STEP: support for R&D and advanced technologies
In cooperation with the Agency for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has launched two calls for proposals under the STEP platform. These calls are aimed at supporting industrial research and experimental development in advanced technological solutions, as well as productive investments dedicated to the development or manufacturing of critical technologies.
STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) focuses on four key areas of strategic technologies:
- Biotechnology: genomics, cell therapies, biopharmaceuticals, medical countermeasures, etc.
- Clean technologies: solar technology, wind energy, batteries and energy storage, heat pumps and geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and nuclear technologies, etc.
- Digital and deep-tech: artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, 5G and 6G networks, advanced semiconductors, cyber security, autonomous systems, etc.
- Defence and security technologies: air and missile defence, drones, military mobility, cybernetics, etc.
Projects under both calls must be in line with the STEP objective, which is to support the development or production of critical technologies in the EU and to protect and strengthen the relevant value chains. They must bring an innovative, emerging or cutting-edge element with significant economic potential.
The STEP Application call is aimed at supporting industrial research and experimental development in companies. It builds on previous calls under the OP TAC Applications programme, which have long been among the key instruments for supporting R&D in the Czech Republic. The project must deliver a concrete result (e.g. a prototype or functional sample, a proven technology, software or a pilot plant}. Support may be provided for personnel costs, tooling and equipment costs, materials and components, overheads, and external services. A subsidy of up to CZK 120 million can be obtained per project. The aid intensity for large enterprises has been set at 25–65 per cent of total eligible expenses. Applications for support will be accepted from 17 July to 30 September 2026, and the project is expected to be completed by 30 June 2029 at the latest.
The STEP Investment call focuses on productive investments in the development and production of critical technologies. In the area of development, support is provided for the acquisition of machinery, equipment and components necessary for the production of prototypes and their refinement. In the area of production, support is provided for the establishment of production lines and facilities that are the first of their kind, the expansion or change of use of existing production capacity, or the scaling up of the production process. The resulting project must reduce the European Union’s strategic dependence. The maximum subsidy amount is CZK 200–250 million; the aid intensity for large enterprises may reach up to 60 per cent of the project’s eligible expenses, depending on the region in which the project is implemented. Applications for support will be accepted from 17 July to 15 October 2026.
The funds for allocation for each call are CZK 2 billion. Projects under both calls may be implemented throughout the Czech Republic, excluding Prague.
Should you be interested, we would be happy to provide further information.