European Defence Fund
Summary
Budget
Official information source
https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/european-def...Description
EUROPEAN DEFENCE FUND - EDF
About EDF
Complementing and amplifying Member States’ efforts, the Fund promotes 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. The Fund supports competitive and collaborative projects throughout the entire cycle of research and development for a bigger impact on the European defence capability and industrial landscape.
It strongly encourages participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in collaborative projects and fosters breakthrough innovative solutions.
The EDF was preceded by two test programmes with limited duration and budget – the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) and the European Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP).
Discover the EDF by watching the video (EN/DE/FR)
EDF Budget
A budget of close to €8 billion for 2021-2027 is dedicated to the European Defence Fund. €2.7 billion to fund collaborative defence research and €5.3 billion euros to fund collaborative capability development projects complementing national contributions.
Annual work programmes
The EDF is implemented through annual work programmes structured along 17 thematic and horizontal categories of actions, which have been shaped to remain stable during the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027.
The European Defence Fund at a glance
The EDF is the Commission's instrument to support Research and Development in defence.
Its main goals are:
- To promote cooperation between companies, including SMEs and research actors throughout the Union.
- To boost defence capability development through investments.
- To help EU companies develop cutting-edge and interoperable defence technologies and equipment.
The European Defence Fund in detail
The EDF supports companies across Member States develop competitive and collaborative defence projects that will deliver innovative and interoperable defence technologies and equipment. It offers support and advice to participants throughout the entire cycle of research and development.
The Fund has a budget of nearly €8 billion for 2021-2027, with €2.7 billion allocated for collaborative defence research and €5.3 billion for collaborative capability development projects that complement national contributions. The financial support is offered primarily through grants up to 100% of eligible costs contingent on activities involved and a bonus system that considers SMEs, mid-caps, and connection to a PESCO project.
The EDF is implemented through annual work programmes structured along 34 thematic and horizontal categories of actions along the objectives set in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. The Programme is implemented directly by the Commission. In duly justified cases and in line with the EDF Regulation, the management of a grant can be delegated to an entrusted entity.
Identified priorities are aiming at contributing to the security and defence interests of the Union, in line with defence capability priorities agreed by Member States within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and particularly in the context of the Capability Development Plan (CDP), and taking into account, where appropriate, regional priorities and priorities from and international organisations (NATO).
The categories of actions structuring the annual work programmes have been designed to cover all military domains and key enabling technologies. Funded projects should enable the European Commission to respond to the needs of Member States while targeting critical capabilities that are essential for the future. The EDF annual work programmes are defined in close cooperation with Member States representatives within the EDF Programme Committee, including the involvement of the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European External Action Service (EEAS).
The EDF builds on earlier initiatives such as the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) and the European Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP).
The EDF Work Programme 2025
The 2025 EDF Work Programme addresses 33 call topics in total, structured along 7 thematic calls for proposals, 2 non-thematic calls for proposals and 2 actions in support of the Alliance for Defence Medical Countermeasures.
The Commission adopted the European Defence Fund’s annual Work Programme for 2025, allocating €1.065 billion for collaborative research and development in the field of defence. It supports the development of critical defence technologies and capabilities in all military domains, incl. ground, air, naval, space, and cyber in line with the EU capability priorities agreed by Member States. The Work Programme also contains a number of dedicated measures to support SMEs and mid-caps under the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS).
The EDF helps reduce the fragmentation of investment in the development of European defence technologies and capabilities. It also strengthens industrial competitiveness and promotes interoperability across Europe. With the adoption of the 2025 Work Programme, the Commission has committed €5.4 billion since the entry into force of the EDF Regulation in May 2021, becoming one of the top investors in defence R&D.
EDF Info Days 2025
The European Commission is pleased to announce that the upcoming edition of the EDF Info Days will take place on 2 - 3 April 2025 in Brussels and online.
The EDF Info Days 2025 gathered more than 5000 participants from all around the EU, Norway and beyond both on-site and online.
It was a unique opportunity to learn all what is needed to apply to EU Funding & Tenders Portal for proposals and to discover and network with potential partners in future EDF projects.
