Overview
This call forms part of the implementation of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and aims to support innovative productive investment operations focused on the manufacturing of critical technologies and/or on the strengthening and preservation of their respective value chains, within the fields of digital technologies, deep tech innovation and biotechnology.
Supported operations must contribute to reshaping the specialisation profile of the Portuguese economy, by promoting differentiation, diversification and enhanced external competitiveness, in full alignment with the objectives set out in the STEP Regulation.
Supported operations must contribute to reshaping the specialisation profile of the Portuguese economy, by promoting differentiation, diversification and enhanced external competitiveness, in full alignment with the objectives set out in the STEP Regulation.
Beneficiaries
Eligible beneficiaries include companies of any size, nature and legal form. The geographical scope covers mainland Portugal, specifically the NUTS II regions of Norte, Centro, Alentejo and Algarve, with the location of the operation determined by the establishment where the investment is carried out.
Application Period
Applications are open until 30 April 2026.
Eligible Expenditure
A. Tangible assets, including machinery and equipment, costs directly attributable to their installation, and IT equipment, including software;
B. Intangible assets, including patents, licences, non-patented technical knowledge, and standard software or software developed specifically for the project;
C. Other investment-related costs (SMEs), including engineering services, studies, diagnostics, audits, marketing plans, architectural and engineering projects, as well as costs related to certified accountants or statutory auditors for the validation of expenditure.
In duly justified cases, the construction of buildings, refurbishment works and other construction activities may also be eligible, within the limits defined in the call for proposals.
Eligible Actions
Support may be granted to operations which, in line with the objectives of STEP, involve the manufacturing of:
− Final products within the scope of critical technologies;
- Specific components and machinery primarily used in the manufacturing of critical technologies;
- Critical raw materials relevant to the production of critical technologies;
- Associated services that are specific and essential to the manufacturing of final products.
Eligible investments must qualify as an initial investment or an initial investment in favour of
a new economic activity, and fall within one of the following categories:
- Creation of a new establishment;
- Diversification of the activity of an existing establishment, provided that the new activity is not the same as or similar to the activity previously carried out;
- Diversification of production into products or services not previously produced or provided by the establishment;
- Fundamental change in the overall production process or overall service provision of an existing establishment.
Nature, Form and Aid Intensity
Support is granted in the form of a non-repayable grant, calculated on the basis of eligible actual costs.
Funding rates are established under Article 24 of the REITD and apply as follows:
Base Aid Rates:
- 30 percentage points for small mid-cap and large companies;
- 40 percentage points for medium-sized companies;
- 50 percentage points for micro and small companies.
Base aid rates may be increased by:
- 10 percentage points for investments located in the NUTS II regions of Norte, Centro and Alentejo;
- 5 percentage points for investments located in the Algarve, in accordance with the Regional Aid Map.
The overall aid intensity may not exceed: 50% for small mid-cap and large companies; 60% for medium-sized companies; 70% for micro and
small companies. Where the de minimis regime applies, only the base aid rates are applicable, subject to a maximum ceiling of €300,000 per single undertaking over a three-year period.
Applicable Legislation
Ministerial Order (Portaria) No. 429/2025/1, of 4 December, as currently in force.