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EUROPEAN DEFENCE FUND – Research actions focused on SMEs and research organisations implemented via lump sum grants – 2025

EDF – The European Defence Fund aims at promoting 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.

2025-10-16
36.000.000 euros
Open

Appeal framework

Call reference EDF-2025-LS-RA-SMERO
Program European Defence Fund
Institution European Commission
Sectors Aeronautics & Space Business & Industry Civil Protection & Risks Justice, Security, Defence Research & Innovation
Beneficiaries EU & International Organisation Local Authority & Affiliated Entity Research centre & university Smes & Start-Ups (< 249 Employees)

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Call reference

EDF-2025-LS-RA-SMERO



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Priorities and funded actions

Objectives

  • To encourage the driving role of innovative SMEs and Research Organisations (RO)
  • To bring forward innovation defence research
  • To adapt technologies from civil applications or to adress hybrid warfare

Priorities

  • Priority 1: to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for defence applications
  • Priority 2: to develop ground-breaking or novel concepts and approaches, new promising future technological improvements or the application of technologies or concepts previously not applied in the defence sector
  • Priority 3: to enhance innovation capacity across Europe by involvement of SMEs that can make a difference in the future
  • Priority 4: to develop a potential for future market creation for SMEs, especially by facilitating access of SMEs to defence markets and supply chains
  • Priority 5: to develop European research and technology ecosystems and to the strengthening of EU Member States’ and EDF Associated Countries’ defence supply chains

 

Among financed actions

  • Activities that aim to create, underpin and improve knowledge, products and technologies, including disruptive technologies
  • Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience
  • Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or upgraded products, technologies, processes, services and solutions
  • Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology as well as the definition of the technical specifications on which such design has been developed, including partial tests for risk reduction in an industrial or representative environment

 

Eligibility

  • Be a legal person
  • Be a public or private entity
  • Be established in one of the eligible countries:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories)
    • Non-EU states: listed EEA countries and countries associated to the European Defence Fund (Click here)
  • The members of the consortium must be SMEs or research organisations

 

Additional information

  • Initial duration of the action: 24 months
  • Contact: DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu

 

Useful

Financement
  • Total budget of the call: 36 million of euros
  • Amount of the grant: up to 4 million euros per proposal
  • Funding rate: up to 100% of the total eligible costs

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