European Defence Fund
EDF Overview
The European Defence Fund (EDF) is the EU’s new mechanism to fund collaborative research and development of Defence products and technologies in the period 2021-2027.
By the decision of Croatian Ministry of Defence – Croatian defence industry competitiveness cluster is appointed as association to host National Focal Point for EDF. The National Focal Points (NFP’s) are individuals nominated by EU Member States and countries associated to the European Defence Fund (Norway) that are supported by national structures established under the responsibility and control of the Member States and Norway.
As appointed NFP, CDICC will support the implementation of the European Defence Fund: working closely with DG DEFIS they will reach out to stakeholders, notably applicants and potential applicants, provide information and advice to potential applicants and beneficiaries of the EDF programme and assist in building partnerships and collaboration projects, throughout the EDF life cycle.
Budget & Funding
The Fund has a budget of nearly €7.3 billion for 2021-2027, with €2.7 billion allocated for collaborative defence research and €5.3 billion for collaborative capability development projects that complement national contributions. The financial support is offered primarily through grants up to 100% of eligible costs contingent on activities involved and a bonus system that considers SMEs, mid-caps, and connection to a PESCO project.
EDF Work Programme 2026
The EDF Work Programme 2026 covers 31 call for proposals under 17 categories, organized into seven thematic calls, three non-thematic calls, one action on hypersonic glide vehicle threats, and two supporting the EU Alliance for defence medical countermeasures.
Half the budget supports collaborative R&D on key defence priorities, including an EU interceptor, main battle tank, rocket launcher, and semi-autonomous vessel.
A quarter is allocated to advanced technologies like quantum-secured networks and electronic warfare, while the rest funds the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), with €60 million each for disruptive tech and SME proposals.
Impact & Results
The EDF reduces fragmentation in European defence investment, boosts industrial competitiveness, and supports interoperability. Since 2021, the Commission has committed nearly €6.5 billion, making it a leading global defence R&D investor.
EDF Work Programme 2026 Categories
Budget allocation across different categories (in € millions)
| Categories of actions | Research | Development | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Defence medical support, CBRN, biotech and human factors | 21.5 | 18.5 | 40 |
| 2. Information superiority | |||
| 3. Advanced passive and active sensors | 20 | 24 | 44 |
| 4. Cyber | 14 | – | 14 |
| 5. Space | – | 50 | 50 |
| 6. Digital transformation | 30 | 40 | 70 |
| 7. Energy resilience and environmental transition | 20 | 30 | 50 |
| 8. Materials and components | – | 20 | 20 |
| 9. Air combat | 20 | 49 | 69 |
| 10. Air and missile defence | 68 | 100 | 168 |
| 11. Ground combat | – | 150 | 150 |
| 12. Force protection and mobility | 15 | 9 | 24 |
| 13. Naval combat | – | 90 | 90 |
| 14. Underwater warfare | – | 40 | 40 |
| 15. Simulation and training | – | 16 | 16 |
| 16. Disruptive technologies | 18 | 39 | 57 |
| Non-thematic calls for innovative and future-oriented defence solutions focused on SMEs | 35 | 30 | 65 |
| Other actions | 11.4 | 27.6 | 39 |
| TOTAL | 329.9 | 676.1 | 1006 |
| Among which | |||
| Disruptive | 18 | 39 | 57 |
| SMEs | 35 | 30 | 65 |
EDF Work Programme Calls for Proposals
14 Research call topics | 16 Development call topics
| Call for proposal categories | Research call topics | Development call topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Defence medical support, CBRN, biotech and human factors | EDF-2026-RA-SGA-MCBRN-MCM-STEP EDF-2026-RA-MCBRN-DST | EDF-2026-DA-SGA-MCBRN-MCM-STEP |
| 2. Information superiority | ||
| 3. Advanced passive and active sensors | EDF-2026-RA-SENS-MSDT-STEP | EDF-2026-DA-SENS-CEW-STEP |
| 4. Cyber | EDF-2026-RA-CYBER-QSTN-STEP | – |
| 5. Space | – | EDF-2026-DA-SPACE-PRS-STEP |
| 6. Digital transformation | EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-AISAO EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-AISAP-STEP | EDF-2026-DA-EXP-DIGIT-MDOC-STEP |
| 7. Energy resilience and environmental transition | EDF-2026-LS-RA-SI-ENERENV-NTFE | EDF-2026-DA-ENERENV-HPES-STEP EDF-2026-DA-ENERENV-AWC-STEP |
| 8. Materials and components | – | EDF-2026-DA-MATCOMP-SMT-STEP |
| 9. Air combat | EDF-2026-RA-AIR-A4R | EDF-2026-DA-AIR-SPS EDF-2026-DA-AIR-STFS |
| 10. Air and missile defence | EDF-2026-RA-EUCI-IBA-DS-AIRDEF-CHGV | EDF-2026-DA-ACC-AIRDEF-EATMI |
| 11. Ground combat | – | EDF-2026-DA-GROUND-MRL EDF-2026-DA-GROUND-MBT |
| 12. Force protection and mobility | EDF-2026-RA-PROTMOB-FMLA | EDF-2026-DA-PROTMOB-DMM |
| 13. Naval combat | – | EDF-2026-DA-NAVAL-EMSAS |
| 14. Underwater warfare | EDF-2026-RA-UWW-FUWN EDF-2026-LS-RA-SI-UWW-CSBI-STEP | – |
| 15. Simulation and training | EDF-2026-RA-SIMTRAIN-MSAI-STEP | – |
| 16. Disruptive technologies | EDF-2026-LS-DIS-NT-STEP | EDF-2026-LS-DA-DIS-OTHR-STEP |
| Out of the scope of categories of actions | EDF-2026-LS-RA-SMERO-NT-STEP | EDF-2026-LS-DA-SME-NT-STEP |