Defence and dual-use funding in Europe

Space is treated as dual-use across EU funding; CASSINI gives space-defence start-ups an equity pipeline and visibility instruments that stack with EDF and EUDIS applications.

Not a programme you apply to as a company, but it determines which European VCs have fresh defence-mandated capital; track its fund commitments to know who can actually write you a cheque.

Debt, not grants: the EIB now finances defence companies that banks still avoid, and venture debt from its one-stop shop can extend runway without dilution once you have revenue or strong contracts.

The only EU instrument giving a single dual-use company both grant and equity with no consortium requirement; since June 2026 you no longer need to disguise defence relevance as purely civil.

If you are a European defence scale-up raising a €50m+ round, this is patient EU equity at a size national schemes rarely match, and the 20% anchor-investor requirement means you apply with your lead already engaged.

The lowest-friction EU entry point for defence start-ups: accelerator vouchers require no consortium and no equity, and the SME calls are reserved competitions where small companies do not face primes.

The largest recurring EU grant pot for defence R&D. If you can anchor into a three-country consortium, research actions are funded at up to 100% and SME bonuses raise development-action rates substantially.

This is the EU money for scaling factories, not R&D: if your bottleneck is production capacity for munitions, energetic materials or components, EDIP IRA grants are the direct route, and Ukraine-linked actions are funded at up to 100%.

Closed to new applicants; relevant only as the predecessor of EDIP IRA calls, which is where ammunition capacity funding now sits.

For defence-tech and dual-use SMEs, DIGITAL offers direct access to EU grants and procurement contracts in strategic areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and semiconductors—technologies with clear defence and security relevance. The EDIH network provides a low-barrier entry point for companies seeking technology testing, skills development, and access to larger project consortia. As calls under the 2025–2027 Work Programme are now open (closing September 2025), companies with deployable digital solutions targeting public-sector or cross-border use cases should evaluate eligibility immediately.

The EIC Accelerator is one of the largest single-company public funding mechanisms in Europe, combining non-dilutive grants with substantial equity tickets—making it highly relevant for capital-intensive deep-tech and dual-use defence companies that struggle to raise private rounds. The 2026 work programme marks a historic shift: for the first time an EU programme directly invests equity in defence companies via the STEP Scale-Up Defence call (EUR 100m envelope), opening a previously closed door for defence-tech SMEs. The streamlined application process (shorter forms, bi-monthly evaluations) further reduces the overhead cost of applying.

OPEX offers defence-tech companies and SMEs a rare, cost-free pathway to demonstrate technical maturity directly to military decision-makers and EU Member State end-users — without the constraints of standard peacetime regulations. Results from experimentation feed directly into European capability development, procurement, and standardisation decisions, accelerating the transition from prototype to deployable capability. For firms seeking visibility with EU-level defence institutions and a shortcut across the 'valley of death', selection for an OPEX campaign is a high-impact, non-dilutive opportunity.

For defence-tech SMEs and start-ups, EUDIS is the primary EU-level on-ramp to the European Defence Fund, specifically designed to reduce the complexity and scale requirements that exclude smaller firms from mainstream EDF calls. The combination of non-dilutive grants, equity co-investment, and structured acceleration (with direct matchmaking to investors and defence end-users) makes it a multi-stage funding pathway rather than a single call. Participation in EUDIS also positions companies for larger EDF consortium projects and builds visibility within Europe's defence industrial base.

With roughly €1 billion deployed per annual cycle, the EDF is one of the largest single sources of non-dilutive R&D funding available to European defence-tech companies and SMEs. The 2026 work programme amendments have halved application length and reduced award criteria, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for smaller firms. Companies awarded a STEP Seal gain access to additional complementary EU funding streams, making EDF participation a gateway to the broader EU defence-funding ecosystem.

Wound down; the demand-aggregation channel it pioneered now runs through EDIP common procurement calls in October 2026 and February 2027.

