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EUROPEAN DEFENCE FUND – Non-thematic development actions by SMEs – 2025

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.

2025-01-25
36 million euros
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Call synthesis

Call reference EDF-2025-LS-DA-SME
Programme European Defence Fund
Institution European Commission
Sectors Aeronautics & Space Business & Industry Civil Protection & Risks Justice, Security, Defence Research & Innovation
Beneficiaries EU & International Organisation Media & cultural organisation Research centre & university Smes & Start-Ups (< 249 Employees)

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Call reference

EDF-2025-LS-DA-SME



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Priorities and funded actions

Objectives :

To encourage the driving role of innovative SMEs to turn technology and research results into defence products in a fast and cost-efficient way, possibly by adapting technologies from civil applications or addressing hybrid warfare.

Priorities :

  • Priority 1 : To develop innovative, rapid, and cost-effective solutions for defence applications
  • Priority 2 : To introduce ground-breaking or novel concepts and approaches or apply technologies previously not used in the defence sector
  • Priority 3 : To enhance innovation capacity across Europe through the involvement of SMEs that can make a difference in the future
  • Priority 4 : To facilitate future market creation for SMEs, especially by improving their access to defence markets and supply chains
  • Priority 5 : To contribute to the development of EDTIB ecosystems and strengthen EU Member States’ and EDF Associated Countries’ defence supply chains

Among financed actions :

  • Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience, including secured production and exchange of data, to master critical defence technologies, to strengthen the security of supply or to enable the effective exploitation of results for defence products and technologies
  • Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or upgraded products, technologies, processes, services and solutions
  • Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology as well as the definition of the technical specifications on which such design has been developed, including partial tests for risk reduction in an industrial or representative environment
  • System prototyping of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
  • Testing of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
  • Qualification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
  • Certification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology

Eligibility :

  • Be a legal person
  • Be a public or private entity
  • Be established in one of the eligible countries:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories)
    • Non-EU states : listed EEA countries and countries associated to the European Defence Fund (Click here)
  • Have its executive management structure established in eligible countries
  • Must not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or non-associated third-country entity
  • Project proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 3 entities based in at least 3 member states or associated countries

Additional information :

  • Initial duration of the action: 24 months
  • Contact: DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu

Useful :

Financement
  • Total budget of the call: 36 million of euros
  • Amount of the grant: up to 6 million euros per proposal
  • Funding rate: up to 100% of the total eligible costs