EDF-Arbeitsprogramm 2026 am 17.12.2025 angenommen; 31 Call-Topics. Die einzelnen Einreichungsfristen der 2026-Calls sind auf der ausgewerteten Seite nicht angegeben.
The European Defence Fund (EDF) supports companies across Member States (and Norway) to develop competitive, collaborative defence projects delivering innovative and interoperable defence technologies and equipment. It has a budget of nearly EUR 7.3 billion for 2021-2027; the 2026 Annual Work Programme (adopted 17 December 2025) earmarks EUR 1 billion for collaborative defence R&D across 31 call topics. Support is mainly through grants of up to 100% of eligible costs (activity-dependent) with a bonus system for SMEs, mid-caps and PESCO-linked projects. Applying requires a consortium of at least three entities from three Member States or associated countries.
Collaborative defence research and capability development; personnel, subcontracting and other costs per EDF Regulation and the EDF Work Programme (Financial Support to Third Parties / cascade funding is possible for all EDF 2026 projects).
The EDF is implemented directly by the European Commission (DG DEFIS) through annual work programmes structured along 34 thematic and horizontal categories, in close cooperation with Member States (EDF Programme Committee, with EDA and EEAS involvement). Total budget for 2021-2027 nearly EUR 7.3 billion (EUR 2.7 billion for collaborative defence research, EUR 5.3 billion for collaborative capability development). The 2026 Annual Work Programme (adopted 17 December 2025) earmarks EUR 1 billion for collaborative R&D across 31 call topics: seven thematic calls, three non-thematic calls, one action on hypersonic glide vehicle threats and two on EU defence medical countermeasures. Roughly half the budget supports major defence capabilities (e.g. an EU endo-atmospheric interceptor, a main battle tank, a multiple rocket launcher, a semi-autonomous vessel); one quarter forward-looking critical technologies (quantum-secured networks, electronic warfare, multi-domain operations cloud, high-performance energy systems); one quarter the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), including around EUR 60 million for disruptive technologies and EUR 60 million for non-thematic SME calls. Grants cover up to 100% of eligible costs depending on the activity, with bonuses for SMEs, mid-caps and PESCO-linked projects. Eligibility: a consortium of at least three entities from three Member States or associated countries (currently only Norway); disruptive-technology calls allow at least two entities from two countries. Recipients and subcontractors must be EU-based with their executive management structure in the EU and must not be controlled by a non-associated third country (exceptions via approved guarantees). Entities from non-associated third countries may participate under conditions but receive no EDF funding. Per-topic budgets and deadlines are set in the EDF Work Programme 2026 and its amendments (not detailed on the harvested page). Special eligibility, ownership-control and export-control rules apply.
Compiled by FundedBy from public sources. Confirm details with the funding body before applying.
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