Application deadline: 30 April 2026
Two new funding calls have been launched under Portugal 2030 to support industry-driven R&D and innovation projects focused on the development and manufacturing of critical technologies aligned with the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).
These calls create opportunities for collaboration between Portuguese companies, research institutions, and international partners, including teams from The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) within the framework of the UT Austin Portugal Program – Phase IV.
Projects should aim to accelerate the development of strategic technologies with strong industrial impact while strengthening Europe’s technological leadership and competitiveness.
Funding Opportunities for Collaborations with UT Austin
Both calls include dedicated budget allocations for projects involving the American partner universities of the FCT International Partnerships:
- The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
These allocations aim to reinforce international collaboration and support the development of strategic technologies with strong industrial and societal impact.
For projects involving UT Austin teams, the participation of UT researchers will be funded through the UT Austin Portugal Program budget at UT, while Portuguese partners are funded through the Portugal 2030 programs.
Applications must be led and submitted by Portuguese consortia.
STEP I&D&I Empresarial – Energy
Call reference: COMPETE2030-2026-1
Total budget: €86,250,000
Budget for International Partnerships (UT Austin, CMU, MIT): €8,625,000
This call supports projects focused on the development of critical technologies for clean and efficient energy systems, including solutions that contribute to carbon neutrality and sustainable energy production.
*Funding under Portugal 2030 is available only for Portuguese consortia. Participation of UT Austin teams is supported through the UT Austin Portugal Program budget at UT.
STEP I&D&I Empresarial – Digital and Biotechnology
Call reference: MPr-2026-2
Total budget: €153,000,000
(€150M COMPETE2030 + €3M PO Algarve)
Budget for International Partnerships (UT Austin, CMU, MIT): €15,300,000
This call supports projects in areas such as:
- Digital technologies, including those contributing to the objectives of the EU Digital Decade 2030
- Deep-tech innovation
- Biotechnologies, including molecular biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology applied to agriculture
*Funding under Portugal 2030 is available only for Portuguese consortia. Participation of UT Austin teams is supported through the UT Austin Portugal Program budget at UT.
Project Format and Eligibility
Projects must be submitted in copromotion, involving:
- Companies of any size, and/or
- Entities from the Portuguese R&I system (ENESII)
Projects are expected to focus on advanced technological maturity levels (TRL ≥ 6) and should aim to:
- Develop and manufacture critical technologies
- Strengthen European strategic value chains
- Contribute to the competitiveness and technological autonomy of the European Union
Within the scope of R&D investments, the following activities are also eligible:
- Industrial Research (TRL 4)
- Experimental Development (TRL 5–8)
Strategic Context
The STEP calls are part of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), launched by the European Commission on 1 March 2024 to strengthen Europe’s technological leadership in digital technologies, clean technologies, and biotechnology.
Through coordinated investment, the initiative seeks to enhance European competitiveness, strategic autonomy, and industrial capacity, while reinforcing critical technology value chains across the continent.
Call for Collaboration with UT Austin
The UT Austin Portugal Program encourages researchers and industry partners to explore opportunities to develop joint projects involving Portuguese institutions and teams from The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) under the current funding calls.
Early engagement between Portuguese companies, research groups, and UT Austin researchers is strongly encouraged in order to build competitive consortia and maximize the impact of collaborative projects.
Applications must be led and submitted by Portuguese consortia.
Collaboration Requirements under the UT Austin Portugal Partnership
For projects developed within the framework of the UT Austin Portugal Program, the following conditions must be ensured:
The collaboration must be demonstrated through a written commitment from UT Austin, specifying:
- The complementarity of competencies between Portuguese and U.S. teams
- The shared responsibility of the U.S. partner teams in project activities and in achieving the expected results
- The additional funding components of the project, particularly those supported by U.S. universities or other funding sources within the partnership agreements
Under this call, only Portuguese companies and ENESII entities are eligible for funding through Portugal 2030 programs. Activities of U.S. universities will be funded through the mechanisms established under the UT Austin Portugal partnership agreements.
Project proposals must therefore present an integrated vision of collaboration between Portuguese teams and teams from the American partner universities.
Support and Contacts
Queries on Call Rules and Funding Procedures
Linha dos Fundos
Phone: +351 800 10 35 10 (09:00–18:00 | toll-free)
Email: linhadosfundos@linhadosfundos.pt
Programa Inovação e Transição Digital (COMPETE 2030)
Email: info@compete2030.gov.pt
Support for UT Austin Collaboration and Matchmaking
For support with matchmaking with UT Austin researchers, or for questions regarding participation and funding rules for UT Austin teams, please contact:
Marco Bravo
bravo@austin.utexas.edu
Please copy the UT Austin Portugal Program Office in Portugal:
research@utaustinportugal.org
Application Deadline
30 April 2026
More Information
STEP – I&D&I Empresarial | Energy
STEP – I&D&I Empresarial | Digital and Biotechnology
