European Defence Fund (EDF)
Supports European security collaboration by financing joint development projects that strengthen defence capability and technology readiness among member partners.
The European Defence Fund is the European Commission's defence research and capability programme under DG DEFIS. It covers 2021-2027 with about EUR 7.3 billion, split between EUR 2.7 billion for collaborative defence research and EUR 5.3 billion for collaborative capability development. EDF is a grant programme, but it is built for consortia rather than solo applicants. Standard calls require at least three entities from three Member States or associated countries, disruptive-technology calls need at least two entities from two Member States, and the funding rate can reach 100 percent of eligible costs. SMEs, mid-caps, and PESCO-linked projects can receive bonuses, and the programme is open to for-profit organisations, non-profits, universities, and research organisations while individuals are excluded. The programme is issued through annual work programmes with roughly 31 to 34 call topics and is applied for through the Funding and Tenders Portal. It is best suited to EU-based organisations with management structures in the Union and collaborative defence technology work that can carry from research into demonstrator and capability phases.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.