National · France · Agence de l'Innovation de Défense (Ministère des Armées)

RAPID - Régime d'Appui pour l'Innovation Duale

GrantsDual-useDefenceDual-useAICyberISR & SensorsC2 / Battle ManagementCBRNDefence Medical

Funding rate: up to 80% of eligible costs, depending on project type
TRL window: TRL 3-7

About the programme

RAPID is the AID's subsidy scheme for dual-use industrial research and experimental development by companies under 2,000 employees.

It runs as a permanent call with submissions accepted year-round and supports technological developments and demonstrators between TRL 3 and 7 under the EU state-aid exempted framework.
In 2026 the AID highlights information superiority, health and NRBC resilience, and protection and surveillance among its innovation priorities.

Why it matters

The workhorse French grant for defence-relevant SMEs: no fixed deadlines, direct AID sponsorship, and a natural on-ramp to DGA upstream study contracts. Requires a French entity and genuine dual-use framing.

Calls & cycles

RAPID permanent call (au fil de l'eau)Rolling

Continuously open

Submissions accepted year-round via the AID; contact dispositif.rapid@intradef.gouv.fr.

National / DenmarkOpen call

Acceleration Fund (Accelerationsfonden)

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.

Innovation procurementDefence

See programme

National / GermanyOpen call

Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit (Cyberagentur)

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.

Innovation procurementSecurityDefenceDeep tech

See programme

National / PolandOpen call

ARP Financing for the Defence Sector (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu)

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.

LoansDefenceDual-use

Working-capital loans from PLN 0.8 million (up to PLN 8.6 million with InvestEU guarantee for SMEs); larger investment and restructuring loans negotiated individuallySee programme