NATO · NATO
NATO's civil-science grant programme funds applied research cooperation between NATO members and partner countries through Multi-Year Research Projects and events (Advanced Research Workshops, Training Courses and Study Institutes). Current emphasis is on emerging and disruptive technologies, hybrid threats and other SPS key priorities; a 2026 special call targeted detection, tracking and identification of small UAS under 25 kg. Grants are awarded via the SPS grant platform after independent scientific evaluation.
Not a company instrument: the grant must sit with government, academic or non-profit institutions. Relevant to defence-tech companies as end-users or research partners of a funded consortium, especially for C-UAS and EDT applied research feeding a product roadmap.
Closes 31 Jan 2026
Multi-Year Projects and events. SPS issues calls on a recurring annual rhythm, so a 2027-1 call is expected around late 2026; not yet published as of 2026-08-10.
Opens 1 Apr 2026 · Closes 14 Jun 2026 · MYP budgets typically around EUR 400,000
Detection, tracking and identification of small UAS up to 25 kg: detection under difficult conditions, sensor fusion, passive radar. Dual-use research explicitly welcomed.
24 NATO Allies (standalone venture capital fund)
The only sovereign-backed VC dedicated to Alliance defence, security and resilience: patient capital comfortable with defence sales cycles, and a cheque that signals credibility to ministries and co-investors.
NATO / NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), governed by the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD)
AFSC is the largest and most complex capability procurement effort NATO has undertaken, offering sustained long-term contracting opportunities for defence and deep-tech companies across all 32 Allied nations. Companies working in ISR, unmanned systems, space-based surveillance, AI/data fusion, cloud architectures, and C2 systems are directly in scope for national and multinational development contracts tailored to AFSC requirements. Entering the Realization Stage in 2026 signals that procurement contracts for actual capability delivery—not just studies—are now on the near-term horizon.
The fastest single door into NATO for a dual-use startup: non-dilutive cash, military end-users, test infrastructure, and since 2026 a direct contracting path to Allied ministries via the Rapid Adoption Service.