About the EUopSTART Grant

EUopSTART is a Danish grant to cover consultancy fees for grant writing (incl. Eurostars). Danish coordinators and partners can apply, including SMEs, Academia en Research Institutes, which makes it usable for consortium building.

If you coordinate a proposal with >3 partners (HEU, EICP/EICT etc.), you can apply for 100,000 DKK of which 70% can be used for external consultants (~ 9.333 EUR). For Eurostars with 1-3 partners or mono-beneficiary it’s 75k (~7K with current exchange rate). The application process requires only a one-page document with a summary of the project. Catalyze can support with the application

EUopSTART deadlines

The EUopstart Deadlines for 2025 are announced:

• Tuesday, 25 February 2025, 12:00PM (noon) CET
• May 2025: Exact date to be announced.
• September 2025: Exact date to be announced

Funding Details:

• Programs with <3 partners:

• • Grant amount: 7000 EUR. (75,000 DKK, with 70% available for external consultants)
  • Applicable for:

• • • Eurostars < 3 partners
    • ERC (European Research Council).
    • Full stage of the EIC Accelerator (not applicable to the short stage).

• Programs >3 partners

• • Grant amount: 9333 EUR (100,000 DKK, with 70% available for external consultants)
  • Applicable for:

• • • Eurostars >3 partners
    • Horizon Europe (RIA/IA).
    • EIC Pathfinder.
    • EIC Transition.
    • MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions)

What costs can be funded through EUopSTART Grants?

EUopSTART provides funding to support expenses associated with preparing your application for Horizon Europe, including those involving partnerships and missions.

Eligible costs must be essential, reasonable, and directly connected to creating the Horizon Europe application. These grants cover 50% of expenses incurred within the specified grant period, which begins when you submit your EUopSTART application and ends with the Horizon Europe application deadline.

Expenses must fall into one of the following categories:

• Salaries
• Travel
• Consultancy Services

It’s important to note that you can only apply for an EUopSTART grant once the final work programme (or call deadline for calls without a work programme) has been published. Alternatively, you may apply when the EU releases a draft work programme on the Funding & Tenders portal, provided the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science has opened applications.

How much funding can you Request?

Applicants may seek grants of either DKK 75,000 or DKK 100,000, depending on their role in the EU application process and the specific Horizon Europe sub-programme they plan to target. Detailed information is available in the EUopSTART call text and accompanying terms and conditions. EUopSTART grants cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, meaning applicants are required to co-finance the remaining 50%.

Please note that the portion of funding allocated to consultancy services cannot exceed 70% of the total grant provided under the EUopSTART programme.

Who is eligible to apply for EUopSTART grants?

Grants are available to Danish companies and research organizations, supporting up to 50% of the costs incurred in preparing applications for Horizon Europe programmes.

Additional Information:

Detailed terms and conditions are available here.