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Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform

Be inspired

Speech by Ursula von der Leyen, candidate for the European Commission Presidency (2024-2029) 

Europe needs more investment, from farming to industry, from digital to strategic technologies but also more investment in people and their skills (.....). I will propose a new European Competitiveness Fund. (...) It will ensure that we develop strategic tech and manufacture it here, in Europe. So, from Al to clean tech, the future of our prosperity must be made in Europe.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, July 2024

Unlocking funding opportunities with the STEP Seal

The seal aims at enhancing access to EU funding, notably by facilitating alternative cumulative or combined funding from several EU budget instruments. 

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Explore targeted investment areas

The focus of STEP is on projects in the development and manufacturing stages. Project proposals submitted are assessed based on the rules of each individual programme. The award criteria ensure that all project proposals evaluated above the threshold and considered for funding and STEP Seal award meet at least one of the following conditions:

  • They bring an innovative, cutting-edge element with significant economic potential to the Single Market
  • They help reduce or prevent strategic dependency for the EU.
Digital technologies and deep tech innovation

Examples (indicative and non-exhaustive): 

Clean and resource efficient technologies

Examples drawing from the Net Zero Industry Act (indicative and non-exhaustive):

Biotechnologies

Examples (indicative and non-exhaustive): 

Strategic projects under Net-Zero Industry Act and Critical Raw Materials Act

Strategic projects recognised under the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) will also be able to receive support via STEP, including cumulative funding through various EU programmes under certain conditions.