European Defence Fund
The European Defence Fund (EDF) is the EU’s dedicated funding programme for collaborative defence research and development. It supports companies across Member States in developing competitive and collaborative defence projects that deliver innovative and interoperable defence technologies and equipment.
The programme aims to strengthen the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the European defence technological and industrial base, reduce fragmentation, and promote cross-border cooperation. It supports activities across the research and development cycle, from research and design to prototyping, testing, qualification and certification.
The EDF is implemented through annual work programmes and competitive calls for proposals published by the European Commission. The programme is structured around thematic and horizontal categories of actions aligned with EU defence priorities.
Commercial Opportunities
EDF offers companies and research organisations the opportunity to develop defence technologies in collaboration with European partners and potential end-users. The programme is especially relevant for organisations seeking to enter or expand within European defence supply chains.
For SMEs and mid-caps, the programme can provide access to strategic partnerships, European-level visibility, and support for the development of products, technologies, or subsystems with significant defence-market potential while reducing the financial risk of high-cost R&D and development activities.
Funding Available
The EDF has a budget of nearly EUR 7.3 billion for 2021-2027, with EUR 2.7 billion allocated to collaborative defence research and EUR 5.3 billion to collaborative capability development projects that complement national contributions.
Financial support is offered primarily through grants up to 100% of eligible costs, depending on the activities involved. Additional bonus mechanisms consider SME participation, mid-caps, and links to PESCO projects.
Application Process
EDF applications are submitted in response to specific call topics published through the annual work programmes and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Applicants submit proposals electronically through the Portal Submission System.
Most EDF calls require a consortium involving entities from at least three Member States or associated countries. Norway is currently the only associated country. Calls for disruptive technologies allow smaller consortia of at least two entities from two Member States or associated countries.
Successful proposals enter grant agreement preparation with the European Commission before the project can start.
Requirements
In EDF proposals, the consortium and project must meet specific eligibility and security conditions. Key requirements include:
- Consortia for most calls must involve entities from at least three EU Member States or associated countries.
- Calls for disruptive technologies may allow smaller consortia of at least two entities from two Member States or associated countries.
- Recipients and subcontractors must be EU-based and have their executive management structure in the EU.
- Applicants should not be controlled by a non-associated third country, unless approved guarantees apply.
- Entities from non-associated third countries may participate only under conditions that protect EU security and defence interests, and they do not receive EDF funding.
Do you need help validating your match or preparing your application?
For more detailed information and latest updates, see the official programme website.