For deep-tech startups and scaleups, accreditation or affiliation with a funded ESSH hub unlocks cross-border access to labs, talent pools, corporate partners, and investors that would otherwise be unavailable locally. The network explicitly channels EIC-supported ventures into its services, making it a strategic complement to EIC grants and equity instruments. Hubs that win funding become focal points for pan-European deal-flow and visibility, giving member startups a significant scaling advantage in the single market.

Although not a defence instrument, some Cluster 6 topics (e.g. digital environmental observation, resilient communities, zero-pollution technologies) carry dual-use relevance for companies with environmental monitoring, sensing, or resilience capabilities. The large per-project ticket sizes (up to EUR 20m) and open eligibility for private companies, including SMEs, make this a substantial non-dilutive grant opportunity. Defence-tech firms with civilian environmental technology spin-offs or dual-use R&D pipelines should monitor relevant topics in destinations 4–7.

HEDI offers defence-tech companies and SMEs a structured, multi-stage pathway from idea to operational validation — including funded proof-of-concept activities, innovation prizes, and live field experimentation campaigns (OPEX) with military end-users — that can materially de-risk and accelerate route-to-market. Its 'Innovators Forge' and procurement innovation workstream create direct links between innovators and Member State capability requirements, improving the odds of eventual public procurement uptake. Companies engaging with HEDI also gain visibility within the broader EU defence innovation ecosystem (EUDIS, EDF, NATO DIANA), making it a strategic entry point for the European defence market.

For defence-tech and security SMEs with digital-twin, simulation, AI, or Earth-observation capabilities, this Industry Day offers direct visibility with Frontex procurement and R&I decision-makers across EU Member States' border authorities. Selection to present positions a company at the front of any subsequent tender or pilot, making it a low-cost, high-value business-development step. It also signals Frontex's evolving technology roadmap, allowing companies to align product development with emerging EU border-security requirements.

For SMEs and start-ups new to the defence sector, this call offers a low-barrier, non-dilutive entry point (up to EUR 60,000) into the EDF ecosystem without the complexity of a full EDF proposal. The accompanying six-month coaching programme and access to test infrastructure provides direct pathways to defence-market qualification and future larger-scale EDF opportunities. The inclusion of Ukrainian entities and the explicit newcomer-friendly eligibility criteria make it particularly relevant for deeptech companies looking to pivot into or validate their technologies for defence applications.

For early-stage deeptech and dual-use startups based in Eastern Poland, this is one of the few grant instruments specifically designed to bridge the gap between incubation and first revenues, offering up to PLN 600,000 in non-dilutive funding per company. Eligibility is tightly linked to completion of a recognised incubation programme, making it a natural next step for alumni of FEPW Platform Startowa accelerators. Recurring call cycles (multiple rounds per year) mean companies that complete incubation have a regular and predictable funding window to target.

AGILE is the EU's first dedicated fast-track innovation instrument for defence SMEs and start-ups, explicitly designed to cut time-to-field from years to months for AI, quantum, drone, and other disruptive technologies. Unlike EDF (which requires transnational consortia and covers research), AGILE allows single-entity applications at up to €5m per project and includes a direct link to procurement, making it a highly accessible and commercially relevant pathway for scale-ups seeking EU defence customers. Companies that align their product with Member State capability priorities and can demonstrate high TRL stand to benefit most from AGILE's simplified procedures and speed-focused mandate.

AGILE fills a critical gap left by slower instruments like EDF/EUDIS by offering a four-month time-to-grant and up to €5m per project — making it the fastest EU defence funding path available for SMEs and start-ups. The mission-driven, procurement-linked structure means successful projects have a clear route to actual deployment by Member States, reducing the typical valley of death between development and fielding. Companies developing dual-use technologies (e.g. AI, autonomy, quantum) adapted for defence applications are explicitly in scope, broadening eligibility beyond traditional defence primes.