The slides of Day 1 (plenary info session) are now available here.
Full recording will be available soon
The EDF Work Programme 2024
The 2024 EDF Work Programme addresses 32 call topics in total, structured along 6 thematic calls for proposals, 2 non-thematic calls for proposals and 2 actions in support of the Alliance for Defence Medical Countermeasures.
It will support projects in critical defence domains, such as countering hypersonic missiles, developing a broad range of unmanned vehicles in the air and on the ground, as well as secure space communication. It also prepares the ground for next generation defence systems, such as helicopters and mid-size cargo aircraft.
Furthermore, the work programme provides a wide range of support measures to promote defence innovation and inclusiveness through the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) with a total funding of €225 million. This includes Technological Challenges on space and on sensors, a spin-in call under the ‘Materials and components’ category of action and a call with sub-call (cascade funding) for start-ups and SMEs under ‘Simulation and training’, as well as open, non-thematic calls for SMEs.
EUDIS will continue to fund the organisation of annual defence hackathons, as well as business coaching for SME beneficiaries and the Defence Equity Facility under InvestEU. The novelty for 2024 is the foreseen funding for a EUDIS Business Accelerator and Matchmaking with investors (call for tender expected to be published in spring 2024).
EDF Info Days 2024
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) is pleased to announce that the EDF Info Days 2024 gathered more than 3000 participants from all around the EU, Norway and beyond both on-site and online.
It was a unique opportunity to learn all what is needed to apply to EDF 2024 calls for proposals and to discover and network with potential partners in future EDF projects.
The slides of Day 1 (plenary info session) are now available here.
EDF tutorials
Learn more about some of the European Defence Fund specific features via our set of tutorials.
Financial aspects
- Costs categories and eligible costs (video, slides)
- Actual indirect costs (video, slides)
- Detailed budget tables (video, slides)
Other aspects
- PIC registration and validation process (video)
- SME and Mid-cap assessment (video, slides)
- Ownership control assessment (video, slides)
Am I eligible for funding?
Applying for funding requires the creation of a consortium consisting of at least three Member States or associated countries (currently only Norway). Calls for disruptive technologies allow smaller consortia (at least two entities from two Member States or associated countries).
Recipients and subcontractors must be EU-based, with their executive management structure in the EU.
They should not be controlled by a non-associated third country, with exceptions possible through approved guarantees. Entities from non-associated third countries can participate, but under conditions ensuring the EU security and defence interests, without receiving EDF funding.
The EU Defence Innovation Scheme
As part of the EDF, the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) was set up to facilitate smaller players and innovators be part of the European defence sector.
EUDIS is here to support smaller players and innovators throughout their development cycle to mature, scale-up, demonstrate their use-case and successfully enter the market.
Need more help?
Your EDF National Focal Point (NFP) can assist you to find more information about the opportunities provided by the European Defence Fund.
European Defence Fund National Focal Points (NFPs)
What are European Defence Fund National Focal Points?
The National Focal Points are individuals nominated by EU Member States and countries associated to the European Defence Fund (Norway) that are supported by national structures established under the responsibility and control of the Member States and Norway.
NFPs will support the implementation of the European Defence Fund: working closely with DG DEFIS they will reach out to stakeholders, notably applicants and potential applicants, provide information and advice to potential applicants and beneficiaries of the EDF programme and assist in building partnerships, throughout the EDF life cycle.
Contacts
For any question related to the EDF calls for proposals: DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu
For any other question related to the EDF: DEFIS-EDF@ec.europa.eu
Multimedia Library
You can find here below the links to all our videos:
- The European Defence Fund (General Video)
- How to Apply to EDF Funding
- Discover the EDF 2022 Work Programme
- Leading to the EDF: EDIDP & PADR Precusor Programmes
Useful links
- The European Defence Fund (EDF) on the Funding & Tenders Portal: Funding & tenders (europa.eu)
- EU Defence Innovation Scheme Webpage
- EDF Regulation on EU-LEX: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/697/oj
- Network of European Defence Fund National Focal Points
