What Is the STEP Seal?
The STEP Seal (or Sovereignty Seal) is a quality label awarded by the European Commission to excellent projects selected under STEP calls for proposals.
STEP-relevant calls for proposals are designed by the European Commission to reward projects that contribute to at least one of the STEP objectives and meet at least one of the relevant conditions, namely cutting-edge innovation with strong economic potential in the Single Market and/or contribution to reducing the EU’s strategic dependencies.
The STEP Seal aims at:
- recognising top-rated innovation projects;
- facilitating access to EU funding opportunities;
- attracting additional or alternative private and public investment.
The very competitive nature of the STEP calls and the rigorous evaluation by the European Commission and independent expert panels ensures that all projects above the calls’ respective thresholds are of high-quality.
How does the STEP Seal work?
Projects are evaluated for the STEP Seal under STEP-relevant calls for proposals launched through five EU funding programmes: Digital Europe Programme,European Defence Fund, 4Health, Horizon Europe, and the Innovation Fund.
No separate application or procedure is needed: projects are evaluated for the Seal in parallel to their evaluation for funding under the STEP-relevant calls.
Applying to a STEP-relevant call for proposals is the only way to obtain a STEP Seal. When a project meets the minimum excellence criteria of such call (see below), the STEP Seal is automatically awarded. Each STEP Seal is digitally secured and uniquely tied to the project proposal.
Who is eligible for a STEP Seal?
A project, whether promoted by a single organisation or by a consortium of entities, may be eligible for a STEP Seal if it meets the following conditions:
EU-based
- The organisation is established in one of the 27 EU Member States, or
- At least one member of the consortium is established in an EU Member State.
STEP-relevant call
The project is evaluated under a “STEP” call for proposals launched by one of the five funding programmes.
Excellence
The project scores above the evaluation thresholds for the relevant (eligibility, exclusion, award) criteria of the call.
The STEP Seal is valid for the duration of the project. Validity will expire if the project is relocated outside the Union or if it is not started within 5 years after the award of the Seal.
What are the benefits of the STEP Seal?
The STEP Seal simplifies access to EU funding by incentivising cumulative or combined support from multiple EU budget instruments.
For project promoters
The STEP Seal is more than a recognition of excellence – it is a gateway to new opportunities. The Commission will directly promote the projects with the STEP Seal to national funding authorities. If project promoters consent, the STEP seal project is showcased on the STEP Portal and promoted towards public and private investors.
STEP Seal holders are encouraged to:
- Reach out to their National Contact Points to explore complementary funding possibilities under EU programmes such as Cohesion Policy Funds and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
- Register on the InvestEU Portal, a gateway to the EU-wide database of investment opportunities and business and investor matchmaking events.
- Register on Dealroom, should they want to feature in the STEP Seals list of companies on the Dealflow platform.
For managing authorities
Projects with a STEP Seal might benefit from a simplified selection process when seeking additional or alternative resources from the ERDF, the JTF and ESF+, as long as they meet the requirements of the Common Provision Regulation and relevant cohesion policy fund-specific rules.
Similar benefits for projects with a seal exist under other EU funding instruments:
- Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF): projects with a Seal must be considered as a priority for funding under national recovery plans;
- Modernisation Fund: projects with a Seal must be considered as a priority for funding;
- InvestEU: projects with a Seal must be taken into account in Commission’s policy checks and be examined by implementing partners;
- Other Union funds or programmes.
Ultimately, therefore, the STEP Seal opens up more opportunities for projects to secure funding.
For other public and private investors
The STEP Seal certificate is a badge of distinction, recognising projects that have successfully navigated the European Commission's rigorous evaluation process. For public and private investors, it offers a dual benefit: not only does it signal the quality and credibility of STEP projects but it also signals the European Commission's political support and endorsement.
Ready to invest in innovative EU initiatives, such as STEP projects? Get started by registering on the InvestEU Portal, where STEP projects are prominently featured with a dedicated tag. This makes it easy for you to discover and connect with these exciting opportunities.