For defence-tech companies and SMEs, the plan channels unprecedented public capital into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), creating a surge in state procurement that will favour European-headquartered contractors and subcontractors. The collaborative procurement requirement under SAFE incentivises cross-border partnerships, opening new teaming opportunities across EU, EEA, and Ukrainian defence primes. Startups and innovators in AI, quantum, cyber, and autonomous systems are explicitly called out as beneficiaries of upcoming contracts and the broader industrial ramp-up underpinned by this funding architecture.

For defence-tech companies and SMEs active in C-UAS or airspace surveillance, responding positions them as identified suppliers in EDA's vendor landscape ahead of future tenders across 27 Member States. The process is designed to promote competition and allow suppliers adequate preparation time, making early engagement strategically valuable. It also feeds directly into collaborative EU-level capability development aligned with agreed EU C-UAS priorities.

SAFE gives EU Member States access to competitively priced, long-duration sovereign-level financing specifically earmarked for defence procurement, which cascades down to defence-industry contractors and subcontractors established in the EU, EEA/EFTA states, or Ukraine. For defence-tech companies and SMEs, qualifying as a contractor or subcontractor on SAFE-funded national programmes is one of the largest near-term demand signals in European defence, covering hardware, systems integration, and dual-capable platforms. Poland's active participation (and the ongoing political debate about expanding eligible beneficiaries to border and internal-security services) signals that SAFE-linked procurement pipelines will be substantial and may broaden in scope.

SAFE unlocks an unprecedented volume of subsidised sovereign borrowing for defence procurement, making it the single largest EU-level demand signal for defence-industrial output in history — directly benefiting prime contractors and supply-chain firms whose products qualify under the instrument's European-content rules. SMEs and mid-caps that can integrate into multi-country consortia stand to access long-term, predictable order books backed by EU-guaranteed financing. Because Member States submitted loan requests totalling EUR 127bn by July 2025, procurement pipelines are already forming and companies need to position themselves in qualifying consortia now.

No direct application, but a STEP Seal on a strong EDF or EIC proposal is a portable quality label that other funders and national managing authorities recognise, and STEP's defence extension is what opened EU equity instruments to defence companies.

For defence-tech and dual-use companies active in resilience-critical infrastructure (energy grids, digital connectivity, transport corridors), this instrument offers access to long-term equity capital via intermediary infrastructure funds across 12 CEE EU member states. The fund explicitly targets cross-border projects that strengthen European resilience, making it relevant to companies whose technologies underpin secure energy, communications, or mobility infrastructure. Its fund-of-funds structure means the primary entry point is through qualifying regional infrastructure fund managers rather than direct project applications.

The only sovereign-backed VC dedicated to Alliance defence, security and resilience: patient capital comfortable with defence sales cycles, and a cheque that signals credibility to ministries and co-investors.

AFSC is the largest and most complex capability procurement effort NATO has undertaken, offering sustained long-term contracting opportunities for defence and deep-tech companies across all 32 Allied nations. Companies working in ISR, unmanned systems, space-based surveillance, AI/data fusion, cloud architectures, and C2 systems are directly in scope for national and multinational development contracts tailored to AFSC requirements. Entering the Realization Stage in 2026 signals that procurement contracts for actual capability delivery—not just studies—are now on the near-term horizon.

The fastest single door into NATO for a dual-use startup: non-dilutive cash, military end-users, test infrastructure, and since 2026 a direct contracting path to Allied ministries via the Rapid Adoption Service.

For a defence-tech company or SME, the Demand Signal provides the clearest public articulation of what NATO and its member nations will seek to procure, enabling firms to align R&D roadmaps and investor narratives with validated Alliance priorities. It also creates a bridge to downstream procurement and adoption pathways by signalling which technology areas have the highest likelihood of translating into real contracts across 32 Allied nations. Non-traditional suppliers in particular can use the Signal to make the case to both governments and private capital providers that their technology addresses operationally urgent, institutionally recognised needs.

