The STEP 2026 and SWICH 2026 calls for proposals under the PR ERDF 2021–2027 Programme have been officially published. Together, the two measures make €80 million available to support research, development and innovation projects carried out by businesses and the research ecosystem in Piedmont.
Applications may be submitted from 9:00 a.m. on 15 July until 12:00 p.m. on 4 August 2026, unless the available budget is exhausted earlier. Subject to the availability of remaining resources, a second application window is scheduled from 8 September to 29 October 2026.
SWICH 2026 supports industrial research, experimental development and innovation activities, as well as the industrialisation and commercialisation of research results. The measure covers the entire innovation value chain, from research through to market uptake, including feasibility assessment, validation and investment planning.
STEP 2026 is dedicated to projects developing critical technologies in the strategic sectors identified by the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), namely:
- digital and deep technologies;
- clean and resource-efficient technologies;
- biotechnologies.
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Regione Piemonte online application system.
Detailed information, application documents and guidance are available on the dedicated pages for the STEP 2026 and SWICH 2026 calls.