Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (“STEP”)
Regulation (EU) 2024/795 establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)
Category
Status
EU
Application date 1 March 2024.
Different dates for calls for proposals will be announced under the various programmes. Calls under the European Defence Fund EU4Health are currently open, and calls under the Digital Europe Programme are planned for July 2024.
Scope
The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) was set up by the EU to support European industry and boost investment in critical technologies in Europe. STEP raises and steers funding across 11 established EU programmes such as Horizon Europe, Digital Europe Programme and the Innovation Fund. The funding, with a total sum of 10 billion euros, will be steered towards three target investment areas:
- Digital technologies and deep-tech innovation
- Clean and resource efficient technologies
- Biotechnologies
STEP also introduces a new STEP Seal – an EU label for high quality projects – granting STEP projects visibility and facilitating their access to other possible sources of funding.
Relevance
Support under STEP can come in the form of financial products including both debt and equity. Large companies that were previously excluded from existing programmes, will be able to benefit from financing through the STEP platform. High-risk SMEs will additionally be able to benefit from equity support ranging from €15 million to €50 million provided by the European Innovation Council Accelerator.