National · Germany · German Federal Government
SPRIND, founded in 2019, funds leaps in innovation through staged challenges and the faster Funke competitions, with teams financed milestone by milestone. It has no civil clause and already finances dual-use technologies; defence-relevant challenges include Anti-Drone Response 2.0 (fully autonomous neutralisation of small and micro UAVs) and Fully Autonomous Flight 2.0, both in second stage with selected teams in 2026. SPRIND has proposed a separate military innovation agency, SPRIND.MIL, with a suggested €1 billion over five years, but as of August 2026 that remains a proposal, not an established agency.
The main German federal route for deep-tech teams to get substantial non-dilutive, milestone-based funding with dual-use freedom. New challenge entries only open at stage launches, so timing matters.
Closes 6 Sept 2026
Open for submissions as of August 2026.
Closes 6 Sept 2026
Open for submissions as of August 2026; quantum sensing is directly dual-use relevant (PNT, detection).
Dates not announced
Second stage running with selected teams as of August 2026; entry closed. Seeks fully autonomous systems to neutralise small and micro UAVs.
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.