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 total of €225 million are allocated for the EUDIS instrument for 2024. These are the designed services:
Current EU security interests and Member States defence capabilities determine the identified priorities within the EDF and its Work Programme.
The European Defence Fund (EDF) has recently launched its 2024 Work Programme, marking a significant step forward in the European Union’s commitment to bolstering its defence capabilities through collaborative research and development projects. With a total budget of €7.95 billion for the period 2021-2027, the EDF represents a pivotal initiative by the European Commission to enhance the collaborative efforts of companies, including SMEs, research actors across the EU, and to foster the development of cutting-edge, interoperable defence technologies and equipment. This year EDF call budget will support project for a total budget of up to €1.1 billion, deadline to apply: 5 November 2024.
The 2024 Work Programme is organized around 32 topics, distributed across 6 thematic calls for proposals and 2 non-thematic calls specifically dedicated to SMEs. This structure is designed to address critical areas in defence, including countering hypersonic missiles, developing a broad range of unmanned vehicles (both aerial and ground-based), and advancing secure space communication technologies. The programme also aims to lay the groundwork for future defence systems, such as next-generation helicopters and mid-size cargo aircraft.
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.
Furthermore, the 2024 Work Programme introduces the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), with a total funding of €225 million, to promote defence innovation and inclusiveness. EUDIS aims to support smaller players and innovators through various measures, including annual defence hackathons, business coaching for SME beneficiaries, and a new initiative for a Business Accelerator and Matchmaking with investors.
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.
Interested to find out if this call is for you? Contact our team of experts to exchange on your project idea.
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
2024 European Innovation Score board Released Marie LatourSettings The European Commission released the Innovation Scoreboard 2024 on July 8, offering an in-depth comparative analysis of innovation performance among EU Member
2024 European Calls for Environmental and Climate Projects Asier PollánSettings WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAMME? The 2024 LIFE calls for proposals opened on 18 April and will close
The I3 instrument aims to promote innovation through smart specialization and interregional collaboration. It must bring together researchers, companies, civil society and public administrations involved in smart specialization strategies established at national or regional level. Chapters The calls for projects are organized under 2 chapters: Strand 1: Support for investments
Get the maximum financing This horizontal pillar is transversal and complementary to all the financing schemes in Horizon Europe and other European financing programs. Objetive This program aims to promote the exchange and networking of researchers and scientific institutions to mitigate the uneven distribution of R&D capacities within the EU.