators—SMEs, large companies, universities, or research centers—in creating transnational consortia, defining competitive value propositions, and accessing funding mechanisms available in Canada and abroad. Beyond administrative support, NRC IRAP provides strategic guidance, fosters networking, and ensures projects align with national technological priorities.
The program is structured around several instruments, including individual projects, Globalstars (targeted calls with non-member countries), and, most notably, Eureka Clusters—thematic initiatives bringing together stakeholders around strategic sectors such as energy, digital technologies, telecommunications, or mobility. These clusters, such as Eurogia2030 for low-carbon technologies or ITEA for software systems, help structure international ecosystems and accelerate the market deployment of innovations.
The 30th Eurogia2030 call was officially announced in late December 2025, with a submission deadline set for April 30, 2026. This new cycle falls under the Eureka cluster dedicated to low-carbon technologies, addressing a dual challenge: accelerating the global energy transition and fostering the development of impactful innovative solutions.
Projects must be collaborative and transnational, involving at least two companies from different countries. They must aim to create a product, process, service, or industrial standard that significantly contributes to decarbonization while presenting real technological risk. Accepted themes cover a wide range: renewable energies (solar, wind, bioenergy, hydrogen, fuel cells), storage technologies, smart grids, electric mobility, as well as digital tools for energy efficiency and infrastructure management.
In Canada, funding is provided through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), which is reserved for SMEs and subject to all program rules, including a maximum contribution cap of 50% per project. To be eligible, a Canadian company must:
Large companies, universities, and research centers may also participate but must self-finance or act as subcontractors.
ABGI has supported numerous large-scale collaborative projects funded under the Eureka program, particularly in the energy and low-carbon technologies sectors. These projects illustrate the diversity of innovative solutions supported and the strategic impact of international cooperation. Among them:
For each of these projects, our team has managed the key strategic levers: clearly defining technological and commercial ambitions, structuring the international partnership, ensuring alignment with cluster and national funding requirements, and building a strong impact narrative around decarbonization, industrial integration, and market traction.
Our approach aims to maximize the chances of labeling and securing funding while minimizing the operational burden on partner teams, thereby accelerating the market deployment of innovative solutions developed under the Eureka and Eurogia programs.
