EU programmes · European Commission (DG DEFIS)
The EU's flagship instrument for collaborative defence research and development, co-funding cross-border consortia from research through prototyping and certification. The 2026 work programme, adopted 17 December 2025, puts €1 billion into 10 calls covering 31 topics, with half the budget on major capabilities such as an EU endo-atmospheric interceptor, main battle tank, semi-autonomous vessel and next-generation combat aircraft technologies, a quarter on future technologies (quantum-secured networks, electronic warfare, AI), and a quarter on the EU Defence Innovation Scheme.
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.
European Commission (DG DEFIS), with EUSPA and the EIF
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.
European Investment Fund with the European Commission, under InvestEU
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.
European Investment Bank Group
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.