STEP – Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform

What is the STEP programme?

STEP – Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform is a new European lever to support the development and manufacturing of critical technologies, designed to strengthen the European Union's strategic autonomy in key areas. In the context of Portugal 2030, this programme stands out as a unique opportunity for companies and consortia operating in strategic sectors, allowing access to reinforced funding, increased support rates, and new application possibilities for large enterprises.

Main objectives of STEP

STEP aims to:

• Support the development and/or manufacturing of critical technologies in the following technological sectors:
• Digital technologies and deep tech innovation;
• Clean and resource-efficient technologies;
• Biotechnologies;
• Reduce EU strategic dependencies, promoting security of supply and European production capacity;
• Promote positive cross-border effects within the internal market;

Types of eligible actions

The actions supported by STEP fall into two strands:

• Technological development: projects that promote significant technological advances or relevant improvements in critical technologies, adjusting them to market needs;
• Manufacturing: creation of new production lines, conversion or expansion of facilities, or reinforcement of production capacity to meet European demand.

Types of fundable expenses

The following are eligible:

• Productive investments (including for large enterprises);
• Research and Development (R&D);
• Human Resources;
• Intellectual Property and Certification;
• Project Dissemination and Operationalisation;
• Co-promotion activities with European strategic impact;

Eligible STEP Sectors

The programme is focused on strategic technologies that represent the future of the European economy's competitiveness and resilience. In Portugal, the following sectors are considered priorities:

Microelectronics and semiconductors

• Covers research, design, and manufacturing of chips, components, and infrastructure for integrated circuits.
• Beneficiary industries: electronics, automotive, telecommunications, defence.

High-performance computing (HPC)

• Includes the development of supercomputers and advanced data infrastructure.
• Beneficiary industries: pharmaceutical, energy, scientific research, climate.

Quantum technologies

• Application of quantum physics to computing, sensors, communications, and security.
• Beneficiary industries: cybersecurity, defence, health, critical systems.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

• Development of algorithms, models, and systems that learn, reason, and make decisions.
• Beneficiary industries: logistics, finance, retail, health.

Cybersecurity

• Technologies for the protection of networks, systems, and critical data.
• Beneficiary industries: IT, banking, utilities, public administration.

Biotechnology

• Focus on genetic engineering, biopharmaceuticals, advanced diagnostics, biomaterials.
• Beneficiary industries: pharmaceutical, health, agriculture.

Renewable energies

• Production and storage of clean energy: solar, wind, green hydrogen, batteries.
• Beneficiary industries: energy, transport, sustainable construction.

Net-zero technologies

• Decarbonisation, carbon capture, energy efficiency, and circular processes.
• Beneficiary industries: chemical, metalworking, cement, paper, transport.

Advantages of STEP for companies

• Possibility for large enterprises to apply, even individually;
• Reinforcement of support intensities: an increase of 10 percentage points in less developed regions;
• Additional one-off pre-financing of 30%, promoting liquidity;
• Support in co-promotion with universities, startups, or other stakeholders;
• Support for projects with the STEP Seal – “Sovereignty Seal”, streamlining the project evaluation and selection process.

STEP represents a paradigm shift in access to public incentives. By combining technological ambition with reinforced funding, the programme drives Portuguese companies to integrate into European value chains in areas critical to the future.

If your company operates in one of these sectors or intends to invest in projects with strategic impact, STEP could be the right instrument to transform innovation into competitive advantage.