Yes, INNTERCONECTA STEP aid is compatible provided that two different grants do not finance the same costs and that the funding intensity limits established by European state aid regulations (EU Regulation 651/2014) are not exceeded. It is important to review each call for proposals to avoid overlaps and to correctly justify the distribution of expenses between programmes.

Given that the programme requires a consortium, regional coverage, compatibility with STEP technologies, and technical and environmental documentation (including DNSH), it is recommended that you begin preparing your application at least 2–3 months before the closing date.

Starting early makes it easier to define the consortium, balance the budget, and ensure that all the documentation required by CDTI is in order.

Between €1,000,000 and €4,000,000, with a minimum of €175,000 per participating company.

You are eligible if you meet all of these basic requirements:

• You are part of a consortium of 2 to 6 companies, with at least 1 SME and autonomous entities.
• All companies have their registered office in Spain.
• The project is carried out in at least two eligible autonomous communities.
• Your proposal fits into STEP technologies: digital, clean or biotechnology.
  No company exceeds 70% of the total budget.
  You can subcontract at least 10% of the budget to research organisations.
  The project complies with state funding regulations and DNSH requirements.

If you meet these points, your consortium is a good candidate for INNTERCONECTA STEP.

Projects are evaluated according to four main criteria:

• Technology and innovation (up to 15 points)
• Technical quality and implementation plan (up to 30 points)
• Consortium capacity (up to 35 points)
• Socio-economic and environmental impact (up to 20 points)

To obtain a good score, it is essential to demonstrate technical soundness, complementarity between partners and a clear impact on strategic European technologies.

Defining a solid consortium, ensuring real input from research organisations, planning DNSH from the outset and maintaining a balanced budget.

Yes. A Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) statement issued by an accredited entity is required. The DNSH report demonstrates that the project activities do not significantly undermine the EU’s environmental objectives. Plan the DNSH process in advance — you may need technical evidence, supplier information and a certified opinion — and include the maximum allowable cost for the project representative in the budget.

If the budget available for the call is exhausted, CDTI may offer qualified applicants an alternative financing option, such as a Partially Repayable Loan (APR).

APRs have different repayment terms and eligibility requirements; they usually require a more solid financial record (proof of solvency, forecasts, guarantees).

If you prefer to remain in a grant-only scheme, you should be aware of the timing risk and consider preparing financial documentation as a contingency.

Staying up to date with calls for proposals and funding lines is essential for accessing the grants and subsidies your company needs. At Evolution Europe, we use advanced technology to identify the most suitable opportunities for your company.

With our Funding Search Tool, you will have immediate visibility of open calls for proposals at the national level—including CDTI, AEI, PERTEs, ministries, and other public programmes—so you can quickly identify the lines that best fit your project.