EU programmes · European Commission (managed by the European Research Executive Agency, REA)
Horizon Europe Cluster 6 funds research and innovation addressing food systems, biodiversity, circular bioeconomy, clean environment, climate action on land and oceans, and green rural/urban communities. It operates through Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) under a 2026–2027 Work Programme comprising over 57 call topics. The total budget for 2026 calls exceeds EUR 630 million, distributed across seven thematic destinations. Eligible applicants include universities, research centres, SMEs, NGOs, municipalities, and public authorities forming international consortia of at least three partners from three different countries.
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.
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.