Vancouver, BC – written October 10, 2024 – Finding ways to expand your company’s research and development (R&D) efforts can be challenging, but with the right support, businesses and innovators can unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. Eureka, now co-chaired by Germany and Canada, provides access to public funding through the relevant ministry or funding agency in each participating country, ensuring that R&D projects have the financial backing they need.
Beyond funding, Eureka facilitates international collaboration by helping organizations find partners, build ideal project consortia, and select the best programs for their needs. As companies explore new markets, Eureka offers tools and expert advice to guide their expansion. With personalized support from Eureka contacts in each country, participants receive tailored guidance from the development of their project ideas all the way through to commercial success.
Canadian organizations looking to participate in international R&D projects can access a range of funding opportunities through Eureka’s various programs, including Network projects, Globalstars, Eurostars, and Clusters. These programs are designed to foster international partnerships, allowing Canadian innovators to collaborate with counterparts around the world.
EUREKA Program Funding Links
Globalstars: https://eurekanetwork.org/programmes/globalstars/
Eurostars: https://eurekanetwork.org/programmes/eurostars/
Clusters: https://eurekanetwork.org/programmes/clusters/
EUREKA and the National Research Council of Canada
For those based in Canada, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) serves as the primary point of contact. The NRC plays a vital role in supporting Canadian organizations interested in global collaboration, offering access to specialized expertise and resources to help drive their growth. By working closely with the NRC, Canadian businesses can navigate the complexities of international R&D projects and leverage the support they need to succeed on a global stage.
“Cooperation between Canada and Germany in research and innovation is exceptionally close and well-established. The Eureka co-chair 2024-2025 is yet another milestone of our partnership. Together, we have the opportunity to strengthen innovation and technology transfer across borders and continents. This is imperative to address the many challenges of our time and to navigate towards a successful future.”
– Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research, Germany
Canada, in collaboration with its German partner, will help set the strategic direction for Eureka and continue to support efforts to enhance cooperation across the network. This will bring together innovators from Eureka countries to work together on market-driven industrial R&D. Innovators and partners from across the Eureka network will also have the opportunity to visit Canada and experience our vibrant innovation ecosystem.
Canada’s membership in Eureka offers innovators predictable and accessible co-innovation opportunities. Participation in Eureka network projects has become a key driver of growth for Canadian companies, providing them with the expertise and resources necessary to expand and enter new markets.
Building on its European roots, Eureka has evolved into a global platform for cooperation in technology development and application. The role of co-chair provides an opportunity to further deepen collaboration between international partners and to strengthen social and economic competitiveness and security.
Since joining Eureka in 2012, Canada has made significant contributions to the network, supporting over 300 participants in R&D projects valued at CAD 800 million. These projects have engaged more than 600 partners from 35 countries, showcasing the collaborative spirit that defines the Eureka initiative. The NRC plays a crucial role as Canada’s national office for Eureka, providing Canadian businesses, researchers, and academics with a first point of contact and access to this expansive global network. Through the NRC’s support, Canadian organizations can tap into Eureka’s resources, build international partnerships, and contribute to innovative solutions that address global challenges.
Help Evaluate Cutting-edge Technologies not yet on the Market
How to apply
To apply, create an account on Eureka’s expert portal and fill in information on your professional experience and educational background. In case your profile is selected, you will be contacted by the Eureka Secretariat.
The Research and Innovation Summit 2025
Next year’s Summit will bring together industry, politics, and science in an unprecedented way. Organized by the Stifterverband (Association for the Promotion of German Science), the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, and the Expert Commission for Research and Innovation (EFI), and funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, the Research and Innovation Summit will be held in cooperation with HANNOVER MESSE. This unique partnership combines the world’s leading trade fair for industry with Germany’s premier forum for networking in research and innovation policy, creating stronger ties between these critical sectors.
The event aims to signal Germany’s entry into a new era, advancing its position as a global innovation hub. Leading companies from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, digital industries, and the energy sector will present cutting-edge products and solutions, particularly those harnessing artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and product quality, at this foremost platform for technologies driving industrial transformation.
Gipfel für Forschung und Innovation 2024 (Summit for Research & Innovation)
Research and innovation are the driving forces behind future value creation and the key to addressing pressing global challenges. However, in critical future technologies—such as artificial intelligence—there remains significant catch-up potential in Germany and Europe. What skills, catalysts, and collaborations between business and academia are needed to achieve this? How can policymakers regulate and promote innovation in a supportive way? Where do Germany and Europe stand in the international AI competition, and what strategies exist to remain competitive in the development of future technologies? These questions were the focus of the 2024 summit.
For its tenth anniversary, the organizers made a bold change in location: the 2024 Research and Innovation Summit was held for the first time in cooperation with HANNOVER MESSE. This unique combination with the world’s leading industrial trade fair and Germany’s foremost forum for research and innovation policy created even closer ties between industry, politics, and academia. It sent a widely perceptible signal for the renewal and acceleration of Germany’s position as an innovation hub.
Eureka: A Global Hub for R&D Collaboration
Eureka stands as the world’s largest public network for international cooperation in research and development, uniting more than 45 countries from Europe and beyond. Its primary mission is to facilitate market-oriented, industry-led R&D collaboration projects that transcend borders. By bringing together small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, research centers, universities, and other innovators, Eureka aims to foster cutting-edge research and commercial innovation through global partnerships.
From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, Canada will take on a prominent role within the Eureka network as a co-chair alongside Germany. This leadership position underscores Canada’s commitment to international R&D cooperation and highlights the strong partnership between the two countries. Canada’s participation as Eureka co-chair will be spearheaded by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), while Germany’s role will be led by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Together, they will guide the strategic direction of Eureka, fostering collaboration and supporting innovation among participating countries.
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