The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) enhances EU industrial competitiveness by focusing on developing critical technologies for a sustainable, competitive future. It tests new strategic measures and strengthens EU industrial policy. In particular, the sector of clean and resource efficient technologies represents one of the main focus areas of the STEP Programme.
STEP offers MS the possibility to remodulate their cohesion policy funds to support investments in critical technologies. These include a 100% co-financing rate for STEP priorities during the 2021–2027 programming period, along with a one-time 30% pre-financing option for Programme Amendments. Additionally, support for productive investments in large enterprises is made possible for the first time in less developed and transition regions, as well as in more developed regions in Member States with a GDP per capita below the EU-27 average. Furthermore, under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Member States have the option to allocate up to 6% of their national envelope to STEP-relevant financial products under InvestEU.
How to apply
Since EU countries manage these funds, they also manage the publication of information about available funding opportunities at national level. To get an overview the STEP relevant calls for proposals you can consult section Get funding on the STEP Portal which will redirect you to the National single portals for more precise information on upcoming funding opportunities at national level, (i.e. which regions are covered by funding calls, who can apply, the amount of funding allocated to a call, programme and EU policy objectives, and the relevant timelines).