Are you currently developing new and interesting technologies or products? Then perhaps the European Commission (EC) is looking for your innovation! The EC offers funding via the European Defence Fund (EDF) 2021-2027 for new technologies and products that can be a great asset to the (European) defence industry. The EDF will not only strengthen the industry and strategic autonomy, but will also give you the chance to offer a valuable contribution on a European level and collaborate with other parties! The EDF call of 2025 is open for submissions from mid February until 14 October 2025.

European Defence Fund (EDF) Work Programme 2025

The Europesan Committe published the fifth annual work programme. For this programme, € 1.065 billion has been allocated to support the development of essential defence technologies and capabilities. There are 33 topics identified in 2025 for which projects can be considered. The main components within which an application can be made are: medical-response, communication technologies, space, air/ground combat, cyber resilience, digitalisation, energy independence, materials & components. Innovative technologies that can be used for defence include: sensors, radar systems, stronger materials, cameras, drones, better batteries or, for example, mobility. The programme is open for submission of proposals from mid February to 16 October 2025.

An information day about the European Defence Fund call of 2025 will be held on 2 and 3 April 2025.

For whom is the European Defence Fund?

The EC aims to encourage more SMEs to participate within the programme. The preparatory programme EDIDP was for that reason specifically focused on SMEs. This aim has now also been extended to the new fund by encouraging collaboration between businesses, research institutes and universities. Business no matter their size, from SMEs to midcaps, are invited to participate and collaborate.

There are some requirements in order to participate in a collaborative project:

• Participating organisations have to be located in an EU Member State;
• Participating organisations are owned by members of the EU;
• Project proposals are focused on the needs of the defence industry.

The European Defence Fund (EDF) for SMEs

The European Defence Fund (EDF) 2025 offers special funding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the defence sector. SMEs play a crucial role in developing innovative technologies and strategic capabilities that strengthen the European defence industry. Within the EDF 2025 work program, there are two specific SME calls:

1. EDF-2025-LS-RA-SMERO-NT (Non-thematic Research Actions by SMEs and Research Organisations)

This call supports research conducted by SMEs and research organizations. The focus is on fundamental and applied research that can drive disruptive innovations in defence technologies. The maximum grant amount is € 4 million per project

Key Features:

• Focused on research projects without predefined themes;
• Open to SMEs and research organizations contributing to new defence solutions;
• Aimed at the early stages of technological development in the defence sector.

2. EDF-2025-LS-DA-SME-NT (Non-thematic Development Actions by SMEs)

This call is specifically designed for SMEs working on the development of new defence technologies. The focus is on validating and integrating innovative solutions into defence systems. The maximum grant amount is € 6 million per project.

Key Features:

• Focused on technological development, prototyping, and system integration;
• Accessible only to SMEs as main applicants;
• No predefined themes, allowing companies to address current technological challenges;
• Projects must result in concrete defence solutions that contribute to Europe’s strategic autonomy.

Eligibility criteria for SME Calls

To be eligible for funding under EDF-2025-LS-RA-SMERO-NT and EDF-2025-LS-DA-SME-NT, companies must meet the following criteria:

• SME status: The applicant must meet the EU definition of an SME (fewer than 250 employees, annual turnover < €50 million, balance sheet total < €43 million);
• The applicant must be established in an EU member state or EDF-associated country;
• The consortium must consist of at least three parties from three member states or EDF associated countries;
• The coordinator of the consortium must be an SME. The budget allocated to research organisations cannot exceed 40% of the total requested grant amount;
• Projects must focus on new technological breakthroughs in the defence sector;
• For Development Actions (DA-SME-NT): Projects must lead to concrete technological advancements and prototypes.

Project requirements

The European Defence Fund encourages cooperation among businesses, research institutions, and governments to develop new defence technologies. Selected projects under the 2022 call for example, included next-generation aircraft fighters, tanks, ships, and space-based early warning systems. Disruptive technologies and promising SMEs are also part of the mix. Success is measured by achieving project objectives, advancing defence capabilities, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Projects should enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy and strengthen its defence industrial base.

Which topics are eligible?

Within the EDF Work Programme 2025, the following topics are eligible:

• Defence medical support, CBRN, biotech and human factors
• Information superiority
• Advanced passive and active sensors
• Cyber
• Space
• Digital transformation
• Energy resilience and environmental 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

Are you working within one of the above topics specifically on drone technologies within the defence domain? If so, here you can read here more about calls within the EDF Work Programme 2025 that align with this.

Budget and grant amount

The EDF has a total budget of nearly € 8 billion for 2021-2027. From this budget € 2.7 billion is allocated for collaborative defence research, and € 5.3 billion is for collaborative capability development projects that complement national contributions. The EDF provides varying funding rates for different types of activities. Research activities can be funded up to 100%, while development activities have different funding rates, complementing Member States’ or industrial investments, ranging from 20% to 80% (from prototyping to certification).

European Defence Fund application support

Do you want to know more about the European Defence Fund? We would be pleased to find out whether your project is a match for the EDF or any other funding programme. You can contact us via info@hezelburcht.com, call to 088 495 20 00 or fill in the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.