ΕΠΙΧΟΡΗΓΟΥΜΕΝΑ
ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΑ
ΕΠΙΧΟΡΗΓΟΥΜΕΝΑ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΑ
Two new grant programmes under the “Competitiveness 2021–2027” Programme have been pre-announced, aiming to support businesses that operate or plan to invest in sectors related to Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP) and Defence & Security (Defence).
The first Action, addressed to Small, Micro and Medium-sized Enterprises, has a total budget of €80,000,000 and supports investment projects ranging from €50,000 to €400,000 for existing enterprises and up to €300,000 for new or start-up enterprises.
The aid rate amounts to 50% for existing enterprises and 67% for new or start-up enterprises, with a maximum grant amount of €200,000.
The programme concerns investments in sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, microelectronics, clean and green technologies, biotechnology, dual-use technologies, defence applications and security systems.
Eligible expenditure may include, among other categories, personnel costs, equipment, buildings and facilities, software, certifications, know-how, patents, consultancy services, promotion and networking, subject to the terms that will be specified in the detailed Call for Proposals.
At the same time, a second Action has also been pre-announced for Medium-sized and Large Enterprises, with a total budget of €120,000,000, supporting investment projects ranging from €2,000,000 to €6,000,000, with aid rates from 40% to 60%.
Medium-sized enterprises are included in both pre-announcements and, provided they meet the conditions of each Call, may consider participating in the Action that best suits the size and nature of their investment.
Total Budget
€80,000,000
Aid Rate
50% – 67%
Investment Amount
€50,000 – €400,000
Maximum Grant
€200,000
Eligible beneficiaries are Small, Micro and Medium-sized Enterprises. The subsidised investment project may range from €50,000 to €400,000 for existing enterprises and up to €300,000 for new or start-up enterprises.
For existing enterprises, the aid rate amounts to 50%, while for new or start-up enterprises it reaches 67%. The maximum implementation period is expected to be up to 18 months from the electronic notification of final approval.
Public expenditure is allocated across four separate categories:
• STEP – existing enterprises: €20,000,000
• STEP – new / start-up enterprises: €20,000,000
• Defence – existing enterprises: €20,000,000
• Defence – new / start-up enterprises: €20,000,000
The pre-announcements concern investment projects related to critical technologies and applications that can strengthen the technological, productive and industrial base of Greece and the European Union.
• Digital technologies and deep-tech innovation.
• Clean and resource-efficient technologies.
• Biotechnology and health technologies.
• Defence industry applications and dual-use technologies.
• Development of production capacity and employment creation.
This category may include investment projects relating, indicatively, to:
• Artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics.
• Cybersecurity, blockchain and critical infrastructure protection.
• Microelectronics, semiconductors, photonics and quantum technologies.
• Cloud / edge computing, robotics, automation and Industry 4.0.
• 5G, advanced connectivity and high-performance computing.
Indicative investments include renewable energy sources, energy storage, batteries, hydrogen, fuel cells, energy efficiency in industrial processes, circular economy solutions, green supply chains, electric mobility and charging infrastructure.
Indicative activities may include biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, pharmaceutical production, biological medicines, medical technologies, digital health, agricultural biotechnology, bioeconomy, diagnostic tools and biomarkers.
The Defence strand is linked to defence, security, dual-use technologies and the strengthening of the defence industrial base. Indicative activities may include:
• Cyber defence, threat intelligence and information security.
• Security of defence networks, communications and systems.
• Artificial intelligence for defence applications.
• Sensors, radar systems, surveillance systems, drones and autonomous systems.
• Satellite communications, advanced materials and dual-use technologies.
• Defence supply chains, 3D printing and simulation / training systems.
Participation in the SME Action is subject to key requirements that will be further specified in the final Call for Proposals. Based on the pre-announcement, the main requirements include:
• An eligible NACE activity code prior to the electronic submission of the funding application.
• The investment project must relate exclusively to one or more eligible NACE codes.
• Existing enterprises must have completed at least one full financial year.
• At least one Annual Work Unit (AWU) of salaried employment during the calendar year preceding the application, based on data from the ERGANI information system.
The pre-announcement states that enterprises whose primary NACE code falls within the eligible sectors are entitled to participate. A duly documented declaration of activity is also accepted for companies whose secondary NACE codes fall within the eligible sectors.
The general categories of eligible activities include IT and digital technologies, clean energy and clean tech, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, defence and dual-use technologies.
Eligible NACE Codes – SME Action
Eligible expenditure will be specified in detail in the final Call for Proposals. Based on the pre-announcement, eligible categories are expected to include:
• Personnel expenditure and salary costs for newly hired employees.
• Equipment, vehicles, instruments, production and mechanical equipment.
• Buildings, facilities, surrounding areas and energy-efficiency equipment.
• Technical studies, consultancy services, certifications and transfer of know-how.
• Patents, intellectual property, software, SaaS and cloud computing.
