ASTRID — Specific Support for Defense-Interest Research (Accompagnement Spécifique des Travaux de Recherches d'Intérêt Défense)

ASTRID is the French defence innovation agency's annual route for exploratory research with both civilian and military uses. It is funded by the Agence de l'innovation de défense and implemented operationally by ANR, with projects spanning themes such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber, photonics, materials, energy, and bio/NRBC. The 2026 call is built for French labs and small and medium-sized enterprises that can work inside that dual-use frame. The programme offers grants of up to 400,000 euros for projects lasting 18 to 36 months. Its structure suits early-stage technical ideas that still need to prove their scientific and operational value, rather than full-scale procurement work. Eligibility includes research bodies and companies in France, and the call requires dual-use relevance. ASTRID also carries an intellectual-property profile that applicants need to take seriously: selected projects include clauses requiring DGA prior authorisation before any exclusive licensing or sale of the resulting IP. That makes the programme attractive for teams that can manage defence-related constraints without losing research momentum. The best fit is a project that is exploratory, technically credible, and able to show why a result matters on both the civil and defence sides.

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