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-relevant calls for proposals.
These calls are designed to reward projects that:
- contribute to at least 1 of the STEP objectives and
- meet at least one of the relevant conditions (cutting-edge innovation with strong economic potential in the single market and/or contribution to reducing the EU’s strategic dependencies).
The STEP Seal seeks to:
- recognise top-rated innovation projects
- facilitate access to EU funding
- attract additional or alternative private and public investment.
The very competitive nature of the STEP calls and rigorous evaluation by the Commission and independent expert panels ensures that all projects above the respective thresholds set in the call 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 5 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. If a project meets the minimum excellence criteria in that call (see below), the 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, may be eligible for a STEP Seal if it meets the following conditions:
- EU-based – the organisation or at least one consortium member is established in an EU country or in a country associated to the programmes under STEP
- STEP-relevant call – The project is evaluated under a “STEP”-relevant call for proposals launched by one of the five funding programmes.
- Excellence – the project scores above the evaluation thresholds for the relevant call criteria (eligibility, exclusion, award).
Duration of the STEP Seal
The STEP Seal is valid for the duration of the project.
Validity will expire if the project is relocated outside the EU or if it is not started within 5 years of the Seal being awarded.
What are the benefits of the STEP Seal?
The STEP Seal simplifies access to EU funding by incentivising cumulative or combined support from multiple instruments of the EU budget.
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 with public and private investors.
STEP Seal holders are encouraged to:
- Contact 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/investor matchmaking events.
- Register on Dealroom, if they want to feature in the STEP Seals list of companies on the Dealflow platform.
For managing authorities
Projects with a STEP Seal can benefit from a simplified selection process when seeking additional or alternative resources from:
- the ERDF
- the JTF
- ESF+
Condition – they must 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.
Investors can find them on the InvestEU Portal, where STEP projects are prominently featured with a dedicated tag.
