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STEP

Regione Puglia, the regional government, has created a set of investment incentive schemes that offer generous funding for investors, making Puglia one of the best places to start, finance and expand a business in Europe.

STEP is one of the regional incentive schemes, operating on an open-window for applications basis, starting from 05/08/2025, which is managed by the regional finance agency Puglia Sviluppo S.p.A., designated by Regione Puglia as the Intermediary Organism.

STEP

(Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform)

(Regional Programme 2021 2027 – RP Puglia ERDF ESF+ 2021-2027)

With resources of over €471.5 million, the Puglia Region has launched the STEP Call. The initiative stems from the region's membership in the Platform for Strategic Technologies for Europe (hence the acronym STEP), established by the European Commission with Regulation (EU) 2024/795 . The Platform aims to support the competitiveness and strengthen the strategic autonomy of the European Union through investments in so-called "critical" technologies.

For technologies to be considered “critical”, they must provide the internal market with an innovative element with significant potential or contribute to reducing or preventing the Union's strategic dependencies in the areas of digital and deep learning technologies. tech ” (i.e. innovations that offer transformative solutions); biotechnology; clean tech (i.e. clean and resource-efficient technologies).

The regional notice is aimed at incentivizing the development or manufacturing of "critical" technologies.

The Notice was published on July 31, 2025 and republished on March 23, 2026 with some changes, which were acquired on the platform from March 24, 2026.

Among the main new features are the ability to propose industrial research and experimental development projects without the need for additional production investments, an increase in the maximum cost threshold for industrial research and experimental development, and the eligibility of expenses for participation in trade fairs.

In summary, the beneficiaries of the measure are large companies, SMEs, micro enterprises, technology startups, and innovative companies, while the investment programs must concern the critical technologies of the STEP Platform.

Businesses can submit projects with a minimum amount of €3 million for large companies and €1 million for SMEs, technology startups, and innovative companies, with a maximum of €110 million (in eligible expenses and costs) for large companies, €50 million for medium-sized companies, €40 million for small companies, €20 million for innovative startups for productive investments, and up to €40 million for large companies and €20 million for SMEs for R&D.

A maximum threshold of €500,000 has also been introduced for SMEs for expenses related to consultancy and internationalization services, and a further €500,000 for expenses related to participation in trade fairs.

An essential condition is that the investment headquarters be located or to be located in the Puglia region.

Funding may be granted to industrial research and experimental development projects that achieve a TRL (Technological Readiness Level) of at least 8, starting from a TRL of at least 5; production investments related to industrial research and experimental development projects; production investments to be made following certifiable R&D activities already carried out by the applicant; and production investments with R&D activities aimed at significantly improving the state of the art of industrial investment. In each of these cases, the projects must concern the STEP sectors.

These proposals may be associated with training programs aimed at consolidating and strengthening the competitiveness of the regional economic system, auxiliary services and consultancy, including participation in trade fairs, if they form an integral part of the investment cost of a STEP program.

The incentive is a non-repayable grant, ranging from 25% to 80% depending on the type of investment, the size of the companies, and the bonuses awarded.

The measure uses funds from the Puglia Regional Programme ERDF ESF+ 2021-2027 and is managed by Puglia Sviluppo as an intermediate body.

The instrument is active starting from August 5, 2025. The multi-year measure is operational without expiry.

Applications must be submitted exclusively electronically through the online procedure "STEP Program", on a dedicated platform, available at the link

https://smart.sistema.regione.puglia.it.

Upon submission of the application, a regional protocol and a CUP are assigned to each company.

The proposal is being evaluated by Puglia Sviluppo SpA.

 

Below: the Determination and the Notice, the summary sheet and links for further information.

For further information and to download attachments:

For further information:

 


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