New funding opportunities for innovative companies – Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)

The European Commission has approved Programme Amendments for FENG (Fundusze Europejskie dla Nowoczesnej Gospodarki [European Funds for the Modern Economy]) to help advance the cause of the STEP initiative, which is to support the development of critical technologies. This means that the EU has consented to creating two new financial instruments: Fundusz Wsparcia Technologii Krytycznych [Critical Technologies Support Fund] and Fundusz Transformacji Cyfrowej i Przyjaznej dla Środowiska [Digital and Environmentally Friendly Transformation Fund], which will offer grants and preferential loans for investment and R&D projects to companies in the above-mentioned critical areas. Calls for applications will be invited starting from the third quarter this year.

Critical Technologies Support Fund will be addressed to companies implementing novel R&D projects and investing in STEP’s strategic areas. Funding will be offered to biotechnology sectors, digital technologies and solutions promoting the growth of clean and resource-efficient technologies. Applications for funding will also be accepted from companies planning to develop dual-use (i.e. civilian + military) technologies.

 

The Programme's budget is 4 billion zloty. 

New calls for applications will be announced soon, with funding applications being accepted from July 2025.

At the same time, the ministry is preparing to launch the Digital and Environmentally Friendly Transformation Fund, which will offer preferential, partially forgivable loans. It will be addressed to companies seeking to increase their competitiveness, lower their production costs, develop new products and services and improve digitalisation and cybersecurity as part of their business.

The Fund’s budget is around 800 million zloty.

Calls for applications will be launched soon, possibly even in July this year.

Small, medium and large enterprises operating independently or in consortia will be able to apply for attractive support for their planned investment ventures and R&D projects starting from the third quarter this year.

Do you have an idea, or want to pursue a project or develop a product meeting the criteria of these programmes?

Contact us​ – we will help you prepare the application, select the appropriate support instrument and increase your chances for winning funding.