EDIDP/EDF

The Fund will complement Member States’ investment by co-financing up to 20% of the costs for prototype development and up to 80% of ensuing certification and testing activities. In the acquisition phase, the Commission cannot offer financial support but can practically support Member States if they decide to acquire jointly capabilities.

EDF in 2025

The 2025 EDF Work Programme unlocks substantial funding to support the development of critical defence technologies and capabilities. Key areas receiving funding include ground combat, space, air combat, energy resilience, and environmental transition. The programme also introduces measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps through the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS).

Since the EDF Regulation came into effect in May 2021, the Commission has committed €5.4 billion to defence R&D, positioning itself as a key investor in European defence innovation. The EDF plays a crucial role in reducing investment fragmentation, strengthening industrial cooperation, and fostering interoperability across Member States. The EDF 2025 Work Programme aligns with EU capability priorities and the Strategic Compass. It launches nine competitive calls for proposals across 31 topics, including:

• 15 research topics to explore new defence technologies.
• 15 development topics to bring advanced capabilities to market.
• 1 topic to support the EDF National Focal Points network.

In addition, 14 topics will support the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), focusing on digital technologies, deep-tech innovation, clean and resource-efficient technologies, and biotechnologies. Two specific grant agreements will further support the Alliance for Defence Medical Countermeasures.

Background

The EDF is the European Commission's primary instrument for supporting collaborative defence R&D, complementing Member States’ efforts by fostering cooperation among companies and research institutions across the EU and Norway. The fund ensures European industry remains at the forefront of cutting-edge defence technology and innovation. 

With a total budget of €7.3 billion for 2021-2027, the EDF is structured around two main pillars:

• Funding collaborative defence research to address emerging security threats.
• Co-funding capability development projects to enhance European defence readiness.
• A €1.5 billion reinforcement from the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) for 2024-2027 further boosts investments in digital technologies, deep-tech innovation, clean energy solutions, and biotechnologies. Between 4% and 8% of the EDF budget is dedicated to developing disruptive technologies with game-changing potential.

About EUDIS

The EDF 2025 Work Programme continues its support for defence innovation through the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS). This initiative provides grants and services to start-ups, SMEs, research organizations, and accelerators, helping them navigate market entry barriers and bring pioneering ideas to the defence sector. This year's programme includes:

• A technological challenge in Artificial Intelligence.
• R&D calls fostering civil-defence synergies in space, energy resilience, ground combat, and cyber.
• Continued support for start-ups and SMEs through cascade funding.
• Eligibility for Ukrainian entities to receive acceleration support.