A low-cost way to put a product in front of NATO's strategic commands and earn pilot work and visibility across 32 Allies, without a long procurement runway.

For a defence-tech or dual-use startup, NIF is the single most concentrated source of sovereign-backed equity in Europe, appearing in the cap tables of approximately 12% of leading European defence startups. Beyond capital, NIF provides direct access to 24 NATO governments as potential customers and partners, with portfolio companies already winning pilot contracts and testing relationships with Allied defence agencies. Its close coordination with NATO DIANA (which offers non-dilutive accelerator grants) means founders can access a complementary funding and validation pathway across both instruments.

The JFTC contracting pipeline is one of the more accessible NATO procurement entry points for SMEs, with a dedicated simplified-acquisition tier covering contracts up to EUR 800k that does not require the full IFIB process. Companies offering training support, simulation, logistics, IT, or professional services to the defence sector can register as suppliers and receive direct notification of new solicitations. Winning a JFTC contract establishes a verifiable NATO supply-chain reference, which is valuable for bidding on larger NATO and national defence contracts.

Not a company instrument: the grant must sit with government, academic or non-profit institutions. Relevant to defence-tech companies as end-users or research partners of a funded consortium, especially for C-UAS and EDT applied research feeding a product roadmap.

Defence-tech research teams embedded in or partnered with universities, public labs, or non-profits can access NATO-backed grant funding for applied C-UAS research — a rapidly ascending NATO priority given the proliferation of drone threats in modern conflict. The programme provides not only funding but also expert guidance, NATO-level visibility, and pathways to Allied end-users, making it a strong credibility signal for teams building counter-drone capabilities. Co-financing of up to one-third of the grant is possible, giving applicants flexibility in structuring their project budgets.

For NATO-nation defence-tech SMEs, this is a direct route to innovation contracts funded by NATO's CAP, with no requirement to have pre-existing Ukrainian partners — the portal's matchmaking system facilitates pairing. The programme targets high-urgency, combat-proven technology domains where demand is immediate and real-world testing in Ukraine provides unmatched validation. With the first round at EUR 10m and stated ambitions to scale to EUR 50m, early participation positions companies for follow-on competitions as the programme expands.

For NATO-nation defence-tech firms, UNITE – Brave NATO provides direct access to CAP procurement contracts issued by NCIA without a prime contractor intermediary, offering a fast route to fielding at scale. For Ukrainian companies, it unlocks co-development partnerships with Allied technology firms and additional grant funding beyond standard Brave1 channels. The programme's planned expansion to EUR 50m and recurring competition cycles signals a durable, growing pipeline rather than a one-off call.

The only Austrian channel for company-facing military R&D funding, with high funding rates for firms that team with a research institution.

Currently the largest company-facing national defence R&D grant line in Czechia, open to firms of all sizes with high aid intensity and a direct MoD guarantor relationship.

The single largest pot of near-term Danish defence procurement money, with an explicit invitation for industry to propose what to buy. Speed to fielding is the main selection criterion.

The state-backed front door into the Danish defence market for early-stage companies, including demo opportunities with the national procurement agency. It does not hand out cash directly but connects participants to Innobooster, Innofounder and EIFO capital.

For Danish companies in EDF consortia this is the mechanism that tops up EU funding with national money. Expect the next round announcement around September in the usual cycle.

The largest open national grant call for Danish defence-tech R&D in 2026, with tickets up to DKK 30 million per project. Consortia with a Danish lead entity can pull in foreign partners.

Real revenue rather than grant funding: FMI signs procurement contracts quickly when a proposal matches Ukrainian needs. It has become a primary route for Danish defence startups to land first contracts.

The lowest-friction national grant for a Danish defence or dual-use SME, with decisions in weeks rather than months. It doubles as an entry point into the Defence Tech Denmark accelerator.

Makes joint ventures and acquisitions in Ukraine's battle-tested defence sector financially viable for Danish companies. Relevant for any Danish defence firm seeking Ukrainian technology, production or market access.

At up to EUR 3 million per company this is the deepest non-dilutive product-development pot in the Baltic defence market. The mandatory EIS pre-consultation means you should start the conversation well before drafting the application.

This is the largest dedicated national defence-tech equity pool in the Baltics and one of Europe's first defence-only sovereign VC programmes. If you can bring a private lead investor, SmartCap can anchor rounds from seed through growth up to EUR 10 million.

Beyond the money, winners get structured access to the Estonian Defence Forces for real-condition testing, which is a credibility asset for export sales. The 2026 deadline is days away (19 August).

This is the main national gateway for Finnish cyber and digital-defence companies to Business Finland R&D money plus curated access to defence-sector buyers abroad.

It materially improves the economics of EDF participation for Finnish consortium members, closing the gap the EU co-funding rates leave on development actions.

PVTO is contract research, not grants: companies that win a slot get paid defence R&D work and a direct channel into Defence Forces capability planning. Position for the individual project tenders rather than waiting for an open call.

It is Finland's lowest-threshold entry point into MoD-funded research: small feasibility grants that put your team on the defence administration's radar and build a track record for larger PVTO or EDF work.

Relevant if you are a strategic supplier in a French defence programme and need sovereignty-aligned capital or takeover protection rather than innovation funding. Slower and more strategic than the FID.

State-backed equity that signals defence-customer interest without a grant process, covering the seed-to-growth range where French dual-use startups typically struggle to raise. Complementary to RAPID grants.

The workhorse French grant for defence-relevant SMEs: no fixed deadlines, direct AID sponsorship, and a natural on-ramp to DGA upstream study contracts. Requires a French entity and genuine dual-use framing.

The entry point into French defence research funding for lab-stage dual-use technology, and ASMA is the bridge that puts companies into the loop to industrialise results. Annual cadence means positioning must happen before the winter opening.

One of very few German vehicles paying companies directly for security and defence-relevant research, with multi-million-euro phased contracts. Procurement-law process means longer lead times; watch the partnering events.

The main German federal route for deep-tech teams to get substantial non-dilutive, milestone-based funding with dual-use freedom. New challenge entries only open at stage launches, so timing matters.

The primary direct channel to Italian MoD research money for companies of any size, with startup-friendly caps of EUR 1 million per proposal and topics aligned to future procurement priorities.

EDF development actions require member-state co-financing, so this instrument is the gatekeeper for any Latvian company joining an EDF consortium. The EUR 50,000 proposal-preparation grant materially de-risks the bid-writing cost.

It is Latvia's core national non-dilutive instrument for defence SMEs and the priorities telegraph exactly what the Latvian armed forces intend to buy. The 2026 state budget allocates EUR 25.9 million to defence industry development including this programme, so watch for the next annual call.

If you already have angels at the table, Coinvest can roughly double the round with patient state capital and no fixed fund lifetime pressure. It is the fastest formal route to Lithuanian state equity for a defence startup.

It is the established equity-plus-acceleration on-ramp into the Lithuanian defence ecosystem, with Ukrainian battlefield testing feedback loops baked into its model. Successor instrument MILInvest 2 (EUR 40 million) will multiply this capacity from late 2026.

It is the dedicated national equity instrument for Dutch dual-use companies that struggle to raise defence-adjacent venture capital, and it co-invests alongside private funds.

A low-barrier entry point into the Dutch defence ecosystem: a won challenge comes with development money and a direct end-user relationship inside the Ministry of Defence.

Government-commissioned development contracts rather than subsidies: the state is the launching customer, which de-risks early product development for defence and security SMEs.

It is the fastest route in Norway to get a prototype in front of real military end users and problem owners. Traction here feeds directly into the armed forces' rapid-acquisition pathways.

This is Norway's main direct-subsidy channel for defence production scale-up, and from 2026 it opens beyond the three launch companies to the wider supplier market. Suppliers positioned in the priority areas should track the 2026 regulation closely.

This is the Norwegian MoD's direct R&D grant channel for companies, distinct from FFI's arenas and the production-capacity subsidies. Companies should prepare for the relaunched, regulation-based call expected in autumn 2026.

A flexible state lender willing to bank defence-industry companies that commercial banks often avoid, useful for contract financing and liquidity in scaling defence production. No fixed calls: financing is negotiated case by case.

The first Polish state equity vehicle dedicated to defence and security, and an alternative to VC for capital-intensive defence-tech companies that want a minority state co-investor rather than debt.

The fastest route to getting a product tested by the Polish Armed Forces and onto a procurement track, without a grant competition. Particularly relevant for C-UAS, sensors, fortification tech, unmanned systems and battlefield communications.

The main national equity channel for dual-use and defence-adjacent startups: raising from a PFR Deep Tech-backed fund brings state-anchored capital without a grant process. PFR Ventures also invests in the NATO Innovation Fund on Poland's behalf, widening the same ecosystem.

The cheapest large-scale debt available to Polish defence and dual-use manufacturers: 1% money for up to 20 years covering up to 100% of project costs. First-come, first-served until the PLN 2.5 billion tranche is exhausted.

The main national acceleration route for early-stage dual-use startups; founders should watch which operators win and apply to their programmes from late 2026. Accelerators and innovation hubs can apply directly now.

Despite appearing in a 'defence2026' paid social campaign, the page describes purely civilian public-sector digital transformation services with no defence, security, or deep-tech funding mandate. Defence-tech companies or SMEs seeking funding should note that this entity is a fee-for-service consultancy, not a funding programme, and no ticket size or public budget is associated with it. It should not be catalogued as a defence-funding instrument.

For defence-tech and dual-use startups, Akces NCBR offers one of the very few Polish public instruments that explicitly combines grant funding with mentoring and equity in a single accelerator vehicle, with direct Ministry of Defence involvement in defining priority technology areas. The MilTech track provides validated access to defence procurement stakeholders and a pathway into Poland's rapidly expanding national security innovation ecosystem, including a planned follow-on MilTech Plus programme with a larger budget. Companies that progress through the programme also gain visibility with institutional investors such as the Polish Development Fund and the defence-industrial complex.

Effectively a large grant for dual-use production investment delivered through the banking channel, without a weapons-trade licence requirement. Suited to SMEs building manufacturing capacity for dual-use components and products.

For Polish and European defence-industry companies, FIZB SAFE opens a pipeline of sovereign-backed procurement orders insulated from ordinary national budget cycles, because BGK channels EU loan funds directly into qualifying cooperative defence acquisitions. Loans can run up to 45 years with a 10-year principal grace period, making large-scale, long-lead-time defence programmes financially viable. Companies meeting SAFE eligibility rules (primarily EU/EEA/Ukraine-established entities with ≤35% third-country content) stand to benefit from a structurally guaranteed order book underpinned by EU AAA-rated borrowing.

The entry point for academic teams spinning dual-use technology out of Polish research institutions; defence-tech companies can plug in as business partners to shape research agendas and access resulting IP.

For defence-tech companies and start-ups, Chrobry S.A. offers direct equity investment — not just debt — which means capital without immediate repayment pressure and a state anchor investor that validates strategic relevance. The model explicitly targets early-stage firms developing solutions for defence and dual-use applications, with PGZ potentially acquiring stakes later, providing a route to industrial integration and protection from foreign acquisition. Loans are available for broader security-related infrastructure projects with favourable terms (up to 20-year repayment, partial forgiveness), widening the addressable pipeline significantly.

