"Strategic Technologies for Europe Programme" (STEP) now also supports defense technologies

Second guide includes digital technologies and defense technologies

06.02.2026

The EU Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) supports the development and production of critical technologies that are important for the EU's competitiveness. This also includes the necessary skills and jobs.

The Commission published a second guide in December, which updates the previous guide and now also covers defense technologies. Here, "defense technologies" fall within the scope of STEP together with three other technology areas:

Digital Technologies and Deep Tech Innovations
Clean and resource-efficient technologies
Biotechnologies

In concrete terms, this means that several of the EU funding programs covered by STEP now support technologies with potential dual-use applications, i.e. for both civilian and defense purposes. These technologies with dual-use potential include advanced cyber and AI solutions, space infrastructure, CBRN and medical countermeasures, and certain advanced materials. If technologies have a dual-use character, they may be relevant for several STEP sectors and therefore eligible for funding.

Further information
An overview of the calls that STEP supports can be found here in the STEP calls dashboard.