VEMAR SAVJETOVANJE.
Grant - STEP SPIN

STEP SPIN: strategic partnerships.

Development of STEP strategic technologies. Experimental development is mandatory, together with a regional value chain and technological maturity.

UpcomingReview updated October 2026.
See also:All callsGrantsInnovation
The announced terms are based on a draft, plan or official announcement. Applications are not yet open; the final call may change the amounts and eligibility.

Who and where.

At least two unrelated enterprises, at least one of which is an SME. A research organisation can be a partner.

Pannonian, Adriatic and Northern Croatia

At least two unrelated enterprises, at least one SME

Lead applicantenterprise
Partnerunrelated enterprise
Research organisationcan be a partner
Pannonian CroatiaAdriatic CroatiaNorthern CroatiaCity of Zagreb not eligible

What can be funded.

Development of STEP strategic technologies. Experimental development is mandatory, together with a regional value chain and technological maturity.

TRL 5–8, implementation up to 24 months

Technology readiness of the project (TRL)

The project must be within TRL 5–8.

Amount and intensity.

€3–10 million per project. For experimental development under the draft: small 60%, medium 50%, large enterprises 40%.

Allocation €145 million

Intensity for experimental development, under the draft

  • Small enterprise60%
  • Medium enterprise50%
  • Large enterprise40%

€145 million allocated across three regions

Under the draft call. A project is funded from the allocation of the applicant’s region.

Status and preparation.

The public consultation on the draft closed on 14 October 2026. The call has not yet been published. The consortium, development plan and financing structure are being prepared.

Applications not yet open

  1. Draft and public consultationclosed 14 October 2026
  2. Call publicationdate not yet published
  3. Applicationsafter the call is published

Eligible costs.

  • Project team costs and related indirect costs, under the draft.
  • Contract research, development, intellectual property and other eligible external services.
  • Equipment depreciation, materials and other direct development costs, within the eligible scope.

What to check before deciding.

  • At least two unrelated enterprises, including at least one SME.
  • The project and partnership must match STEP technologies and regional rules.
  • Pannonian, Northern and Adriatic Croatia; the City of Zagreb is not an eligible region.
  • Terms are from the draft: the partnership and budget are re-checked after publication.
The public consultation on the draft has closed. Final terms and application deadlines have not yet been published.

How we prepare the project.

First we check the activity, the size of linked enterprises, the location, the costs and the start date. Then we align the budget, own funds and the evidence this instrument requires.

During preparation we agree the responsible people, documents and deadlines. After approval we track procurement, costs, reporting and indicators. See how we manage implementation.

  1. Eligibility check

    activity, company size, location, start date

  2. Budget and evidence

    costs, own funding, evidence

  3. Application

    responsible people, documents, deadlines

  4. Decision

    the competent authority decides on the award

  5. Implementation

    procurement, costs, reports, indicators

Want to know when the call opens?

Send us a short email and we will let you know as soon as the call opens.

Notify me when it opens →

The request applies to this call only. Personal data processing

Sources and review date.

Reviewed: October 2026. The current call, its amendments and the official documentation prevail.

Related calls and instruments.

Tax reliefOpen

R&D tax relief

250–400% of costs as an additional reduction of the tax base

Sector
Activities with in-house research and development
Large enterprises
YES - subject to the call's terms
What can be funded
Staff, depreciation of research equipment, contract research, knowledge and patents, and other directly related eligible costs.
Deadline / availability
Application before the project starts
Terms, costs and preparation
Loan with capital rebateOpen

HBOR: energy efficiency

Loan up to €3 million; write-off up to 50%

Sector
Eligible manufacturing, commercial and service activities
Large enterprises
YES - subject to the call's terms
What can be funded
Energy-efficiency measures in processes and buildings, plus eligible renewable energy (RES). Energy savings must be verifiable.
Deadline / availability
Rolling, via commercial banks
Terms, costs and preparation
GrantOpen
179 days to the deadline

Innovation vouchers for SMEs

€2,000–10,000

Sector
Businesses developing a product, service or process
Large enterprises
NO - SMEs / target group only
What can be funded
Services of scientific research organisations: testing, trials, demonstration activities and technical expertise.
Deadline / availability
30 April 2027, 11:00
Terms, costs and preparation

Explore available funding opportunities.

Tell us about your plans. In just 15 minutes, we'll identify the funding opportunities that may be suitable for your project and outline the next steps.

Free consultation
Call us Free consultation