Emilia-Romagna STEP Strategic Technologies EU Call for investments

The Emilia-Romagna Region is launching the second call to support investments and research and development (R&D) projects in the strategic technologies sector. The call, which refers to the European STEP Platform, makes 45 million euros available to support companies and is part of the Emilia-Romagna 2021-2027 ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Regional Program.

BENEFICIARIES

The call is open to both SMEs and large enterprises, whether they already have an operational unit in Emilia-Romagna or commit to establishing one according to the terms of the call.

ELIGIBLE SECTORS AND TYPES OF INVESTMENT

The Region intends to support companies operating in the three STEP areas:

  • Digital and deep tech technologies
  • Clean and resource-efficient technologies
  • Biotechnologies

The Region supports companies in these categories through two specific actions:

  • INVESTMENTS (Action 1.6.1): Projects for the development and manufacturing of critical technologies and the safeguarding/strengthening of related value chains, including both final products and components.
  • RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (Action 1.6.2): Projects involving research and innovation activities linked to the development and manufacturing of critical technologies with a high TRL (Technology Readiness Level). Specifically, R&D interventions must start at TRL 6 and reach TRL 8.

Investments and research activities must involve technologies capable of:

  • Introducing innovative, emerging, and cutting-edge elements;
       and/or 
  • Contributing to reducing or preventing the EU strategic dependencies.

The funded technologies must be brought to market and generate an economic impact.

MINIMUM ELIGIBLE COST

Projects must meet the following minimum total eligible cost requirements (otherwise, they will be deemed ineligible):

  • Not less than €1,000,000 for INVESTMENT projects (Action 1.6.1);
  • Not less than €1,000,000 for RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT projects (Action 1.6.2).

MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT

  • €3,000,000 for INVESTMENT projects (Action 1.6.1)
  • €3,000,000 for RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT projects (Action 1.6.2)

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Applications for the grant must be submitted to the Region during one of the following windows:

  • First window: From 10:00 AM on February 5, 2026, to 1:00 PM on February 27, 2026.
  • Second window: From 10:00 AM on May 4, 2026, to 1:00 PM on May 29, 2026.
  • Third window: From 10:00 AM on September 1, 2026, to 1:00 PM on September 30, 2026.

Each company can submit one application for Action 1.6.1 (INVESTMENTS) and one application for Action 1.6.2 (RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT) across all three windows. Each window has a budget of €7.5 million for Action 1.6.1 and €7.5 million for Action 1.6.2.

Rollover Clause: A project deemed eligible in one window will be automatically included in the ranking of the following window, unless the company waives its position and submits a new application.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Tag
Incentives
Innovation