EDF Research Actions

EDF Research Actions sit under the European Defence Fund in DG DEFIS and fund collaborative defence research at early Technology Readiness Levels. The 2026 envelope for the full EDF is about EUR 1 billion, with roughly EUR 329 million reserved for research actions. The track is built for EU-based consortia, not solo applicants, and the public call slate covers topics such as quantum-secured networks, multi-domain sensors, autonomous air-to-air refuelling, and CBRN decontamination. The instrument is a grant. The 2026 call structure shows 26 open calls with topic budgets ranging from roughly EUR 14 million to more than EUR 150 million, and the funding rate can reach 100 percent of eligible costs. Applicants normally need at least three independent organisations from three different Member States, although some disruptive-technology calls sit under the EUDIS umbrella and work with smaller consortia. The strongest fit is a research consortium that can translate a defence concept into a credible workplan, governance model, and technical milestones. The annual cycle is clear, the portal is centralised, and the programme rewards teams that can join a defined topic quickly rather than pitching open-ended ideas.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.