Strengthening Europe’s technological leadership and resilience has never been more urgent as emerging technologies continue to reshape industries and geopolitical dynamics. As a direct response to these critical issues, the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) was introduced by the European Commission.
Read on, because in this monthly issue we will try to explain this new initiative that brings together and coordinates existing EU funding to strengthen Europe’s leadership in key sectors such as digital and deep tech, clean and resource-efficient technologies, and biotechnologies. In this article, we will guide you through what STEP is, why it was launched, how it works, and how companies, researchers, and innovators can benefit from it.
Europe Takes a Bold STEP Forward
The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) was introduced by European Commission`President Ursula von der Leyen in June 2023 and officially launched in February 2024 under EU regulations.
As Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated: “The future of strategic industries should be made in Europe.” This vision inspired the creation of STEP, designed to keep Europe at the forefront of global innovation. The pandemic exposed major vulnerabilities, such as the disruption of semiconductor supply chains and Europe’s reliance on imported batteries, chips, AI solutions, and key components for clean energy. Growing geopolitical risks have made it clear that the EU must strengthen its own technological capacity to remain sovereign and resilient. Europe cannot afford to depend on non-European technologies for essential sectors like security, healthcare, energy, and communications.
The EU has set ambitious goals for a green and digital transformation. However, achieving these objectives depends heavily on access to advanced technologies and the ability to produce them within Europe. Building this capacity is crucial to ensuring Europe’s long-term sustainability, competitiveness, and independence.
That is precisely the main goal of STEP - to support European industries and drive investment in key technologies crucial for Europe’s competitiveness and independence, ensuring that Europe remains a leader in sectors vital to its future economy and society.
It's important to clarify - STEP is not a new funding program. Instead, it’s a platform designed to coordinate, strengthen, and direct up to 11 different funding sources at the European level, making sure existing resources are used more effectively. Think of it as a strategic shift, instead of spreading funds thinly across various initiatives, STEP focuses and aligns EU investments toward the technologies that matter most for Europe’s future competitiveness and resilience.
STEP mobilises existing EU programs such as Horizon Europe, InvestEU, the Innovation Fund, the Connecting Europe Facility, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Cohesion Funds, and REPowerEU. Projects that meet specific strategic criteria may be recognized and supported under the STEP initiative, ensuring that funding is directed toward technologies that are key to Europe’s future.
This platform covers a broad range of technologies including semiconductors and microelectronics, artificial intelligence and advanced computing like quantum and edge computing, cybersecurity and secure communications, clean technologies such as hydrogen, renewables, and batteries, as well as advanced biotechnologies and critical raw materials needed for manufacturing and innovation.
STEP also fosters coordination with EU Member States to align national investments with EU-wide priorities and ensure that efforts to strengthen Europe's technological base are consistent and efficient across the Union.
Getting a STEP seal
To recognize and support projects that are of particular importance, the European Commission may award a STEP seal, a designation that highlights the strategic value of a project for Europe's technological and industrial sovereignty. This label not only boosts the visibility of the project but also helps streamline access to EU funding by enabling the combination of financial support from multiple EU budget instruments. In some cases, it also allows for direct funding from Cohesion Policy funds without the need for additional selection procedures. Beyond funding, the STEP Seal raises the profile of selected projects, certifying their quality and alignment with STEP’s strategic objectives, and increasing their visibility on the STEP Portal. This recognition can significantly boost a project’s appeal to both public and private investors.
To further enhance visibility, projects awarded the STEP Seal can be featured on the InvestEU Portal. By registering, promoters can present their initiatives under a dedicated STEP Seal tag, offering greater exposure to potential investors and partners.
Organisations or consortia established in any of the 27 EU Member States are eligible to receive a STEP Seal, provided their project aligns with the relevant programmes and meets the specified conditions. Entities based in countries associated with STEP-related programmes may also qualify under the same criteria. The STEP Seal remains valid for the entire duration of the project. However, it becomes void if the project is relocated outside the EU or if it has not commenced within five years of receiving the Seal.
How Your Company Can Step It Up with STEP
It goes without saying that participating in STEP offers significant advantages. First, it provides access to strategically mobilized funding opportunities, increasing the chances of securing support for high-impact projects. Secondly, receiving the STEP seal not only validates your project's importance to Europe’s future but also enhances its appeal to investors and partners. Moreover, STEP creates a clear pathway to scale innovative solutions and bring them from the lab to market and production. Beyond funding, being part of STEP connects you to a broader European effort to lead in key technological sectors, unlocking opportunities for partnerships, cross-border collaboration, and greater visibility at the EU level.
By now, you’re probably wondering: How can my company benefit from STEP? Well, let us tell you - there are 11 different funding sources at the European level, open to a wide range of organizations working on technologies that are strategically important for Europe. This includes startups and scale-ups developing innovative solutions, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to bring their products to market, large companies working to expand production capacities within Europe, research organizations and universities conducting cutting-edge research, and public-private partnerships that combine industrial expertise with innovation. If your company is driving forward technologies that matter for Europe’s future, the funding opportunities mobilized through STEP could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
Whether you are working on a new AI-powered tool, producing semiconductors in Europe, advancing biotech therapies, or developing clean energy solutions, STEP offers an opportunity to access EU support and grow your impact. The platform is especially relevant for companies and organizations that aim to contribute to Europe’s industrial independence and leadership in sectors that are crucial for its future economy, sustainability, and security.
To benefit from STEP, the first step is to identify which of the existing EU funding programs is best suited to your project. For research and innovation, Horizon Europe remains the key program, while InvestEU can provide investments and financial guarantees for scaling up. If you are working on clean energy or climate-related innovation, the Innovation Fund could be the right path. The Connecting Europe Facility focuses on infrastructure projects, while the Recovery and Resilience Facility and Cohesion Funds target broader economic and industrial transformations. To be funded under a given STEP call, projects need to comply with the specific rules of the relevant funding programme, as defined in the work programmes and relevant calls for proposals, including eligibility, selection, and award criteria.
When applying to these programs, projects that contribute to strengthening Europe's technological autonomy, supporting the green and digital transitions, and addressing strategic dependencies may be awarded the STEP Seal. Projects being awarded a seal will be promoted on the STEP Portal. This will provide them with additional visibility towards investors and may help attract public and private funding by certifying their quality and contribution to the STEP objectives.
To ensure the best possible chance of success, it is also recommended to consult National Contact Points (NCPs) for tailored advice, connect with innovation clusters working on similar technologies, and stay updated on STEP through the European Commission's platforms and news.
Curious to Know More?
The official STEP platform, hosted by the European Commission, provides detailed information on how the initiative works, which technologies are prioritized, and how to get involved. You can visit it here: STEP - Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform. Also, you can find a complete list of all calls under STEP.
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Building Europe’s Tech Leadership - Be Part of the Change!
In this newsletter, we've highlighted STEP – the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform – a key initiative designed to keep Europe competitive, independent, and resilient in a rapidly changing world. By focusing on critical technologies and coordinating investments, STEP offers a major opportunity for European innovators, companies, and researchers to drive the solutions that will shape Europe’s economic and technological future.
If you’re working on breakthrough innovations or industrial solutions that could support Europe’s green and digital transition, STEP is the platform to explore and engage with now.
Image source: Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform