Canada and Germany wrap up a milestone year of global collaboration as Eureka Network co-chairs
News release
June 30, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Research Council of Canada
After a groundbreaking year, Canada and Germany concluded their historic co-chairship of the Eureka Network. For the first time in the network’s history, 2 countries jointly led the world’s largest public network for research and innovation.
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) led the year-long co-chairship, which ran from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Together, the co-chairs advanced the strategic goals of Eureka, facilitated new partnerships, and supported research and innovation projects across various industries and countries.
Major milestones from the Canada-Germany Eureka co-chairship:
- Circular Value Creation (CVC) call for proposals: A key initiative of the co-chairship focused on sustainability and resource efficiency, inviting participation from 17 countries. This is the largest joint call across Eureka in its history. The CVC call remains open until September 2025, providing exciting opportunities for innovators to work with international partners in the circular economy space.
- Expanded global partnerships: One of the co-chairship’s most significant achievements was the strategic expansion of Eureka's role within both the European and global innovation ecosystems. This includes the development of a joint action plan to strengthen cooperation between Eureka and the European Union in the medium to long term. The year also included the successful re-association of Singapore, which further enhances Eureka’s global outreach and fosters greater cross-regional collaboration.
- Impactful research and innovation opportunities: During the co-chairship, Eureka initiated several innovative bilateral and multilateral calls for proposals, focusing on areas such as light weighting and disaster resilience for climate solutions. These calls paved the way for groundbreaking innovation in addressing critical global challenges.
- Eureka Global Innovation Summit 2025: A key highlight of the co-chairship was the Eureka Global Innovation Summit (GIS), held in April 2025 during Hannover Messe. The summit attracted more than 900 participants from around the world, including government ministers, industry leaders, and R&D experts. Canada had a strong delegation of companies who took full advantage of matchmaking opportunities, pitching sessions, and various B2B engagements designed to help create connections with potential R&D partners.
Looking ahead
With the conclusion of the Canada–Germany co-chairship, the baton has officially passed to Switzerland for the 2025–2026 term. Canada remains fully committed to global collaborative innovation. As we move forward, we will continue to work side by side with our global partners — going further together.
Quotes
“Over the past year, Canada and Germany’s co-chairship of the Eureka Network not only advanced the network’s mission but also delivered concrete results and new opportunities for both our countries. As like-minded partners, we’ve shown what meaningful collaboration can achieve.”
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
“Our partnership with Germany has shown what we can achieve through shared leadership, mutual respect, and a common vision—we truly do go further together. Our goals were always clear: to intensify global cooperation, enhance competitiveness for all our members, and contribute meaningfully to ground-up innovation across our nations.”
—Mitch Davies, Eureka High-level Representative for Canada, President of the National Research Council of Canada
“The Canadian-German Eureka co-chair was a success. For the first time in the 40-year history of the world’s largest innovation network, two countries assumed the chairship together. Our jointly launched funding initiative on circular value creation achieved a milestone for cross-border innovation and resource-efficient economy. A total of 17 countries in Europe, North and South America and Asia are participating. In challenging geopolitical times, this outcome provides important impetus for European and international cooperation in research, technology and innovation.”
—Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space of Germany
Quick facts
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Established in 1985, Eureka is the world's largest public network for international cooperation in research and development, comprising over 47 member economies. It supports market-driven, industry-led R&D by facilitating collaboration among SMEs, large companies, research institutes and universities.
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Since joining Eureka in 2012, Canadian participants have engaged in over 300 international research and innovation projects, valued at approximately $1.1 billion Canadian, involving more than 600 partner organizations across 35 countries.
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The National Research Council of Canada is Canada’s national office for Eureka and provides Canadian companies, researchers and academics with a first point of contact and access to the expansive global network.
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Participating in Eureka enables firms to access funding opportunities and join global consortia, thereby driving innovation and economic growth. The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program plays a pivotal role in supporting Canadian small and medium-sized businesses with funding to engage in Eureka research and innovation projects, fostering increased competitiveness and technological advancement.
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Contacts
Isabella Orozco-Madison
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
isabella.orozco-madison@ised-isde.gc.ca
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
media@ised-isde.gc.ca
Media Relations
National Research Council of Canada
media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
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