European Defence Fund (EDF)

Increasing defense capabilities through collaborative innovation

The European Defence Fund (EDF) promotes the competitiveness, efficiency, and innovation capacity of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). The fund contributes to the EU’s strategic autonomy and freedom of action by:

  • supporting collaborative actions and cross-border cooperation between parties across the EU, especially SMEs and mid-caps
  • strengthening and improving the flexibility of both defence equipment suppliers and customers
  • broadening cross-border cooperation between parties
  • promoting better exploitation of the industrial potential of innovation, research and technological development, at any stage of the industrial life cycle of defense products and technologies.

A total of 15 action categories have been identified:

  • Medical response & CBRN
  • Information superiority
  • Sensors
  • Cyber
  • Space
  • Digital transformation
  • Energy resilience & environment transition
  • Materials and components
  • Air combat
  • Air and missile defence
  • Ground combat
  • Force protection and mobility
  • Naval combat
  • Underwater warfare
  • Simulation and training.

Disruptive technologies and Innovative defence technologies (SMEs) are horizontal categories.

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EDF at a glance

Intended audience Intended audience

Companies (including SMEs) and research organisations based in the EU.

Type of funding Type of funding

Public funding.

Total budget Total budget

8 billion euro for the 2021-2027 period, including 2.7 billion euro for defence research and 5.3 billion euro for capability development projects.

European Defence Fund grant categories

The EDF offers two main grant categories:

  • Funding rate is 100%

  • EU baseline funding rate: 20% to 90%
  • EU maximum funding rate (with bonuses, e.g. SME participation): up to 100%

Is your project eligible for funding?

To qualify for EDF funding, at least the following conditions must be met:

  • The project must be carried out by a consortium of at least three eligible entities established in at least three different EU member states or Norway.
  • The action must correspond to the relevant funding call, address new defence products or technologies (or upgrade existing ones), and include the mandatory activities outlined in the call.

25+
European Defense Fund proposals supported

50%
overall success rate

10
high-impact clients supported yearly

How can we support your European Defence Fund application?

Our experts can assess your project to determine if it aligns with EDF guidelines. We can also help you find consortium partners and offer tailored support using proprietary AI-based data tools.

A few of our European Defense Fund funding experts

Start your European Defence Fund application

Let us guide you through the complex EDF application procedures. Please fill out the form below so we can help you set up your application efficiently.

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