The European Defence Fund is the EU funding programme for research and development projects which aim to deliver innovative defence technologies and, ultimately, to contribute to the security and defence interests of the Union. Its main goals are to promote cooperation between companies and research centres, to boost the EU defence capabilities and to help companies develop interoperable technologies.
For the 2021-2027 period, the European Defence Fund has a budget of nearly 8 billion EUR. The support is majorly offered through grants that can reach up to 100% of eligible costs.
EUDIS is an EDF instrument offered to small and medium-sized companies and other players in the European security ecosystem which lowers the entry barriers to the defence industry and enables defence innovation.
A distinctive feature of the EDF’s approach is its comprehensive support and advisory services provided to participants throughout the entire cycle of research and development. This is complemented by a bonus system designed to encourage participation by SMEs, mid-caps, and projects connected to the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) initiative. To be eligible for funding, consortia must consist of at least three entities from different Member States or associated countries (Norway being the current associated country), although calls for disruptive technologies allow for smaller consortia. It’s crucial that participants and subcontractors are based in the EU and maintain their executive management structure within the EU to qualify.
The EDF’s efforts are in direct alignment with the security and defence interests of the Union, reflecting defence capability priorities agreed by Member States within the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) framework. The Fund builds upon earlier initiatives like the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) and the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), seeking to foster a competitive and innovative European defence industrial base.
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Name | Opening date | Next deadline | Deadline model | Link |
Enterprise Europe Network | 25/04/2024 | 19/09/2024, 04/02/2025 | multiple cut-off | |
Food Waste – Support to Stakeholders 2024-2025 | 30/05/2024 | 25/09/2024 | multiple cut-off | |
Non-thematic development actions by SMEs | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Multi-sensor integration for robust autonomous drone navigation – Organisation of a technological challenge | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (U-CCA) systems | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
AI-based multifunctional aperture and transceiver | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Energy-independent and energy-efficient systems for military camps | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Functional smart system-of-systems under an integral survivability approach for future naval platforms | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Countering hypersonic glide vehicles | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Multipurpose unmanned ground systems | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Medium altitude long endurance RPAS | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Next-Generation Cooperative Cyber Range | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Advanced radar technologies | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Secured and adaptive underwater communications for UUSs | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Secure waveform for satellite communications | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Secure waveform for satellite communications | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Multi-sensor integration for robust autonomous drone navigation – Participation in a technological challenge | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Multi-source satellite image analysis – Organisation of a technological challenge | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Automated structural modelling for effect prediction | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Simulation and training for medical emergencies | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Autonomous heavy minesweeping system | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Multi-source satellite image analysis – Participation in a technological challenge | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Quantum technologies | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Future mid-size tactical cargo aircraft | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Electronic components | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Defence multi-dimensional communication standard | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Small enhanced European UAS | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Next generation armoured infantry fighting vehicle | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Beyond the line-of-sight close combat | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Intelligent weaponry and ammunition systems | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Methods for bridging reality gaps | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Non-thematic research actions targeting disruptive technologies for defence | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Call for proposals dedicated to SMEs and research organisations | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Concept study on advanced air-to-air missiles | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Next generation rotorcraft | 20/06/2024 | 05/11/2024 | single-stage | |
Common procurement of platforms and replacement of legacy systems | 27/03/2024 | 25/07/2024 | single-stage | |
Common procurement of surface-to-surface ammunition | 27/03/2024 | 25/07/2024 | single-stage |
Budget: 7.95 billion euros
Organism: European Commission
Nature of the project: Innovation and research
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