Eureka GlobalStars Japan 2026

Overview

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest at least £2 million to support UK participation in the Eureka Globalstars Japan 2026 call. The competition funds business-led collaborative research and development (CR&D) projects focused on industrial research between the UK, Japan, and other Eureka member countries. Projects must develop innovative products, applications, or technology-based services with strong market potential and clear commercial impact.

Scope

The fund supports collaborative R&D projects that deliver disruptive innovation through international partnerships. Each project must include at least one UK-registered business and one eligible Japanese SME, with the option to include partners from other participating Eureka countries. Proposals must demonstrate clear economic benefit, market readiness within two to three years, and the added value of international collaboration.

Key themes and topics

Projects should focus on:

• Innovative products and advanced manufacturing
• Technology-based applications and services
• Digital, clean growth, and advanced materials sectors aligned with the UK Industrial Strategy

Ineligible projects include those in nuclear or drug discovery, or those developing non-civilian technologies.

Project duration

Projects can last up to 36 months and are expected to start by 1 July 2026.

Award value

UK applicants can apply for up to £600,000 in grant funding per project.

Funding rates

For UK industrial research activities:

• Up to 70% for small businesses
• Up to 60% for medium-sized businesses
• Up to 50% for large businesses

UK research organisations can share up to 30% of total UK project costs, claiming:

• 100% of eligible costs if an RTO
• 80% of full economic costs (FEC) if a Je-S registered academic institution

Eligibility criteria

• Projects must include at least one UK-registered business and one Japanese SME (separate legal entities).
• Open to UK businesses of any size, collaborating with partners in Japan and optionally other Eureka members.
• UK universities and RTOs may collaborate but cannot lead.
• Subcontracting is allowed (up to 20% of UK eligible costs).
• The project must be collaborative, business-led, and civilian in nature.
• Applications must comply with Innovate UK’s eligibility rules, subsidy control regulations, and DASA pre-sift criteria.
• UK applicants must submit through the Innovate UK Innovation Funding Service, and the full consortium must also submit to Eureka by 21 January 2026 (10:59am UK time).