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Horizon Europe · European Union

EIC STEP — EIC STEP Scale Up

Opens 18 Nov 2026

The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 30 awards of €10 million – €30 million each, from a total budget of €290 million. Applications close on 24 Nov 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.

Who can apply

Country restriction: participation is limited to SMEs, including start-ups, and small mid-caps 196 established in the Union, in Ukraine, or in an EEA member associated to Horizon Europe. In order to apply, your innovation must be within the scope of the priority sectors defined in the STEP regulation, which includes Critical Raw Materials, and further developed in the • Digital technologies and deep-tech innovations. This includes advanced semiconductor technologies; artificial intelligence technologies; quantum technologies; advanced connectivity, navigation and digital technologies; advanced sensing technologies; robotics and autonomous systems; Deep-tech innovations (see…

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

STEP-Biotech STEP-Cleantech STEP-Digital/deep tech

Timing

Next deadline 2027-11-24. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).

How to apply

1. Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
2. Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
3. Check the topic conditions for the minimum number of partners.
4. Prepare Part A (administrative forms and budget, completed in the portal) and Part B (the technical description on the official template for this type of action).
5. Submit in the portal before the cut-off time on the deadline day. Late submissions are not accepted.

From the call text

Who can apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Company stage

Country restriction: participation is limited to SMEs, including start-ups, and small mid-caps 196 established in the Union, in Ukraine, or in an EEA member associated to Horizon Europe.

Single applicant or consortium

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where applicants must be based

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where to apply

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Read the EU application guide

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the official source and were last checked 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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