Open public call »STEP – Incentives for the development and production of strategic technologies for Europe (JR STEP)« in the amount of EUR 60 million

The public call »STEP – Incentives for the development and production of strategic technologies for Europe (JR STEP)« has been published, which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), within the framework of the European Cohesion Policy Program in the period 2021–2027. The funds of the call are intended for operations that will be carried out exclusively in the program area of the cohesion region of Eastern Slovenia. In 2026, we expect the publication of a new public call for the cohesion region of Western Slovenia.

In accordance with the objectives of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP platform), the purpose of the public call is to contribute to:

• the sovereignty and security of the European Union,
• reducing the strategic dependence of the European Union in strategic sectors,
• strengthening the competitiveness of the European Union by increasing its resilience and productivity, and to mobilizing financing in order to prepare the economic, industrial and technological base for the green and digital transition.

The aim of the public call is to support companies and public research organizations for the implementation of projects in the field of critical and emerging strategic technologies and their value chains, namely in the sectors of:

• digital technologies and deep-tech innovations and/or
• clean and resource-efficient technologies and/or
• biotechnology.

Eligible applicants: Companies can apply either as independent applicants or in a consortium of up to five consortium partners.

The amount of funds available for the public call is EUR 60,000,000.00. The types of eligible costs depend on the eligible activities of each module. Applicants’ projects can consist of one or more modules:

• Module A: research and development,
• Module B: establishment of test and experimental infrastructures,
• Module C: establishment or expansion of production.

The planned duration of the project is a maximum of 36 months and must be completed no later than 31. 5. 2029.

The deadline for submitting applications is up to and including 15. 4. 2026, until 2:00 PM.

The tender documentation is available on the ARIS website and STEP Slovenia under the tab Aktualno.

Additional information regarding the preparation of applications and clarifications to the tender documentation are available on the basis of a written request sent to the e-mail address jr.step@aris-rs.si.

Questions to the above address must arrive no later than ten (10) working days before the deadline for submitting applications. ARIS will publish answers to questions no later than five (5) working days before the deadline for submitting applications, provided that the question was submitted in a timely manner.

On January 27, 2026, an information day will be organized in Maribor (Hotel City). We are collecting applications HERE!