_European Defence Fund Programme

European Defence Fund (EDF): funding defence & civil technologies.

Support for collaborative dual-use innovations and projects across Europe.

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 The European Defence Fund (EDF) is designed to support collaborative defence, security, and dual-use innovation projects across Europe.

Whether you’re developing next-generation defence or civil technologies with dual-use potential, the EDF provides substantial funding to boost your project’s innovation capacity and competitiveness within Europe’s Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), supporting developments from TRL 3 to TRL 8.

Cross-border collaboration

Work with leading organisations from at least three EU or associated countries to develop cutting-edge defence and dual-use solutions.

Dual-use innovation

Open to civil technologies with defence potential — AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, robotics, energy systems, advanced materials, and space.

Strategic autonomy

Contribute to Europe’s technological sovereignty and industrial resilience by strengthening its defence ecosystem and reducing dependence on non-EU technologies.

€7.3B

Total budget (2021–2027)

100%

Max. funding rate

33

topics

27

participating countries

What you need
to know before
applying

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💡 Start early! Build your consortium and define your project scope 2–3 months before submission.

About the European Defence Fund

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is the European Commission’s key financial instrument to support collaborative defence research and development projects among EU Member States and associated countries.

It aims to strengthen the competitiveness, efficiency, and innovation capacity of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), while also promoting the spin-in of civil and dual-use technologies to foster cross-fertilisation and ensure broader technological advancement across both defence and civilian sectors.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible Applicants

  • Legal entities established in the EU or EDF-associated countries (e.g., Norway), including companies, SMEs, mid-caps, and RTOs.
  • SMEs and research organisations are fully eligible.
  • Applicants as well as any subcontractors, must not be controlled by non-EU entities, unless approved safeguards are in place.
  • Proposals need to be submitted by consortia with partners from at least three different eligible countries.

Consortium Requirements

  • Minimum: 3 eligible legal entities from 3 EU or associated countries.
  • Certain calls (e.g., Disruptive Technologies for Defence) may allow smaller consortia.

Eligible Activities

  • Research: studies, concept development, design, and knowledge creation.
  • Development: prototyping, testing, validation, and certification.
Types of Projects

Collaborative R&D covering:

  • Defence medical support and biotechnology
  • Sensors, radar, AI, and cyber capabilities
  • Advanced space and energy systems
  • Simulation, disruptive technologies, and more
Funding
Funding Type Funding Rate What It Covers Notes
Research Actions (RA) Up to 100% Early-stage work: concept design, feasibility studies, exploratory research Fully funded grant provided by the EDF
Development Actions (DA) Typically up to 80% (can reach 100% in specific cases, e.g., SMEs) Prototyping, testing, validation, qualification Co-funded grant; higher rates possible for certain beneficiaries
Lump Sum Grants Pre-defined lump amount SME-focused or non-thematic activities Grant with simplified reporting and fixed cost structure
Key deadlines

The European Defence Fund (EDF) launches annual competitive calls for proposals. Each year, the European Commission publishes the Work Programme, outlining topics, requirements, and funding rules.

  • Calls open: usually in February
  • Proposal deadline: typically in October

Because EDF funding is limited and competition is high, only the strongest proposals—those closely aligned with EU defence priorities—are selected. Early preparation, a solid consortium, and a well-crafted proposal are essential for success.

Application process

EDF Application Process: Key Steps

  • Call Publication: The European Commission publishes the annual Work Programme and opens calls (usually in February).
  • Consortium Building: Applicants form a consortium with at least three independent entities from three eligible countries.
  • Proposal Preparation:
    • Complete Part A (administrative information) on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
    • Draft Part B (technical proposal) using the official templates.
  • Annexes: Upload all required annexes, such as budget forms, ownership declarations, and infrastructure details.
  • Submission: Submit the full proposal electronically before the deadline (typically October).
  • Evaluation: Independent experts evaluate proposals based on excellence, impact, implementation quality, and contribution to EU strategic autonomy.
  • Grant Agreement: Successful applicants are invited to prepare and sign the Grant Agreement with the Commission.
  • Project Start: Once signed, the project usually begins mid- to late the following year.
Evaluation criteria

EDF proposals are evaluated on their excellence, innovation potential, and strategic relevance to EU defence priorities. Key criteria include the technological maturity, impact on the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), quality of the consortium, and contribution to EU strategic autonomy and security of supply.

Eligible costs

Personnel, R&D, equipment, prototyping, subcontracting, testing, travel, dissemination, overheads.

