STEP Business R&D&I for Digital and Biotechnology supports integrated research, development and productive innovation projects focused on the development, scale-up and commercial production of critical digital and biotechnology technologies. In doing so, it reinforces strategic European value chains through consortia led by companies under the EU Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).
Programme details
Application deadline:30 April 2026
Beneficiary entities: Large companies, SMEs, micro-enterprises and startups (in co-promotion consortia)
Benefit: R&D activities: up to 80% funding and productive innovation activities: up to 70% funding, in accordance with regional aid maps and State aid rules.
- Minimum investment: €5,000,000
Geographic scope: Mainland Portugal (excluding Lisbon area)
About the funding
STEP Business R&D&I for Digital and Biotechnology supports integrated investment operations combining industrial research, experimental development and productive innovation.
Projects must target higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL ≥ 6), with limited activities allowed from TRL 4. The programme is designed to accelerate the transition from advanced development to industrial deployment and market introduction.
Eligible operations must contribute to the development, manufacturing or reinforcement of value chains of critical technologies in one of the following areas:
- Digital technologies, including deep tech and technologies aligned with the Digital Decade objectives
- Biotechnologies, including critical medicines and their components
Projects must align with STEP objectives, demonstrate innovation or strategic value-chain reinforcement, and lead to commercialisation or industrial deployment of results.
The maximum project duration is 36 months.
How it works
This grant requires the creation of co-promotion consortia led by companies and integrates both R&D and productive investment components within a single operation.
Projects must demonstrate:
- Strategic relevance within European critical technology priorities
- Technological maturity compatible with industrial deployment
- Clear contribution to competitiveness and value-chain strengthening
- Market-oriented outcomes resulting in commercial production or industrial implementation
The integrated structure allows companies to combine research and development efforts with investment in production capacity within the same funding framework.
Eligible investment expenses
R&D component:
- Personnel costs (technical staff, researchers, fellows)
- Acquisition and licensing of patents
- Consumables and raw materials
- Prototypes, pilot and demonstration components
- External scientific, technical and consultancy services
- Equipment, scientific instruments and specialised software (amortisation)
- Intellectual property protection costs
- Dissemination of results (non-commercial)
- Travel strictly related to R&D
- Certification, audits and financial validation costs
Productive innovation component:
- Machinery and equipment
- Tangible and intangible assets, including patents, licences, know-how and software
- Engineering services, studies, audits and technical services (for SMEs)
- Construction or refurbishment of facilities, within defined percentage limits
- Job creation costs, as an alternative in eligible regions
All expenses must be directly related to the approved project and comply with applicable regional aid and State aid rules.
Who can benefit from this incentive
This incentive is aimed at companies developing critical technologies within digital and biotechnology sectors, operating through structured co-promotion consortia.
It is particularly relevant for organisations that:
- Develop advanced technological solutions approaching industrial maturity
- Require scale-up investment linked to R&D outcomes
- Operate within strategic European value chains
- Intend to move from development stages to full industrial deployment
Understanding the rules and eligibility criteria of each incentive is essential to assess its relevance and potential impact within a company’s broader investment and tax strategy.
For clarification or further information, reach out through our contact form.
