Interest in industrial research and experimental development among Czech companies has significantly strengthened in recent years. This was also confirmed by the premature closure of the Application – DEEP TECH IV call, which was terminated nine days earlier than originally planned due to the high number of applications. A large number of projects, the preparation of which was at an advanced stage, did not have time to be submitted to the call.
However, entities that did not manage to submit their projects to the call will have another grant opportunity this summer. Above all, the announcement of the follow-up calls Application V – STEP and Investment STEP is expected, which will create a new space for supporting industrial research, experimental development and related investments. At the same time, new public tenders of the TREND programme (Newcomers and Technology Leaders) should be announced during this year. Here, however, the dates and allocations are uncertain and not yet specific, as the program is dependent on the approval of the state budget.
If you are considering submitting a project to one of the upcoming calls, we will be happy to go through its parameters with you and propose the optimal submission procedure so that your project stands up to strong competition. The basic expected parameters of the key STEP challenges are presented below.
The STEP application supports industrial research and experimental development projects in strategic technological areas with the aim of strengthening competitiveness and technological sovereignty. It focuses mainly on:
The aim is to support the emergence of advanced innovations with high added value and potential for application on the market. The new feature is that the call will be open to all sizes of enterprises, while cooperation with SMEs is no longer necessary for large enterprises with more than 3,000 employees.
The STEP Investment subsidy call supports large-scale investments in the development and production of critical technologies that are of strategic importance and help reduce Europe’s dependence on imports of key solutions. The call is intended for projects aimed at building or expanding production capacities, introducing the first production lines, modernizing technologies or acquiring equipment for the development and testing of prototypes. At the same time, the project must demonstrate either a contribution in the form of cutting-edge innovation or a concrete impact on strengthening strategic independence.
Overview of subsidy calls – STEP applications vs. STEP investments
| Categories | STEP applications | STEP investments |
| Deadline for receipt of applications | 17. 7. 2026 – 30. 9. 2026 | To be specified (2Q/2026) |
| Eligible applicants | All sizes of businesses; VO as a partner | All business sizes |
| Aid rate | 25-85% CZV | 25-85% CZV |
| Financial limits of the project | 2-150 mil. CZK | 5–250 mil. CZK |
| Eligible costs | • personnel costs
• depreciation of machinery • contract research • external R&D services • material |
• Acquisition of machinery
• Equipment • Specific components |
| Place of implementation | The whole Czech Republic except for the capital city of Prague. Prague | The whole Czech Republic except for the capital city of Prague. Prague |
Whether you decide to submit a project to one of the current or planned calls, proper preparation is an essential prerequisite for success. We are ready to help you navigate the conditions of individual programs, assess the suitability of your intention and ensure professional processing of the application. Thanks to our experience, you will be sure that you are taking full advantage of the possibilities of subsidy support.
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