How We Support Your European Defence Fund Application

  • Backed by PhDs, engineers, and finance experts, we guide you through every stage of the EDF application and project lifecycle.
  • We combine strategic insight with technical excellence to help innovators secure the right collaborative funding and manage their projects successfully.
Control de convocatorias (1)

1. Opportunity Scouting

We perform an initial diagnostic to assess your defence technologies, consortium readiness, and alignment with EDF priorities. We identify suitable calls, track programme updates, and advise on strategic fit. We also keep updated and scout other EU funding opportunities that fit your profile. When needed, we support partner search and consortium building across industry, SMEs, research centres, and public bodies.
Diagnóstico y preparación

2. Grant Application

Obtención de ayuda (2)

3. Submission & Grant Agreement

We assist with the submission process and communication with the European Commission and EDF authorities. After a positive evaluation, we support all Grant Agreement steps, including validations, security documentation, consortium arrangements, budget adjustments, and negotiations to ensure a smooth transition to project launch.

Gestión del proyecto (1)

4. Project Management

We support project execution by ensuring compliance with EDF rules, monitoring progress, and tracking budgets and deliverables. We assist with technical and financial reporting, audits, and verification visits, manage administrative communication with the funding body, and help oversee fund disbursement and required clarifications.

Need expert advice for your European Defence Fund proposal?

Our consultants guide you through everything you need to know about EU calls, requirements, and winning strategies.

Contact our team

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“Evolution’s expertise and guidance were instrumental in securing our funding. Their support throughout the entire process, from crafting the proposal to preparing for the final pitch, was invaluable. It’s the most professional and comprehensive assistance we’ve ever received.”

Paul Kamoun, Director of Spacepharma

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“Evolution was pivotal in improving and refining our business model and go-to-market strategy. Besides, the writing of the proposal was elevated to a very high standard; we could not have achieved this without Evolution’s help.”

Fadhil Musa, co-founder of Delox

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“At Evolution, we found the expertise and guidance in this domain to identify and target the right programme for us. Getting Evolution alongside was fundamental to ensure peace of mind and keep the start-up team focused on project development.”

Mathieu Horras, CEO, Founder & Board Member of Aspivix

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the European Defence Fund.

What is the European Defense Fund?

The European Defence Fund 2025 (EDF 2025) is the fifth annual work programme under the European Defence Fund. It provides €1.065 billion in funding to support collaborative defence research and development across the EU and Norway.

Key features of the EDF:

  • Covers 33 topics across 9 calls, including areas like cyber, AI, space, sensors, energy, naval and ground combat, and disruptive technologies.
  • Offers up to 100% funding for research and up to 80–100% for development actions.
  • Emphasizes cross-border cooperation, innovation, and strategic autonomy.
  • Includes dedicated actions for SMEs and research organisations, with simplified lump sum grants.
What sectors are eligible?

AI, cybersecurity, robotics, quantum tech, energy systems, advanced materials, space, and more.

What is the european defence fund budget 2021-2027 amount?

The European Defence Fund (EDF) has a total budget of €7.95 billion for the 2021–2027 period (in current prices).

  • Around €2.65 billion is allocated to collaborative defence research.
  • Around €5.30 billion is allocated to collaborative capability development, including joint development of defence technologies and equipment.
What countries participate in European Defence Fund?

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is open to:

  • All EU Member States
  • EDF Associated Countries, currently Norway

To participate, entities must be established and controlled within these countries. Entities from other countries may only be involved under strict conditions and cannot receive funding.

What funding rate does EDF offer?

The European Defence Fund (EDF) offers the following funding rates:

  • Research Actions (RA): Up to 100% of eligible costs.
  • Development Actions (DA): Up to 80%, with the possibility to reach 100% for certain entities (e.g. SMEs or when justified).
  • Lump Sum Grants: Fixed amount grants, often used in SME-dedicated or non-thematic calls, typically covering 100% of predefined eligible activities.
What is the success rate for EDF?

The success rate for EDF proposals typically ranges between 20% and 30%, depending on the year and topic. This reflects the highly competitive nature of the programme, with many high-quality proposals competing for limited funding.

Can companies already funded by EIC apply?

Yes, as long as the proposed EDF activities are distinct (no double funding).

How long does it take to get funded?

From call opening to grant agreement, the EDF funding process typically takes 12 to 18 months:

  • Call opens: usually February
  • Proposal deadline: usually October
  • Evaluation and selection: around 6–8 months
  • Grant agreement preparation: by mid- to late the following year
What is the TRL required to apply to the EDF programme?

EDF projects generally span TRL 3 to TRL 8, covering both research and development phases — from initial concept to advanced, pre-production prototypes.

  • Research actions:
    Typically cover TRL 3–6, focusing on early-stage R&D — concept validation, feasibility studies, lab testing, and design activities.
    (Example: experimental proof of concept or prototype validation in a lab environment).

  • Development actions:
    Target TRL 6–8, supporting prototyping, testing, qualification, and certification.
    (Example: a technology demonstrated in a relevant or operational environment, or nearing pre-production stage).

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