• Advertising, promotion, networking and indirect expenditure, subject to the limits that will be defined.
Expenditure related to the production, processing, transport, distribution, storage or combustion of fossil fuels is not eligible.
The second pre-announcement concerns Medium-sized and Large Enterprises, with a similar focus on STEP and Defence sectors, but with different financial thresholds, aid rates, geographical scope and implementation period.
Total Budget
€120,000,000
Aid Rate
40% – 60%
Investment Amount
€2,000,000 – €6,000,000
Maximum Aid
€3,000,000
Public expenditure amounts to €120,000,000 and is equally allocated: €60,000,000 for STEP and €60,000,000 for Defence.
• Medium-sized enterprises – Defence investments: 50%
• Large enterprises – Defence investments: 40%
• Medium-sized enterprises – STEP investments: 60%
• Large enterprises – STEP investments: 50%
The implementation period is expected to be up to 24 months from the electronic notification of final approval. The Action applies throughout Greece, with the exception of the Region of Attica. The investment project must constitute an initial investment creating a new economic activity in a specific area.
Eligible NACE Codes – Medium-sized / Large Enterprises Action
Funding applications will be submitted electronically through the Integrated State Aid Management Information System (OPSKE), without the requirement to submit a physical file of supporting documents.
The planned evaluation methodology is comparative evaluation. Applications will therefore be scored according to criteria to be defined in the detailed Call for Proposals and will not simply be assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Licensing maturity and availability of the investment site.
• Documentation of the investment project's climate resilience.
• Financial position, creditworthiness and securing the private contribution.
• Relevance of the investment project to STEP or Defence objectives.
• Employment creation.
During the evaluation and verification process, cross-checks through national databases such as AADE and ERGANI are expected to be carried out in order to verify the information declared by applicants.
Before publication of the detailed Call for Proposals, it is advisable to assess key aspects relating to eligibility, relevance and the technical maturity of the investment project.
• Eligibility of the primary or secondary NACE code.
• Connection of the investment with STEP or Defence.
• Investment budget in relation to the thresholds of the appropriate Action.
• Investment location, licensing requirements and technical studies.
• Private contribution and documentation of the productive, technological or defence-related nature of the investment.
The information provided is based on the pre-announcement. The detailed Call for Proposals that will follow will definitively determine the participation requirements, application dates, supporting documents, evaluation criteria, eligible expenditure and all other implementation details.
The pre-announcement does not constitute a final Call for Proposals and does not create a binding entitlement to funding. The final terms, criteria, supporting documents and deadlines will be established in the detailed Call for Proposals.
For existing Small, Micro and Medium-sized Enterprises, the aid rate amounts to 50%, while for new or start-up enterprises it amounts to 67%, with a maximum grant amount of €200,000.
No. A medium-sized enterprise cannot participate simultaneously in both Actions. Medium-sized enterprises are included in both pre-announcements, but only one Action may be selected. The appropriate choice depends on the conditions of each Call, the size of the investment project, the implementation area and the nature of the investment.
The programmes cover investments in strategic technologies, digital and deep technologies, clean technologies, biotechnology, defence applications, dual-use technologies and security systems.
For existing enterprises, the eligible investment amount ranges from €50,000 to €400,000. For new or start-up enterprises, the maximum eligible investment amount is €300,000.
The second pre-announcement concerns investment projects ranging from €2,000,000 to €6,000,000, with maximum aid of €3,000,000, aid rates between 40% and 60%, and implementation throughout Greece except for the Region of Attica.
No. This is a pre-announcement. Application dates, required documentation and final terms will be determined by the detailed Call for Proposals.
The Investment Center [Blackbird Group], with more than 16 years of experience in EU-funded and ESIF programmes, provides comprehensive support including eligibility assessment, estimation of the expected evaluation score and the preparation and submission of a fully documented investment project for the STEP / Defence programmes.
More than 10 years of experience in business development and investment support schemes
✓ 3,000+ subsidised investment projects
✓ 95.6% success rate (approved applications)
16 Consecutive Years of Experience & Success!
See our success rates across a large number of applications submitted by our firm. 100% of the applications submitted under recent comparable programmes were approved:
✓ 96% Approval Success Rate (2025–26): “Support for the Establishment of New Tourism Enterprises”
✓ 100% Approval Success Rate (2024–25): “Support for the Establishment and Operation of New SMEs”
✓ 100% Approval Success Rate (2024): “Green Productive Investment”
Our consistently high success rates reflect the systematic preparation, documentation and structured support required for subsidised investment programmes.
Interested in applying or requesting a preliminary assessment for the STEP / Defence programmes?
For more information, you can request a preliminary assessment or contact the Investment Center by telephone.
Request a Preliminary Assessment Call UsFor more information, request a quotation or contact us:
Tel.: 210 8028330 & 2810 823002
Email: info@kei.gr
