The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS) has announced a public call STEP – Incentives for the Development and Production of Strategic Technologies for Europe, which is financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund. The call is part of the European STEP platform, a new mechanism designed to strengthen technological sovereignty, reduce strategic dependencies and accelerate the green and digital transition in the European Union.
The call supports projects of companies and public research organizations in the field of critical and emerging strategic technologies – from digital and deep-tech innovations to clean technologies and biotechnologies. Special emphasis is placed on the development and production of solutions that strengthen the resilience of the European economy and create long-term effects for industry, the environment and society.
The SAŠA and Zasavje regions are eligible for additional benefits in the establishment or expansion of production
Within the framework of the regional state aid scheme, the call also brings additional benefits for the SAŠA and Zasavje areas, which, due to their status as coal regions, are eligible for higher co-financing intensities for investments in production (Module C). This enables companies in both regions to have more competitive conditions for the development and expansion of strategic technologies and accelerates the restructuring of local economies.
Purpose, objective and subject of the public call and area of implementation
The purpose of the call is to contribute to the objectives of the STEP platform, namely to:
- increase EU sovereignty and security,
- reduce EU strategic dependence,
- strengthen EU competitiveness, resilience and productivity,
- mobilize funding for the green and digital transition.
The aim of the call is to support companies and public research organizations (PROs) in projects in the field of:
- digital technologies and deep-tech innovations,
- clean and resource-efficient technologies,
- biotechnologies.
A list of examples of potential areas for investment and innovation is available HERE.
In the clean technology sector, projects on decarbonization, energy efficiency, energy security, autonomy, development of the internal energy market are also eligible, especially in the direction of developing innovative technologies and innovative technological processes with synergistic effects of increasing the use of RES, energy efficiency, energy storage, zero-emission mobility within smart energy systems to increase autonomy of energy supply and by reducing dependence in the field of energy supply.
Projects must be classified in at least one priority area of S5 (Smart Cities and Communities, Horizontal Network of Information and Communication Technologies, Smart Buildings and Homes with Wood Chain, Networks for the Transition to a Circular Economy, Sustainable Food Production, Sustainable Tourism, Factories of the Future, Health – Medicine, Mobility and Materials as End Products).
Subject of the call
Co-financing of projects in three modules:
- Module A: research and development,
- Module B: testing and experimental infrastructure,
- Module C: establishment or expansion of production.
PROs are not eligible for funding in Module C.
Projects are submitted in one of the following sets:
- Set 1: A
- Set 2: A + B + C
- Set 3: A + B
- Set 4: A + C
- Set 5: C
Module B can only be financed if it is a key and specific infrastructure for strategic technologies and cannot be implemented independently.
Area of implementation
Projects can be implemented exclusively in the Eastern Slovenia Cohesion Region. The applicant or partner must have its registered office/subsidiary/branch in the region no later than the date of commencement of activities.
Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries are:
- companies of all sizes with registered office in the Republic of Slovenia (in accordance with ZPOP-1),
- EU companies that open a branch in Eastern Slovenia Cohesion Region by the start of implementation,
- PROs (as organizations for research and dissemination of knowledge).
In consortia, all partners who sign the consortium agreement are eligible. A consortium can consist of 1-5 consortium partners.
General conditions
Key conditions include:
- registered office in the Republic of Slovenia or a commitment to establish a branch in Eastern Slovenia Cohesion Region,
- project implementation in Eastern Slovenia Cohesion Region,
- settled obligations to the state and implementing institutions,
- must not be in insolvency proceedings,
- must not be a company in difficulty,
- prohibition of double financing,
- settled obligations for the repayment of aid,
- the company must be established for at least 2 years (with certain exceptions),
- at least 3 employees on 31. 12. 2024,
- 2024 revenues must reach at least 1/3 of the planned eligible costs (with exceptions),
- credit rating SB6 (with exceptions),
- an individual subject can appear in a maximum of three roles, but only in one as a leader,
- PROs may not act as independent applicants.
Special conditions for consortia
Key conditions include:
- all partners must meet the conditions,
- a mandatory consortium agreement with clearly defined elements (activities, financial plan, authorizations, joint and several liability, payment arrangements),
- the leading partner must not be a PRO,
- there must not be more than 25% direct ownership connection between the partners,
- the same legal representative must not lead more partners,
- maximum of 5 partners in the consortium.
Project conditions
The project must:
- be consistent with the purpose and subject of the call,
- be classified in one of the sets of point 4.2,
- have clearly defined objectives,
- address critical technologies,
- meet the criteria of criticality (innovation or reduction of EU strategic dependence),
- last a maximum of 36 months, until 31. 5. 2029,
- have a co-financing value between EUR 1 and 10 million (The approximate amount of available funds is EUR 60 million),
- have a maximum of EUR 1 million in personnel costs per partner,
- have a maximum of 30% co-financing for PROs in the consortium,
- have a closed financial structure,
- take into account the rules of cumulation of state aid,
- keep separate accounting records,
- obtain all permits for investments before the last claim,
- have a location consistent with the municipal spatial act (if construction is involved),
- respect the principle of equal opportunities and non-discrimination,
- must not include excluded content (nuclear power plants, tobacco, airports, fossil fuels, etc.).
Criteria for evaluation and selection
Total 100 points + 5 additional for location.
Criteria:
- Project excellence (0–25)
- Social and economic impact (0–50)
- Competence of the applicant/partners (0–10)
- Project planning (0–15)
- Location (additional 5) – for border problem areas of the RS
An application with 0 points in any criterion (except 1.2 and 5) is eliminated.
The deadline for submitting applications is 15. 4. 2026 (electronically only until 2 p.m.).
The tender documentation is available at the LINK on the ARIS website. Additional information regarding the preparation of applications and clarifications to the tender documentation are available on the basis of a written request sent to the e-mail address jr.step@aris-rs.si. Answers are published on the ARIS website and are part of the tender documentation.
Electronic application of projects to the public call JR STEP takes place exclusively via the web application ARRS Digital Forms, which allows the submission of all necessary forms and attachments in digital form. Before starting to fill in the application, applicants must ensure adequate access to the system and a correctly configured digital signature, as electronic signing is a mandatory part of submitting the application. The system also enables the cooperation of several users with different roles, which makes it easier for applicants to prepare and coordinate project documentation.
The Instructions are intended for all those who are accessing the portal for the first time or want to refresh their knowledge of application procedures, password management, adding users and using different user roles. Special emphasis is also placed on digital signing, which is a mandatory part of submitting forms and requires a properly installed signature component.