STEP came into effect on March 1, 2024
A European one-stop shop to support investments in critical technologies has been launched. This is one of the key tools of STEP, the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform, a flagship initiative of the European Commission launched in March 2024 to strengthen the EU’s competitiveness. Officially operational today, just a day after the presentation of the Draghi Report, the new online portal allows project promoters, national managing authorities, and investors to access key information in three strategic sectors, namely:
- Digital technologies and cutting-edge innovation;
- Clean and resource-efficient technologies;
- Biotechnologies.
For each of these fields, the portal will help identify EU funding opportunities.
“The projects funded under STEP,” the European Commission stated in a press release, “could, for example, support the development of new antivirals and the construction of artificial intelligence (AI) models within the EU. Or provide skill support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in key green technologies.”
To maximize public and private investments, high-quality eligible projects will receive the “STEP Seal” and will be actively promoted through the STEP portal.
It is worth noting that the platform for critical technologies mobilizes resources from 11 EU investment programs. To apply for an open call, users can click on the green “Apply” button, gaining access to the submission system and following the specific guidelines. Each call is unique and subject to a dedicated selection process. Supported projects range from research to production, depending on their development stage.
