National · Poland · Polish National Centre for Research and Development (Narodowe Centrum Badań i Rozwoju), under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, in consultation with the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of the Interior
The NCBR Defence and Security Research Programmes fund applied research and development projects that serve the defence and security of the Polish state, conducted in consultation with the Ministers of National Defence and the Interior. Competitions are topic-specific, targeting projects that promise the greatest measurable increase in national security. The programmes aim to build the capability of Polish scientific and industrial entities and foster technological independence in critical defence and security technologies.
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.
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.