European Defence Fund (EDF) - calls 2026

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).

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The European Defence Fund is the Commission’s instrument to support collaborative Research and Development in defence. It is implemented through annual work programmes. The sixth European Defence Fund (EDF) Work Programme addresses 31 topics in total, organised around 9 thematic calls, 1 non-thematic call, one action to focus on threats from hypersonic glide vehicles, and two actions in support of the EU Alliance for defence medical countermeasures.

TOPICS :

Defence Industry

Digital Transformation

• AI-based tactical situational awareness using swarms of small robots and drones – participation in and organisation of a technological challenge

• Military multi-domain operations cloud services

Energy Resilience and Environmental Transition

• New turbofan engine • High-performance energy systems

• Ammunition Waste Collection and Disposal Unmanned Platform

Materials and Components • Smart and multifunctional textiles

Air Combat

• Autonomous and automatic air-to-air refuelling

• Self-protection systems

• Smart technologies for next generation fighter systems

Air & Missile Defence

• Countering hypersonic glide vehicles

• High-end endo-atmospheric interception

Ground Combat

• Multiple rocket launcher

• Future main battle tank platform systems

Force Protection and Mobility

• Future multirole light aircraft

• Secure digital military mobility system

Naval Combat

• Enhanced medium-size semi-autonomous surface vessels

Underwater Warfare

• Development and validation of models predicting flow-related underwater noise

• Layered critical seabed infrastructure protection

Simulation and Training

• Modelling & simulation supported AI framework for military decision-making and training

Disruptive Technologies

• New abilities in over-the-horizon sensing

• Non-thematic actions targeting disruptive technologies for defence

Non- thematic calls for innovative and future-oriented defence solutions focused on SMEs

• Call for proposals dedicated to SMEs and research organisations

• Call for proposals dedicated to SMEs

Other actions*

• Business Coaching for SMEs

• Defence Equity Facility under InvestEU for SMEs and Mid-Caps

• EUDIS Defence hackathons

• EUDIS Business Accelerator

• EUDIS Matchmaking Services