EnterpriseSG Co-Innovation Programme Guide: EUREKA, Eurostars and Globalstars

Enterprise Singapore’s Co-Innovation Programme, commonly referred to as CIP, supports Singapore companies that are pursuing international research, development and innovation collaborations with overseas partners.

Unlike general business transformation grants, CIP is focused on cross-border innovation. It is especially relevant for companies developing new technologies, software products, advanced engineering solutions, deep-tech applications or commercialisable intellectual property with an overseas R&D or go-to-market partner.

If your company is looking at EUREKA, Eurostars, Globalstars or other international co-innovation calls, the key question is not simply whether the grant exists. The real question is whether your project has the right partner, technical scope, commercial logic and application pathway.

What Is the EnterpriseSG Co-Innovation Programme?

The Co-Innovation Programme sits within Enterprise Singapore’s wider innovation and internationalisation ecosystem. It supports Singapore companies participating in international collaborative innovation projects.

Through CIP-related pathways, Singapore companies may work with overseas companies, research organisations, institutes of higher learning or other innovation partners to jointly develop and commercialise new solutions.

EnterpriseSG’s current Co-Innovation Programme pages include international innovation pathways such as EUREKA Eurostars, EUREKA Clusters, EUREKA Network Projects and other country-specific or thematic calls. EnterpriseSG states that eligible companies can receive support through EDG (Co-Innovation Programme) for qualifying cost items, subject to programme terms and assessment.

Why CIP Is Different From Standard EDG or PSG Projects

CIP should not be treated like a normal productivity or digitalisation grant.

A standard grant application may focus on what one Singapore company wants to implement internally. CIP, by contrast, usually requires a credible international collaboration.

That means the application has to explain:

• what each partner contributes;

• why the collaboration is necessary;

• what technology or innovation is being developed;

• how the project will be commercialised;

• why the Singapore applicant is a suitable participant;

• how project costs, milestones and work packages are shared;

• what market opportunity the collaboration is targeting.

This makes CIP more strategic, but also more complex.

Common CIP Pathways

EUREKA Eurostars

EUREKA Eurostars supports international R&D and collaborative innovation projects. EnterpriseSG describes Eurostars as supporting collaboration between companies from Singapore and EUREKA member countries, with participation from organisations such as SMEs, large companies, research organisations and institutes of higher learning.

Eurostars is usually more suitable for companies with serious R&D activity, strong technical capability and an international partner that can contribute meaningfully to the project.

EUREKA Clusters

EUREKA Clusters support joint research, development and innovation projects, often around sector or technology themes. EnterpriseSG states that Singapore companies can participate in projects submitted through the EUREKA Clusters instrument, provided they meet the relevant criteria, including EDG-related requirements.

This pathway may be relevant for companies working on advanced technologies, industrial innovation, digital systems, low-carbon solutions or other collaborative R&D areas.

EUREKA Network Projects

EUREKA Network Projects provide a more flexible route for international R&D cooperation between Singapore companies and overseas partners. For these projects, Singapore companies and their foreign partners may need to submit a joint application through the relevant EUREKA platform or call process.

Globalstars

Globalstars is a EUREKA programme that helps organisations connect with partners outside the EUREKA network. It is generally structured around specific country calls or thematic opportunities.

For Singapore companies, this can be relevant where EnterpriseSG participates in a specific Globalstars call with another country or market.

What Types of Projects May Be Suitable?

CIP may be relevant for projects involving:

• joint R&D with an overseas technology partner;

• software or platform development with cross-border commercialisation potential;

• applied research leading to new products or solutions;

• deep-tech development;

• advanced manufacturing or engineering innovation;

• sustainability or low-carbon technology development;

• medtech, healthtech, fintech, cybersecurity or enterprise technology innovation;

• international pilots or validation linked to commercialisation.

The project should usually involve more than a basic reseller relationship, distribution arrangement or outsourcing contract. A strong CIP project requires genuine co-development, technical contribution and commercial logic.

