What is European Defence Fund (EDF)

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is the European Union’s flagship programme for supporting collaborative defence research and capability development. The EDF supports companies across Member States develop innovative and interoperable defence technologies and equipment. Within the budget of nearly €7.3 billion for 2021-2027, €2.7 billion is allocated for collaborative defence research. Under EDF, the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) was implemented by the European Commission to accelerate defence innovation across Europe, particularly by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, scale-ups, and non-traditional defence actors. The goal is to strengthen European leadership in defence innovation through diverse funding and support mechanisms, such as hackathons, and defence innovations, enabling public and private sectors to collaborate effectively and bring advanced technologies to market.

The program represents unique opportunity for innovators across different sectors (medical, industrial deep tech, telecom, energy, mobility, digital, space etc.) to finance R&D and validation of innovative defence technologies, including those originally developed for civil applications (dual use). Topics include:

• Robotics & autonomous systems
• Space & satellites
• Advanced- & nanomaterials
• Photonics
• Quantum computing & sensing
• Communication & connectivity
• Semiconductors
• Artificial Intelligence
• Digitisation & cybersecurity
• Health & Life Sciences

Work Programme 2026

For 2026, a comprehensive work programme for European Defence Fund (EDF) has been adopted by the European Commission. With a designated budget of almost €1 billion for collaborative research and development (R&D) in the field of defence. EDF work programme 2026 include multiple thematic calls across different defence categories:

• Defence medical response, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear- biotech/human factors
• Cyber, digital transformation and information superiority
• Advanced sensors
• Space
• Energy resilience and environment
• Materials and components
• Air combat, air and missile defence
• Ground combat, force protection and mobility
• Naval combat and underwater warfare
• Simulation and training

In addition to thematic calls, the quarter of the EDF funding is dedicated to implementing the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), which supports targeted measures promoting innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including start-ups and mid-caps.

EUDIS support includes funding for Technological Challenges, spin-in calls, cascade funding, but also annual defence hackathons, matchmaking, business coaching for SME beneficiaries, and the Defence Equity Facility under InvestEU. €92 million will be dedicated for non-thematic calls for proposals for disruptive defence technologies and SMEs. In 2026, all successful EDF SME beneficiaries will be offered business coaching, to guide them in their business challenges to reach the defence market.

Programme General Aim & Objective

EUDIS is designed to lower entry barriers for SMEs, startups, and other non-traditional defence actors, giving them broader access to EDF resources. The programme’s objectives include:

• Supporting innovation through hackathons, technological challenges, and innovation hubs.
• Encouraging civil-defence cross-fertilisation to bring dual-use technologies to market.
• Facilitating defence readiness through collaboration and advanced R&D

Key innovation areas include: Medtech & life science, Quantum computing & sensing, Communication & connectivity, Robotics & autonomous systems, Semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence, Digitisation & cybersecurity, Space & satellites, Advanced- & nanomaterials, Photonics.

Apply Now: Non-Thematic Calls

EDF supports innovative SMEs primarily through three non-thematic R&D calls with deadlines approaching on 29 September 2026. Calls are open to any type of innovation (including those developed for civil applications) addressing solutions for defence in terms of operations, equipment, infrastructure, energy solutions, surveillance systems or digital solutions and beyond.

Non-thematic Research – SMEs and Research Organisations

• Budget: €35 million
• Grant: up to €5M
• Funding rate: 100%
• Project duration: 12-36 months
• Timeline: Deadline: 29 September 2026; Results: March 2027; GA signature: 31 December 2027
• Consortium: At least three independent applicants from three different EU states (including Norway); SMEs or Research Organizations (max 40% of budget), coordinator must be an SME

EUDIS Innovation Tracks in 2026

The EUDIS supports six distinct innovation activities designed to foster defence innovation within the European Union. These tracks are tailored to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and other non-traditional defence industry actors at various stages of their innovation journey.

• Hackatons: Identify promising entrepreneurs and tackle EU defence sector innovations
• Matchmaking: Connect SMEs/innovators together, industry opportunities, attract international investors and networking opportunities
• Business Accelerator: 3 months programme to accelerate, mentoring and training from top European companies, access to top European companies for further collaboration
• Defence Equity Facility (for investors): €1M return on EU programme investors, finance decentralised defence
• Grants and coaching for SMEs: Non-thematic R&D calls for SMEs & R&D organisations, thematic calls for Technological Challenges, thematic calls to promote disruptive technologies, cascade to defence