The target audience of the METASTARS Innovation Support Mechanism are SMEs from the Aeronautics, Space, Defence and ICT sectors wishing to submit proposals related to Aerospace & Defence.
Proposals submitted must aim at reaching one or both objectives, focusing on at least one leading objective, depending on the innovation project type:
1. Network for resilience to improve the resilience of the EU ASD industrial ecosystems by developing value chains interlinkages in the EU Single Market. The aim is to improve the ASD value chains’ ability to cope with challenges and undergo transitions in a sustainable manner through the integration of different actors, competences and solutions.
2. Innovate for strategic autonomy to build capacity in the most critical inputs and critical technologies in the Aeronautics, Space, Defence and ICT ecosystem. The aim is to reduce the dependency of companies on critical inputs and critical technologies through a development of novel ideas, substitutes, innovative products or services.
Technologies applied to Aerospace and Defence sectors.
Expected projects are the following ones :
– Innovation projects low-risk (TRL 5-7, 12-month duration) : reach the development of more digital or greener innovation products or services, enhancing the autonomy of the ASD value chain. The project should be included in at least one of the following categories:
• Design and build new collaboration models.
• Establish connections among value and supply chain actors in the form of contracts, agreements, platforms, forum, etc.
• Feasibility studies.
• Demonstration of a product, solution, process, service, or technology demonstrated in operational environment.
• Innovation projects to provide new products/ services/ novel ideas that increase the resilience of the SME and/ or improve the green and digital transition of the ASD sector, up to TRL 6-7.
OR
– Innovation Projects high-risk (TRL 2-5, 10-month duration): reach the development of high-risk innovation products or services in the ASD value chain.
The project should be included in at least one of the following categories:
• Intensify collaboration in innovation activities where there is a high risk of short-term disruption or long-term vulnerability in the value chain with high potential for further diversification and substitution.
• Demonstration of a product, solution, process, service or technology validated in relevant environment
• Feasibility: technology feasibility analysis, markets analysis, adaptation and development of a technology, analysis of new project concept
• Network creation of coordinated partners in quadruple helix (research, business, civil society, public bodies) with a view to generate innovation investments which address EU strategic autonomy in specific products, inputs, technologies and infrastructures.
• Innovation projects to provide new products/services that increase the resilience of the SME and/or improve the green and digital transition of the ASD sector, up to TRL 4-5.
One (1) SME may apply for an Innovation Project and may benefit from a financial support of up to 40 000€. Consortia of more SMEs are allowed; however, they will benefit from a financial support of up to €80.000 in total for the implementation of the project (up to 40 000€/SME).
To be eligible for the METASTARS Innovation Support Scheme, an applicant must be an SME established or have a branch office in the METASTARS territorial scope described as follows:
a. EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
b. non-EU countries:
– listed EEA countries and countries associated to the COSME part of the Single Market Programme or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature (list of participating countries).
