Strategic Technologies
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Strategic and emerging technologies are of broader strategic importance because of their potential impact on the economy, science and society. Their development is important for the long-term competitiveness, resilience and technological capabilities of Slovenia and the European Union.
At EU level, strategic and critical technologies are defined within individual policies and instruments. Under the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), technologies are considered critical where they bring to the internal market an innovative, emerging and cutting-edge element with significant economic potential or contribute to reducing or preventing strategic dependencies and vulnerabilities of the European Union.
Specific technology areas are defined by individual European and national strategic documents and instruments. Examples of technologies that European strategic frameworks consider critical include artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductor technologies, quantum technologies and biotechnologies.
In the field of research and innovation, the Ministry focuses primarily on developing knowledge, competences and research and innovation capacities, connecting the research and business sectors, and supporting the participation of Slovenian stakeholders in European and international programmes, partnerships and initiatives in areas of strategic technological importance. The broader framework of measures supporting research, development and innovation activities is presented on the Innovation page.
The Alliance for Research and Innovation 2026–2028 (content in Slovenian) directs investment across the full spectrum of technology readiness, from basic research to the transfer of knowledge into practice and the market. Its priority areas include clean technologies, digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.
Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships (SRIPs)
Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships (SRIPs) are an important mechanism for long-term cooperation among companies, research organisations, higher education institutions and other stakeholders in common priority areas. They bring together research and business capacities and enable the joint development of strategic directions and cooperation in developing new solutions.
SRIPs operate within the currently applicable Slovenian Sustainable Smart Specialisation Strategy (S5) (content in Slovenian), which directs development investment towards areas in which Slovenia has knowledge, capacities and innovation potential. Through the partnerships, stakeholders also contribute to strengthening value chains and international cooperation.
Digital and key enabling technologies are also an important horizontal component of S5. S5 defines ten priority areas, with Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships currently operating in nine of them:
- SRIP Smart Cities and Communities (content in Slovenian)
- SRIP GoDigital
- SRIP Health – Medicine
- SRIP Smart Buildings and Home with Wood Chain (content in Slovenian)
- SRIP Sustainable Food Production
- SRIP Networks for the Transition to the Circular Economy
- SRIP Mobility
- SRIP Factories of the Future
- SRIP Materials as End Products – MATPRO
Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)
At EU level, increasing attention is being paid to strategic and critical technologies because of their importance for competitiveness, resilience and technological capabilities, as well as for reducing strategic dependencies.
The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is an EU initiative supporting the development and manufacturing of critical technologies, strengthening their value chains and developing the skills needed in these areas. To this end, STEP channels funding from existing EU programmes and contributes to strengthening European competitiveness and technological capabilities while reducing strategic dependencies.
STEP focuses on four areas:
- digital technologies and deep-tech innovation,
- clean and resource-efficient technologies,
- biotechnologies,
- defence technologies.
European Competitiveness Fund (ECF)
For the 2028–2034 period, the European Commission proposes establishing a European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) to support strategic technologies and strengthen European competitiveness. The proposal forms part of the EU’s next multiannual financial framework and is currently under consideration.
The proposed Fund focuses on four areas:
- clean transition and decarbonisation,
- digital transition,
- health, biotech, agriculture and bioeconomy,
- defence and space.
The ECF is intended to simplify access to EU funding and provide more integrated support for the development, deployment and scaling up of strategic technologies. The European Commission proposes close links with the future Horizon Europe 2028–2034 research and innovation framework programme, strengthening support from research and innovation through to the deployment and scale-up of new solutions.
Quantum Technologies
Quantum technologies are among the strategic technology areas with significant potential for future scientific, economic and technological development.
In 2025, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Strategy for the Development of Quantum Technologies in Slovenia until 2035 (content in Slovenian), Slovenia’s first national strategic document in this field. The Strategy covers research, human resources, infrastructure, knowledge transfer and support mechanisms, and sets out measures to strengthen Slovenia’s quantum ecosystem.
The Strategy addresses the development of quantum technologies through four technology pillars: quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum communications, and quantum sensing and metrology.
Slovenia also participates in European and international initiatives and cooperation in the field of quantum technologies, contributing to stronger research excellence, knowledge and competences and to closer integration into the European research and innovation landscape.
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Strategic Documents
- Resolution on the Slovenian Scientific Research and Innovation Strategy 2030 (pdf, 1.4 MB)
- Alliance for Research and Innovation 2026–2028 (content in Slovenian) (docx, 96 KB)
- Slovenian Sustainable Smart Specialisation Strategy (S5) (content in Slovenian) (pdf, 2.7 MB)
- Strategy for the Development of Quantum Technologies in Slovenia until 2035 (content in Slovenian) (pdf, 2 MB)