For defence-tech and dual-use SMEs and startups, FTP is Poland's most significant state-backed VC mobilisation vehicle to date, explicitly listing defence and dual-use technologies among its top investment priorities. The first FTP commitments already targeted VC funds specialising in defence, cyber, and space, signalling strong policy intent to channel capital into these sectors. Companies raising VC rounds from FTP-backed funds benefit indirectly from BGK and EIF quality-stamp due diligence, which can also de-risk further private co-investment.

For defence-tech and security-technology SMEs, this call offers substantial national grant funding (up to PLN 10m per project, 100% intensity for non-economic R&D and de minimis coverage for pre-deployment work) to develop AI-powered video-analytics capabilities directly applicable to surveillance, anomaly detection, and autonomous-transport safety – all areas of clear dual-use and security relevance. The phased structure with gate reviews reduces waste while ensuring results reach deployment readiness, and the open-source/open-data requirement creates reusable baseline assets that can accelerate follow-on commercial or defence procurement bids. Polish SMEs and research-industry consortia with computer-vision or situational-awareness IP should treat this as a primary national pathway before pursuing EDF or other EU-level instruments.

IDA is Poland's primary structured gateway for civilian tech companies and startups to gain direct access to military end-users, defence industrial partners, and VC investors active in the dual-use space — without upfront cost. Participation has demonstrably led to VC investment term-sheets, operational test agreements, and procurement interest, making it a high-leverage entry point into the Polish and broader NATO defence ecosystem. It is also explicitly positioned as Poland's national complement to the NATO DIANA accelerator, offering a domestic on-ramp for companies targeting transatlantic defence innovation programmes.

For defence-tech and dual-use startups registered in Poland, IDA provides direct access to end-user validation with the Polish Armed Forces, introductions to defence-industry corporates (e.g. WB Group, PGZ), and warm introductions to VC investors at the Demo Day—compressing a sales and fundraising cycle that would otherwise take years. The programme also opens a pathway toward European Defence Agency CapTech expert status and NATO supplier opportunities, giving participants credibility beyond the Polish market. It is free to participate, making it a high-leverage, low-cost stepping stone for early-stage dual-use companies seeking their first institutional defence customer or investor.

Defence-tech and dual-use SMEs can access effectively non-repayable public co-financing of up to 70% of investment costs for scaling production, reducing the equity dilution that equity rounds would require. The PLN 400m call budget (with possible expansion) and a structured pipeline of further calls make this a major near-term funding opportunity for Polish and EU-based companies producing dual-use hardware or software. The instrument's alignment with EU Regulation 2021/821 also signals regulatory legitimacy and potential for downstream export support.

For defence-tech SMEs and industrial entities in Poland, NCBR calls represent the primary national grant channel for R&D with direct defence and security applications, providing access to a multi-billion PLN public budget without equity dilution. Projects selected are those with the highest real-world security impact, making this a credibility signal as well as a funding source. Winning a call can also position companies favourably for larger EU-level instruments such as EDF or SAFE-linked procurement pipelines.

OSA is the primary national gateway for defence-tech companies and SMEs seeking to get autonomous/drone systems tested, validated, and fast-tracked into Polish Armed Forces procurement — with MON planning approximately PLN 25 billion in autonomous and anti-drone system contracts in 2026 alone. The centre explicitly targets removal of administrative barriers and reduction of technological risk, making it a critical accelerator for any firm with UAS, AI, or autonomous ground/air vehicle capabilities. Early engagement with OSA positions companies for direct access to Polish military procurement pipelines without lengthy pre-qualification procedures.

This is the largest national grant pipeline for Polish defence R&D, funding up to 100% of costs on MON-defined topics. Companies planning defence R&D should track NCBR announcements for the next competition round.

