Investments in these technologies are timely. There will be huge amounts of money waiting at NCBR

• NCBR launches STEP program. This is a platform for strategic technologies for Europe. The first calls for proposals will start in July.
• The budget of the program at NCBR is PLN 1.6 billion. - It supports technologies that are very important for the innovation, competitiveness and security of the European Union - says the deputy head of the Center.
• Bożena Lublińska-Kacprzak was a guest of EEC Members. This is a project that integrates the community of participants and partners of the European Economic Congress .

The first recruitment for the STEP program, operated by the National Center for Research and Development, will begin in July. As Bożena Lublińska-Kacprzak, the first deputy director of the agency, argues, it is strategic and horizontal in nature.

The programme aims to strengthen technologies across the EU

- This is a program that focuses on technology areas that are very important for the innovation, competitiveness and security of the European Union - says the WNP interlocutor.

As he adds, the program covers many sectors and member states of the Community, operating at the pan-European level. And it will be implemented thanks to funds from the European Funds for Modern Economy program.

Biotechnology, digitalization and green technologies among the priorities

The programme focuses on three key areas:

1. digitalization,
2. biotechnology,
3. green technologies.

- These are the areas in which we have been observing the most applications for years - admits the deputy director of NCBR. - Even if the programs were not focused on them, our applicants - whether companies or consortia with scientific units - still submit the most applications for them. I think that will not change - she emphasizes.

- The digital economy is the area of ​​the economy that is developing the fastest - adds Lublińska-Kacprzak.

As reported by NCBR, technologies in the STEP program will be considered critical if they meet any of the following conditions:

• they bring to the EU internal market an innovative, cutting-edge and groundbreaking element (a combination of at least two of these elements is required) with significant economic potential or
• contribute to limiting or combating the strategic dependence of the Union.