€29 billion of EU funding mobilised to drive EU competitiveness: The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform turns 2!

The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) celebrates its second anniversary with record achievements for the development and manufacturing of critical technologies in Europe. Since its inception in March 2024, STEP mobilised €29 billion of EU funding across EU funding programmes to support technologies in four sectors and associated skills: digital and deep-tech innovation, clean and resource-efficient, biotech and – added in  December 2025 – defence. 

Close to €14 billion of EU funding mobilised under STEP is deployed from funds managed by the European Commission to the benefit of the entire EU: the Innovation Fund, the Digital Europe programme, the European Defence Fund, the EU4Health programme, and Horizon Europe. More than €15 billion is invested in STEP priorities by 20 Member States and their regions from their EU-funded cohesion policy funds. Larger amounts are being crowded in from other public and private investors. 

These funds are powering concrete projects on the ground which are selected based on their innovation profile for the EU as a whole and/or their capacity to reduce the strategic dependency of the Union. STEP supports for example projects developing autonomous drones, advanced pharmaceutical production processes and clean hydrogen facilities – find out more in the STEP Stories.

Better access to EU funding

So far, more than 220 STEP calls have been listed on the STEP Portal for project promoters to apply to funding. Work is ongoing on an AI simulator to make access to information even simpler.

The positive experience of the STEP approach was an important input into the Commission’s proposal to consolidate 14 programmes into one European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) for the next Multiannual Financial Framework starting in 2028. Inspired by the STEP Portal, a Single Gateway will be established to consolidate and simplify access to funding opportunities across the EU budget. 

Cross-cutting projects in every EU Member State and in every STEP sector

The Commission awards a quality label to the best projects in critical technologies: little less than 800 excellent projects were awarded the STEP Seal so far - in every Member State (and also in associated countries) and in every STEP sector. Those which agreed to be published are available on the STEP Portal. STEP Seal holders benefit from dedicated services and are promoted on a dedicated Dealroom page to attract investors – in particular start-ups and scale-ups with innovation profile and growth potential. 

On 24 March, Commissioner Serafin met with STEP stakeholders as part of a Commission Implementation Dialogue to hear directly from their experience what works and what can be improved. 

Background

STEP was established by the EU Regulation in March 2024, as part of the mid-term review of the MFF. In its original design, it covered critical technologies in three strategic sectors, namely biotechnologies, deep-tech and digital technologies, and clean and resource-efficient technologies.

In December 2025, the Defence mini-omnibus Regulation extended the scope of STEP to a fourth sector, namely defence technologies. Under the competitiveness pillar of the Cohesion mid-term review, STEP was also re-confirmed as a priority in September 2025. STEP will be promoted at several events in the coming months. To stay updated, you can subscribe to the STEP Newsletter and check the news section of the STEP Portal.

The STEP team and services across the Commission are engaged with National Contact Points appointed in each Member State: missions, workshops, outreach in industry and investment events, support to EU projects, technical assistance to national authorities.

More information

STEP Portal 

STEP Factsheet

STEP Annual Report

STEP Interim Evaluation

STEP Guidance note and Second Guidance note

Commissioner Piotr Serafin said: “In just two years, STEP proved that a targeted funding initiative on priority sectors can lead to impressive results. STEP continues to be a key pilot project on access to funding for the Commission, proving the importance of simplification, streamlining, and strategic focus, as negotiations for the European Competitiveness Fund and the next MFF are ongoing.”