PEO STEP-VET: €45.8 million for on-the-job training in critical technologies, until 31 December

The Managing Authority for the Education and Employment Programme (PEO) has launched the STEP-VET competitive call, with a budget of €45,786,298 from ESF+, for on-the-job training in critical technologies for pupils in vocational and technical, dual and post-secondary education. Projects are submitted in MySMIS2021 between 29 October 2026, 16:00, and 31 December 2026, 16:00. The funding covers 100% of eligible costs.

In brief

• Programme: Education and Employment (PEO) 2021–2027, Priority 12, action 12.a.1
• Authority: Ministry of Investments and European Projects, PEO Managing Authority
• Beneficiaries: vocational, technical, dual and post-secondary education institutions, employment service providers, public or private practice partners from the STEP sectors, partnerships
• Total budget: €45,786,298 (ESF+)
• Intensity: 100% funding, with no co-financing from the beneficiary
• Submission period: 29 October 2026, 16:00 – 31 December 2026, 16:00, in MySMIS2021
• Status: call launched on 28 October; submission opens on 29 October 2026, 16:00

Who can apply?

According to the published guide, applicants can be vocational and technical education institutions, including dual and post-secondary ones, employment service providers and practice partners, public or private, from the STEP sectors. Partnerships are also accepted. The target group consists of young people enrolled in vocational, technical, dual and post-secondary education programmes.

What activities are funded?

• A1: career guidance and counselling in critical STEP technologies;
• A2: on-the-job training programmes for pupils in STEP technologies (mandatory activity);
• A3: developing or adapting the pre-university educational offer in eligible STEP fields.

Activity A2 must be included in every project.

How much is funded and how is the budget allocated?

The guide indicates 100% funding of eligible costs, with no co-financing. The allocation by region is 4.96% for developed regions and 95.04% for less developed ones. I did not find the value per project in the pages I opened; it is set by the full guide, in the ZIP archive attached to the announcement.

How and by when do you apply?

Applications are submitted exclusively in MySMIS2021, by 31 December 2026, 16:00 at the latest. The deadline includes the winter holidays, so preparation must be done in November.

What this means for your business

Recommendation: if you have a company in the technology fields targeted by STEP (check the list in the guide), you can become a practice partner. Do not wait for schools to approach you.

• Contact the vocational and technical schools in your area in good time and propose a practice agreement.
• Check whether your field falls within the critical STEP technologies in the guide.
• Prepare the evidence: premises, tutors, equipment, history of collaboration with schools.
• A common pitfall: formal partnerships without real capacity to host pupils. It is worth being able to demonstrate this capacity.

You can quickly check the fit with the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

Can a private company apply directly?

The guide mentions practice partners, public or private, from the STEP sectors, and partnerships. The exact conditions for a private applicant should be checked in the full guide.

Do I have to provide co-financing?

No. The guide indicates 100% funding of eligible costs, with no co-financing from the beneficiary.

What is the deadline?

31 December 2026, 16:00, in MySMIS2021. The system opens on 29 October 2026, 16:00.

Which activity is mandatory?

A2, on-the-job training programmes for pupils in STEP technologies. A1 and A3 are the other activities provided for.

Official sources

• STEP-VET call launch announcement (EU Opportunities)
• STEP-VET applicant's guide
• Call page on mfe.gov.ro

Information checked on 28 October 2026. Conditions may be changed by the managing authority — check the guide in force before you submit.