The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN) is supporting Eurostars, a funding programme aimed at stimulating development in new products, processes and services by SMEs.
Eureka and the European Commission lead the Eurostars programme.
The funding, with a project limit of EUR350,000 (GBP312,044), is open to emerging technology SMEs with partnerships across two Eurostars-participating countries and a commitment to research and development.
European SMEs act as a source of renewal and a driving force for the development of new business initiatives and are expected to be the key to future job and wealth creation across Europe.
The Eurostars programme aims to support SMEs working within the technology market to ensure European industry continues to grow and meet the demands of society and the economy.
The Technology Strategy Board invested nearly GBP4m into the Eurostars scheme through projects in the Eurostars 2008 call, so 18 small- and medium-sized British companies could benefit from investment, enabling them to carry out research and development in important areas.
This funding will link British companies with partners across Europe and will ensure work is carried out in areas including healthcare, transport, energy and electronics, many of which can utilise embedded nanotechnologies to realise competitive advantages.
By launching this funding, the Eureka secretariat and the European Commission aim to ensure a wide range of applications continue to be developed and as a result hope to secure benefits for European citizens, industry and governments.
The Eurostars programme addresses a niche market of research and innovation-performing businesses that have at least 10 per cent of their turnover or staff dedicated to research and development.
To apply, a business must be defined as an SME, with a partnership spanning across at least two Eurostars participating countries.
The consortium should be well balanced, with no participant or country expected to invest more than 75 per cent of the project's total cost.
To be considered an SME-focused project, at least 50 per cent of the core activity should be carried out by SMEs and must be defined as a market-driven project with a maximum duration of three years.
Eurostars is a continuous project always open for proposal submissions, with reviews carried out once a quarter.
The next closing date for applications is 25 February 2010.
