National · France · Agence de l'Innovation de Défense, operated by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR)
ASTRID is the AID's annual call for strongly exploratory dual-use research, fully funded by the defence ministry and run by the ANR across some fifteen scientific domains including AI, cybersecurity, robotics, photonics, materials, energy, NRBC and health. The companion ASTRID Maturation (ASMA) call funds the maturation of previously AID-funded results toward technological demonstrations and pre-industrial applications, and requires an enterprise in the consortium. Successful projects can feed into RAPID or DGA upstream study contracts.
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.
Opens 16 Dec 2025 · Closes 2 Mar 2026 · up to €400,000 per project
2026 edition closed 2 March 2026. ASTRID has run annually since 2011; a 2027 edition opening around December 2026 is expected but not yet announced.
Opens 23 Dec 2025 · Closes 25 May 2026 · up to €800,000 per project
Two 2026 sessions closed 16 February and 25 May 2026. Annual cadence; next edition expected but not yet announced.
Danish Ministry of Defence / Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI/DALO)
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.
German Federal Government (BMVg and BMI)
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.
Next deadline 6 Oct
Industrial Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A.), Polish state development agency
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.