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EU programmes · European Commission, DG DEFIS

European Defence Fund

GrantsDefenceDual-useDeep tech
Ticket size
~EUR 1 billion per annual work programme; grants up to 100% of eligible costs per project

About the programme

The EDF is the EU's principal instrument for co-funding collaborative defence research and capability development across Member States, with a total budget of approximately EUR 7.3 billion for 2021–2027 (EUR 2.7 billion for research, EUR 5.3 billion for capability development).

  • It is implemented by the European Commission through annual competitive calls for proposals structured around thematic and horizontal categories covering all military domains and key enabling technologies.
  • Consortia of at least three entities from EU Member States or associated countries (currently Norway) are required, with dedicated tracks for SMEs, mid-caps, and disruptive technology innovators via the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS).
  • Financial support is delivered primarily as grants covering up to 100% of eligible costs, with bonuses for SME/mid-cap participation and linkage to PESCO projects.

Why it matters

With roughly EUR 1 billion committed per annual work programme, the EDF is one of the largest public investors in defence R&D worldwide, making it the single most significant source of non-dilutive grant funding available to European defence-tech companies and SMEs.

  • The EUDIS sub-scheme and cascade funding (FSTP) mechanism specifically lower the barrier for smaller innovators to enter collaborative projects and access the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.
  • Alignment with EDF priorities—particularly PESCO projects and CDP capability gaps—directly signals strategic relevance to both EU institutions and potential prime-contractor partners.

Calls & cycles

none tracked
No call cycle on record. Check the official programme page.

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