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COSME (Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Programme) is sponsored by European Commission (managed by European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency - EISMEA). COSME is an EU programme designed to ease access to finance for SMEs by providing loan guarantees and risk capital, help companies access new markets, create a business-friendly environment by reducing administrative burdens, and encourage an entrepreneurial culture.
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COSME - Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs COSME, the programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), funds many initiatives that help small businesses access new markets. Programming, monitoring and evaluation The Commission has a legal obligation to monitor the implementation of the COSME programme, to report annually and to disseminate the results of this monitoring.
The promotion of entrepreneurship and an entrepreneurial culture is therefore one of the main objectives of COSME. Improving conditions for competitiveness COSME aims to create more favourable conditions for the creation of businesses and growth through several means, as described below.
Download the leaflet with the key information on COSME, the programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and its objectives. Download the leaflet (available in all EU languages) COSME aims to make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access finance in all phases of their lifecycle – creation, expansion, or business transfer.
Thanks to EU support, businesses have easier access to guarantees, loans and equity capital. EU ‘ financial instruments ’ are channelled through local financial institutions in EU countries. To find a financial institution in your country, visit the Access to Finance portal.
COSME helps businesses to access markets in the EU and beyond. It funds the Enterprise Europe Network that helps SMEs find business and technology partners, and understand EU legislation; the Your Europe Business portal that provides practical information on doing business within Europe. It also finances a number of IPR (intellectual property rights) SME Helpdesks .
COSME supports entrepreneurs by strengthening entrepreneurship education , mentoring, guidance and other support services. Actions support specific groups who may find it difficult to reach their full potential, such as young people, women and senior entrepreneurs. The programme also aims to help businesses access opportunities offered by digital technologies .
Improving business conditions COSME aims to reduce the administrative and regulatory burden on SMEs by creating a business-friendly environment. COSME also supports businesses to be competitive by encouraging them to adopt new business models and innovative practices. This complements actions in areas with high growth potential such as the tourism sector .
COSME is the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises running from 2014 - 2020 with a budget of €2. 3 billion. SMEs are the backbone of Europe’s economy, providing 85% of all new jobs.
The European Commission aims to promote entrepreneurship and improve the business environment for SMEs to allow them to realise their full potential in today’s global economy. Regulation establishing COSME Non-EU participants in COSME The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) manage many of the COSME legacy files on behalf of the European Commission.
Financial intermediaries that participated in the implementation of the COSME financial instruments ( Loan Guarantee Facility and Equity Facility for Growth ) via the European Investment Fund can participate in the new InvestEU Programme , namely via one of its components, the InvestEU Fund .
Financial intermediaries can find more information on the available calls for expression of interest and participate in the implementation of InvestEU via the European Investment Fund or, upon other conditions met, directly become an implementing partner of the European Commission alongside the European Investment Bank Group (European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund).
Please note that the funding for the COSME programme came from the EU 2014-2020 budget and the programme will not receive additional EU funding. There are still some ongoing projects for objectives 2, 3 and 4 (access to markets, competitiveness and entrepreneurship). The funding for these multiannual projects came from EU 2019-2020 budget.
Some financial intermediaries (e.g. banks, equity funds, etc.) for the COSME financial instruments are still active until 2034 and SMEs can apply for COSME financing alongside other financing opportunities, including from the InvestEU Fund, via the access to finance website .
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the main target. Intermediary organisations that support SMEs can also be beneficiaries. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Funding amounts vary based on project scope and sponsor guidance. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs Phase I (FY 2025) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Projects dealing with agriculturally-related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies are encouraged across all SBIR/STTR topic areas.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs (Phase I) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit in agriculturally-related areas. This can include app development for agricultural technology, rural development, and smart farming. Phase I aims to demonstrate technical feasibility.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program is sponsored by NOAA. This program provides seed funding to small businesses for research and development of innovative technologies across NOAA's mission areas, including climate change adaptation and mitigation, coastal resilience, and extreme weather events. Phase I awards fund a six-month period for conducting feasibility and proof of concept research.