Opening soon PR South-East — Action 1.8 STEP: pre-selection of project outlines for SMEs (strategic technologies)
SMEs in the South-East Region submit STEP project sheets between 2 and 30 November 2026 (digital/deep-tech, clean technologies, biotechnologies). The ERDF allocation is €10 million. Preselected projects submit their application in MySMIS2021 in the first quarter of 2027.
- Who can apply
- Micro-enterprises and SMEs established under Companies Law no
- Total budget
- EUR 10 million (ERDF)
- Submission period
- 2 Nov 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
Checked against official sources on · funder: South-East Regional Development Agency · official source
The guide has not been published yet, but good applications are built before launch. Those who start when the call window opens usually miss out on it.
Who can apply
Micro-enterprises and SMEs established under Companies Law no. 31/1990, with their registered office or a secondary office in the South-East Region, that have operated for at least one financial year before submission. The investment must be made in one of the counties of Brăila, Buzău, Constanța, Galați, Tulcea or Vrancea.
What it covers
- Digital technologies and deep-tech innovation, including advanced digital technologies and solutions based on cutting-edge scientific, technological and engineering advances
- Clean and resource-efficient technologies
- Biotechnologies, including technologies relevant to critical medicines
- The component for developing the necessary skills
We prepare your application before the window opens
- We analyse whether you qualify and under which programme exactly.
- We build the application: business plan, budget, supporting documents.
- We submit during the call window and follow the evaluation.
- We stay with you through the reimbursement file and final payment.
Frequently asked questions
When can STEP project sheets be submitted to ADR South-East?
Project sheets for Action 1.8 STEP under the South-East Regional Programme can be submitted between 2 November and 30 November 2026. The announcement does not specify opening or closing times.
Who can submit a STEP project sheet in the South-East Region?
Micro-enterprises and SMEs established under Law no. 31/1990, with their registered office or a secondary office in the South-East Region and at least one financial year of activity before submission, can apply. The investment must be made in Brăila, Buzău, Constanța, Galați, Tulcea or Vrancea.
Which technologies can be funded under Action 1.8 STEP?
Three areas are covered: digital technologies and deep-tech innovation, clean and resource-efficient technologies, and biotechnologies, including those relevant to critical medicines. Projects may also include a skills development component.
What is the budget of the STEP call under the South-East Regional Programme?
The allocation for Action 1.8 STEP is €10 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Does a STEP project sheet mean I receive the funding?
No. The current stage is only a preselection. Sheets that receive the STEP technical substantiation opinion are placed on the preselected list, and the funding application is submitted later in MySMIS2021, estimated for the first quarter of 2027. Funding is granted only to projects that complete all the stages.
How many project sheets can a company submit?
Each applicant can submit a single project sheet, in the standard format set out in Annex 1 to the Preselection Guide.
How long does it take to prepare the application?
It depends on the complexity of the project and the documents you already have. The first step is the eligibility analysis, which tells you what needs to be prepared.
What happens if I do not qualify?
We tell you before any contract is signed, and if another suitable programme exists, we point you to it.
Next step
We prepare your application until it opens — PR South-East — Action 1.8 STEP: pre-selection of project sheets for SMEs (strategic technologies)
Fill in the form and we will tell you whether you qualify. If you do not qualify under this programme, we will tell you which other one you could apply for — or that there is none, if that is the case.
or call us directly on 0755 167 167
Other programmes
North-East Regional Programme 2021-2027 — Investments for the modernisation of micro-enterprises, Call 2 (PR/NE/2026/P1/RSO1.3/2/1)
De minimis grants of 100,000–300,000 EUR for micro-enterprises in the North-East region. Funding covers production or service capacity, new technologies and automation, marketing and branding, and digitalisation. Budget: 20.37 million EUR. Submit in MySMIS2021 by 28 October 2026, 14:00.
Call window closedPR Bucharest-Ilfov – technological modernisation of micro-enterprises (call PR BI P1/1.8/1/2025)
Grants of 25,000–300,000 euro (maximum 90%, de minimis) for micro-enterprises in urban Bucharest-Ilfov: equipment, technologies, software and production premises. The call closed on 17 February 2025 and no new call window has been announced.
Call window openPR South-West Oltenia 2021-2027 – Support for the development of strategic technologies (STEP)
Competitive call under PR South-West Oltenia (Priority 9, STEP), open until 18 January 2027, 12:00: grants of €500,000–10,000,000 for SMEs, large companies and research organisations in Oltenia. Budget: €27,631,500 from the ERDF.