Your R&D project is too big to run on your own
The STEP line for business R&D in digital and biotechnology funds projects run jointly by companies and research bodies. We structure the consortium and the application.
- Share technical risk and costs with research partners
- Access equipment and skills the company does not have in-house
- Higher support rates where there is effective cooperation
Calls with their own calendar — confirmed in the diagnosis
Start PME assessment
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Funding
Calculated for your project
Programmes
Portugal 2030, RRP and others
Region
Mainland Portugal
Eligible businesses
Companies doing R&D in software, data or artificial intelligence, Biotechnology, health and life sciences companies, Consortia between companies and universities or interface centres, Technology startups with a product under development
The opportunity
Why this funding is worth exploring
The incentive reduces the financial burden of the investment and accelerates projects already planned by the business.
Shared research
The consortium splits tasks and costs between company and research body.
Priority technologies
Digital, data, artificial intelligence and biotechnology are at the core of this line.
From lab to market
Funds development, prototyping and validation up to technology demonstration.
Who can apply
- Companies with organised accounts and technical capacity
- A consortium including at least one research or interface body
- A project with technical objectives and measurable results
- Tax and social security compliance
- Work not started at the application date
What it can fund
- Technical team assigned to the R&D project
- Scientific equipment and instrumentation
- Research services contracted from universities and centres
- Trials, prototypes and technology validation
- Industrial property registration arising from the project
Not sure whether your project qualifies? Receive an answer within 24 business hours.
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Other funding linked to this project
Many companies combine more than one incentive. Check the related pages before deciding.
How Start PME works
From assessment to payment, with support at every stage
We work through clear stages so you always know what happens next.
- 1
Free assessment
We review the business profile, investment and region to confirm eligibility and the applicable rate.
- 2
Strategy and eligibility
We select the right call, structure the project and maximise the available uplifts.
- 3
Application submitted
We prepare the project description, investment plan and forecasts, and submit everything on time.
- 4
Delivery and payments
We support procurement, payment claims and reports through to project completion.
5,000+
Applications submitted
€50M+
Approved eligible expenditure
€27M+
Approved non-repayable funding
82%
Approval rate
Experience and trust
Trusted by the clients we have supported
Proven results and genuine feedback from Start PME clients.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the questions holding back your decision
Find out in two minutes whether funding is available for your business
Free assessment, reply within 24 business hours and no obligation.