With a contract value of approximately PLN 15 billion, this is one of the largest single defence procurement programmes in Polish history and is explicitly designed with significant Polish industrial participation, making it a key opportunity for domestic and allied C-UAS, radar, electronics, and ammunition suppliers. Companies in the counter-drone, short-range air defence, sensor integration, and directed-energy (future layers) sectors should monitor SAN closely, as the programme is expressly conceived as a 'national system' with follow-on export potential already under government discussion. The use of urgent operational need procedures means the procurement timeline is compressed and commercial frameworks differ from standard public tender rules, requiring early engagement with the Armament Agency and the PGZ-led prime consortium.

One of very few Polish grant instruments funding defence production CAPEX rather than R&D. Relevant for companies scaling manufacturing of munitions, components or defence systems.

First large FENG-funded grant stream explicitly for defence R&D, open to single companies (no international consortium needed) with tickets up to PLN 140 million. A rare chance to fund defence R&D from EU cohesion money.

For defence-tech and dual-use startups, VC Connect offers a rare state-backed on-ramp to the Polish military, defence-industry primes, and VC funds that have dual-use mandates — all in a single structured programme (the IDA Bootcamp track). Graduates have gone on to secure VC backing and partnerships with NATO-adjacent operators, making it a credible pipeline for companies seeking both validation and first institutional capital in the Polish market.

This is Poland's first comprehensive dual-use innovation programme, giving defence-tech startups and SMEs structured access to incubation, acceleration, and a national network of defence and technology mentors. Top-performing projects can unlock follow-on equity financing through the PFR Deep Tech fund, creating a full pipeline from idea to scale. The programme also explicitly targets NATO interoperability, making it strategically relevant for companies seeking both domestic and alliance-level traction.

A rolling, always-open national financing channel for Spanish dual-use companies, complementary to the annual COINCIDENTE call and usable to cofinance EDF participation.

The main direct route into Spanish MoD-funded R&D for companies without a prime contract, with generous co-funding for small firms and topics that signal real procurement interest.

This is the main funded on-ramp into the Swedish defence market for companies without a defence track record; the acceleration track even requires that you have no prior business with the Armed Forces or FMV.

A low-barrier, paid first contract with FMV that lets a civilian tech company demonstrate military relevance without a procurement track record.

Verified test data from a national range plus face time with Swedish and allied buyers compresses years of market entry into two weeks, and the Vinnova voucher can cover the fee for SMEs.

One of the fastest funded routes from prototype to a real battlefield customer in Europe: serial delivery is expected roughly 18 months after the call, and the buyer is the Swedish state.

The first real opening of Swiss federal innovation funding to defence-relevant work; companies partnering with Swiss research institutions get subsidised development in three procurement-relevant technology areas.

The fastest route from prototype to combat-validated deployment anywhere in Europe; grants are non-dilutive and success feeds directly into Ukrainian and, increasingly, NATO procurement.

It is patient government-linked equity that also opens doors into the UK national security customer base, without a grant competition cycle. Relevant for dual-use deep-tech companies raising Seed to Series B alongside commercial VCs.

This is now the single front door to UK MOD early-stage innovation money, with rolling cycles and fast contract awards. Companies that previously tracked DASA should track UKDI's live funding opportunities page instead.

For defence-tech SMEs and startups, this fund offers a rare, streamlined route to a first government contract without the typical procurement complexity—acting as both a revenue anchor and a credibility signal to attract private co-investment. The 'accelerated contracts' model bypasses conventional lengthy tendering, making it one of the fastest pathways into the UK defence supply chain. It is complemented by the new MoD Office of Small Business Growth, which helps new entrants navigate procurement and lower entry barriers.

For defence-tech companies and deep-tech SMEs, the AAL BAA provides a low-barrier, rolling entry point into U.S. Army funding—submitting a white paper is the first step, meaning no lengthy full proposal upfront. The continuously open window and broad technology scope make it one of the most accessible DoD vehicles for early-stage companies with dual-use or defence-oriented innovations. Successful performers also benefit from direct Army evaluation and a clear pathway toward follow-on procurement contracts.