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EUROPEAN DEFENCE FUND – Development actions implemented via actual cost grants – 2026

EDF – The European Defence Fund aims at promoting cooperation among companies and research actors of all sizes and geographic origin in the Union, in research and development of state-of-the-art and interoperable defence technology and equipment.

2026-09-29
422 million euros
Open

Call synthesis

Call reference EDF-2026-DA
Programme EUROPEAN DEFENCE FUND
Institution European Commission
Sectors Aeronautics & Space Civil Protection & Risks Cooperation & Development Energy Justice, Security, Defence Research & Innovation Technology & Digital
Beneficiaries Association & NGO Large company (> 250 employees) Local Authority & Affiliated Entity Smes & Start-Ups (< 249 Employees) State administration & affiliated entities

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Call reference

EDF-2026-DA



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Priorities and funded actions

Objectives

  • To develop next-generation EW systems that can effectively counter emerging threats and support EU interests in the maritime domain without third country dependencies
  • To follow up and complement previous activities in the field of high-performance energy systems (production, storage, management and distribution)
  • To harness and advance existing technology to a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to address urgent and near future needs to restore civilian areas and training areas
  • To increase the survivability of fixed-wing and rotary-wing, combat or non-combat aircraft in hostile environments of the next generation self-protection systems (SPS)
  • To exploit the knowledge and solutions developed for civilian and military purposes in the application of such technologies

Among financed actions

  • Studies
  • Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component
  • Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience, including secured production and exchange of data

Eligibility

  • Be legal entities (public or private bodies)
  • Be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
    • non-EU countries :
  • Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register before submitting the proposal.
  • A consortium composed of minimum 3 independent applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) from 3 different eligible countries must be constituted.

Additional information

  • Contact: DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu

Useful

Financement
  • Total budget of the call: 422 million euros
  • Budget per topic:
    • EDF-2026-DA-SENSCEW: 24 million euros
    • EDF-2026-DA-SPACEPRS: 50 million euros
    • EDF-2026-DAENERENV-HPES: 20 million euros
    • EDF-2026-DAENERENV-AWC: 10 million euros
    • EDF-2026-DAMATCOMP-SMT: 20 million euros
    • EDF-2026-DA-AIR-SPS: 24 million euros
    • EDF-2026-DA-AIRSTFS: 25 million euros
    • EDF-2026-DAGROUND-MRL: 25 million euros
    • EDF-2026-DAGROUND-MBT: 125 million euros
    • EDF-2026-DAPROTMOB-DMM: 9 million euros
    • EDF-2026-DA-NAVALEMSAS: 90 million euros
  • Amount of the grant: One proposal is to be funded for each topic and the grant amount must not exceed the budget available for each one.
  • Funding rate: between 20% and 100% of the total eligible costs