What Makes a Strong CIP Project?

A strong CIP project usually has several characteristics.

First, the technology development scope is clear. The application should explain what is being developed, what is technically new or improved, and what problem the project solves.

Second, the partner roles are meaningful. Each partner should have a clear contribution, whether in technology, domain expertise, market access, testing, validation or commercialisation.

Third, the project has commercial potential. CIP is not only about research activity. The project should have a credible pathway toward market adoption, revenue generation, licensing, deployment or strategic expansion.

Fourth, the Singapore applicant has substance. The Singapore company should be able to show capability, commitment, manpower, financial readiness and strategic reason for participating.

Fifth, the timeline and budget are realistic. International collaborative projects often fail when work packages, cost allocation and partner responsibilities are not properly structured.

Common Mistakes Companies Make

Confusing CIP With a Normal Grant Application

CIP is not just another EDG-style project label. The international collaboration element is central. If the overseas partner is weak or superficial, the project may not be credible.

Finding the Grant Before Finding the Partner

Some companies start by asking which CIP call is available. The better starting point is whether there is a real partner and a real co-innovation project worth funding.

Weak Commercialisation Logic

A technically interesting project may still be weak if the route to market is unclear. Companies should explain who will use the solution, why the market needs it, and how the partners intend to commercialise it.

Unclear Work Packages

International R&D applications need clear work packages, milestones, responsibilities and deliverables. Vague collaboration language is not enough.

Poor Timing

Some calls have fixed application windows or partner-matching processes. Companies should not wait until the deadline is near before trying to structure the collaboration.

Key Application Considerations

Before pursuing CIP, companies should clarify:

• Which programme or call is relevant?

• Is there a confirmed overseas partner?

• What does each partner contribute?

• What is the technical development scope?

• What costs will the Singapore applicant incur?

• What milestones and deliverables will be produced?

• What is the commercialisation plan?

• Does the project align with the call requirements?

• Can the company support the cash flow before reimbursement?

• Are the supporting documents ready?

These questions should be answered before the company invests serious time into the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CIP only for startups?

No. CIP may be relevant for startups, SMEs, scale-ups and larger companies, depending on the specific programme, call and eligibility criteria.

Must there be an overseas partner?

For most CIP-related pathways, the overseas collaboration is central. The partner should have a meaningful role in the R&D, innovation or commercialisation project.

Can CIP support software development?

Yes, software development may be supportable where it forms part of a qualifying international co-innovation project and meets the relevant programme requirements.

Is CIP the same as EDG?

CIP may be accessed through EDG-related structures, but it is not the same as a normal EDG project. The co-innovation and international collaboration requirements make it more specialised.

Can a Singapore company apply alone?

Generally, CIP is intended for collaborative international innovation projects. A company without a credible collaboration partner may need to consider other grant pathways instead.

Does the grant guarantee funding for both partners?

No. Each country or funding agency may have its own application process, eligibility criteria and funding assessment. Companies should check the requirements for each participating partner.

How RIC Helps Companies Assess CIP Fit

RIC helps companies assess whether a proposed international innovation project is suitable for the Co-Innovation Programme and how the application should be structured.

This may include reviewing the company profile, overseas partner role, project scope, technical development plan, budget, timeline, commercialisation pathway and supporting documents.

For companies exploring EUREKA, Eurostars, Globalstars or country-specific co-innovation calls, RIC can help translate the collaboration into a clearer, fundable and agency-ready project structure.

Note on Grant Information

Grant schemes, eligibility criteria, support levels, application windows and participating countries may change over time. Companies should refer to official Enterprise Singapore and EUREKA sources for the latest programme details.

RIC assesses funding fit based on the latest programme requirements and each company’s actual project context.

Speak With RIC

Planning an international R&D, product development or co-innovation project?

Share your company profile, overseas partner details, project objective, estimated budget and timeline. RIC can help assess whether the EnterpriseSG Co-Innovation Programme or another funding pathway may be suitable.