🛡️💶 The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is expanding its reach to support EU defence technologies, thanks to the recent adoption of the Defence mini-omnibus Regulation! Key developments: · The Regulation, in force since 23 December 2025, extends STEP’s scope to include defence technologies alongside digital, clean, and bio technologies. · It aligns with the mid-term review of the cohesion policy framework, creating new incentives for EU Member States and regions to fund defence-related investments. · A second STEP Guidance Note was published on 23 December 2025, clarifying the scope of defence technologies and other implementation details. · Over EUR 27bn in EU funding has already been allocated to strategic technologies under STEP since its launch in March 2024. · All funding calls, including for defence, are available on the STEP calls dashboard: https://lnkd.in/eZ769bvX STEP is now a key driver for innovation in EU defence, digital, clean, and bio technologies, fostering competitiveness and security.