€60,000 for UK Startups and SMEs Expanding Internationally – Innowwide Call 5

The Innowwide Programme is offering €60,000 in grant funding to help innovative startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) explore new international markets.

Delivered by the Eureka Network and co-funded through the European Union's Horizon Europe programme, Innowwide supports businesses assessing whether their innovative products, services or technologies could succeed in markets outside Europe.

The fifth funding round has a total budget of €4.2 million, supporting up to 70 international market feasibility projects.

UK-registered businesses are eligible to apply.

Applications are currently open and close on 1 December 2026 at 1:00pm UK time.

Here's what you can expect:

• €60,000 in grant funding per successful project

• Up to 70% of eligible project costs covered

• A total funding budget of €4.2 million

• Funding for six-month international market feasibility projects

• Support for innovative startups and SMEs

• Opportunities to explore markets in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania

• Funding for technical and commercial feasibility studies

• Support for international research and business development

• Opportunities to establish partnerships with organisations in target markets

• Funding for personnel, subcontracting and eligible travel expenses

What projects can be funded?

Innowwide supports businesses exploring the feasibility of introducing innovative products, processes or services into new international markets.

1. International Market Research

Projects investigating commercial opportunities in a target country.

Examples include:

• Assessing customer demand

• Researching competitors

• Understanding market conditions

• Identifying potential customers

• Evaluating market-entry opportunities

2. Technical Feasibility Studies

Projects assessing whether an innovative solution can operate successfully in a new market.

Examples include:

• Testing technical compatibility

• Evaluating local infrastructure requirements

• Assessing product adaptations

• Investigating technical barriers

• Validating potential applications

3. International Business Development

Projects exploring how an innovation could be commercialised internationally.

Examples include:

• Developing market-entry strategies

• Assessing business models

• Identifying commercial partnerships

• Investigating distribution opportunities

• Evaluating potential routes to commercialisation

4. Regulatory and Legal Assessments

Projects investigating requirements that could affect international expansion.

Examples include:

• Local regulations

• Product certification requirements

• Intellectual property considerations

• Legal barriers to market entry

• Industry-specific compliance requirements

5. International Research and Innovation Partnerships

Projects exploring opportunities to collaborate with organisations in a target country.

Examples include:

• Research partnerships

• Technology validation

• Joint innovation opportunities

• Developing future international R&D projects

• Working with local suppliers or end users

The programme is open to innovative businesses across different sectors, with no specific industry or technology theme.

Who can apply?

The programme welcomes eligible SMEs and startups legally established in:

• European Union Member States

• United Kingdom

• Iceland

• Israel

• Norway

• Switzerland

• Türkiye

Key eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a legally registered SME in an eligible country.

• Have been incorporated on or before 1 December 2024.

• Propose a six-month market feasibility project.

• Explore a target market in Africa, the Americas, Asia or Oceania.

• Have an independent local subcontractor in the target country.

• Demonstrate that their innovation has reached at least Technology Readiness Level 4.

• Ensure their technology does not exceed Technology Readiness Level 8 in the target market.

• Have total eligible project costs of at least €86,000.

• Contribute at least €26,000 towards project costs.

• Focus exclusively on civilian applications.

• Submit their application in English.

Businesses that received funding through a previous Innowwide call are not eligible for this round.

International partnership requirements

Applicants must identify an independent organisation in their chosen target country.

This organisation will act as the project's main subcontractor.

Potential partners include:

• Local businesses

• Research organisations

• Technology providers

• Suppliers

• Customers

• End users

• Innovation organisations

The international partner must contribute to the market feasibility project.

Important: The grant is awarded to the applicant SME, not directly to the international partner.

What costs can be funded?

Eligible project expenses include:

• Staff and personnel costs

• Subcontracting

• Travel and subsistence

• Equipment depreciation

• Goods and materials

• Professional services

• Other eligible project implementation expenses

• Indirect costs calculated using the programme's applicable flat rate

How much funding is available?

Grant Amount: €60,000

Total Competition Funding: €4.2 Million

Number of Projects: 70

Maximum Funding Rate: 70%

Minimum Eligible Project Costs: €86,000

Minimum Applicant Contribution: €26,000

Project Duration: Six Months

Funding is provided in two instalments.

First Payment: €42,000

Successful applicants receive 70% of the grant at the beginning of their project.

Second Payment: €18,000

The remaining 30% is paid after completion of the six-month project and acceptance of the final report.

How does the application process work?

Step 1 – Review Eligibility

Applicants should confirm that their business, innovation and target market meet the programme requirements.

Step 2 – Identify an International Partner

Businesses must establish a relationship with an independent subcontractor in their target country.

Step 3 – Register Online

Create an account through the Eureka Network's SmartSimple application platform.

Step 4 – Prepare the Application

Applicants must explain:

• Their innovative product, process or service

• The international market they want to explore

• Their proposed feasibility activities

• The technical and commercial challenges

• Their international partnership

• Expected project outcomes

• The project budget

Step 5 – Complete Supporting Documents

Applicants must upload the official project workplan.

The international subcontractor must also complete the required commitment and declaration through the application platform.

Step 6 – Submit Before the Deadline

Only one application may be submitted per company.

Applications must be completed in English.

How are applications assessed?

Eligible proposals are evaluated by independent experts.

Assessment focuses on:

• Excellence and innovation

• Expected commercial and economic impact

• Quality of project implementation

• Strength of the international collaboration

• Feasibility of the proposed activities

Funding is awarded to the highest-ranked eligible applications, subject to the available budget.

Key dates

Applications Opened: 1 October 2026

Application Deadline: 1 December 2026