IraSME: integrating international R&D projects

Launched in 2011, IraSME (International Research Activities by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) is an autonomous network bringing together several national innovation and funding agencies responsible for managing national and regional funding programmes. It is not a funding programme with its own budget; decisions on financial support rest with the national bodies.

The initiative, coordinated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and implemented by AiF Projekt GmbH in Berlin (Germany), supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their transnational innovation activities. It helps them acquire technological know-how, expand their networks and bridge the gap between research and innovation.

Developing innovation

Twice a year, IraSME launches calls for proposals for transnational cooperative research projects between SMEs. The objective is to develop innovative products, processes or technical services.

The research topics are not predefined and may be determined by the applicants themselves. Funding is provided through national and regional programmes.

The current call, the 37^th, launched in December, closes on 25 March 2026.

The entities participating in the 37th call are:

• EMBRAPII, Brazilian Research and Industrial Innovation Company
• Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade (DFO)
• Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Belgium)
• AiF Projekt GmbH (Germany)
• Luxinnovation
• TÜBİTAK – The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye
• Public Service of Wallonia (Belgium)

The funding covers:

• The development of new products, processes or technical services that go beyond the current international state of the art.
• Technical and experimental development up to prototype level.
• R&D activities involving significant technical risks for each funded partner.

A minimum consortium of two companies from two participating countries/regions is required.

Luxinnovation support

In Luxembourg, the Ministry of the Economy is the national funding body. SMEs and large companies are eligible to apply.

Luxembourg projects must be able to demonstrate their co-financing capacity, economic impact and innovation potential. Laurie Ensch, Luxinnovation

Aid budgets range from 25% to 45% depending on the size of the company, with an additional 15% premium for effective collaboration. This applies when no partner bears more than 70% of the total costs, technical challenges are addressed jointly by all partners, and each partner benefits in some way.

“As a national innovation agency, we can help companies prepare their state aid application,” says Laurie Ensch, Advisor – National Funding at Luxinnovation. “As with other national funding rules, Luxembourg projects must be able to demonstrate their co-financing capacity, economic impact and innovation potential.”

A webinar on 20 January

An information and consultation webinar will take place on 20 January 2026 to provide interested parties with background information on the IraSME calls for proposals, as well as an overview of the national funding conditions in selected member countries of the network.

Breakout sessions will also offer the opportunity to consult directly with the Luxembourg representative of IraSME.