A call for proposals on disruptive technologies for defence is aimed for research proposals on cutting-edge, high-risk/high-impact research leading to game changing impact in a defence context.
The proposals should focus on enhanced or completely new technologies that bring about a paradigm shift in the concept and conduct of defence affairs such as by replacing existing defence technologies or rendering them obsolete.
The European Defence Fund (EDF) supports actions that can help develop disruptive technologies based on concepts or ideas originating from “non-traditional defence’s state-of-art” or emerging technologies equally disruptive, contributing to the development of innovative defence systems.
Rewards & Benefits
Unique focus, fostering SME presence in disruptive technologies through the specific research call for a smaller size consortium of minimum two entities from two EU Member States and Norway
Receive 100% of required funding
Successful beneficiaries can receive business coaching: reduce the time of bringing results to the next phase of development
How does it work?
This is an open and non-thematic call and it follows the same rules as non-thematic calls reserved for SMEs.
Applicants need to be members of a consortium (at least two companies), based in at least two different Member States.
Successful applicants receive funding in the form of a lump sum grant.
Apply for the 2026 Calls
Disruptive technology calls are designed to empower new and non-traditional actors in defence research and innovation, notably excellent researchers, high-potential high-tech SMEs and forward-looking research centres within large companies, universities and research and technology organisations.
By lowering entry barriers and prioritising high-risk, high-impact concepts, these calls aim to catalyse breakthrough technologies with the potential to deliver decisive capability advantages for European armed forces and to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the European defence technological and industrial base.
Applications for the EDF 2026 calls will open soon. This category of actions will be addressed through two calls for proposals with the following topics:
EDF-2026-LS-DA-DIS-OTHR-STEP: New abilities in over-the-horizon sensing
This call focuses on advancing situational awareness and operational superiority, through improved detection, tracking and identification capabilities over large areas with increased range and minimum latency. High-frequency (HF) over-the-horizon (OTH) systems need to be improved, while an EU concept for a cognitive and scalable network of HF OTH sensors could be further explored.
This topic contributes to the STEP objectives in the target investment area of deep and digital technologies.
Indicative budget: EUR 29.000.000
EDF-2026-LS-DIS-NT-STEP: Non-thematic actions targeting disruptive technologies for defence
This call is designed to accelerate the creation and deployment of novel solutions for armed forces and support the uptake of new civilian innovations in the defence sector.
Solutions must embrace disruption to enable armed forces to gain a technological edge and adapt to rapidly evolving security challenges, ultimately ensuring radical technological superiority over potential adversaries.
Proposals must address disruptive knowledge, products and technologies in any area of defence interest from TRL 4 and above, provided that they address one of the STEP investment areas (i.e. digital technologies and deep-tech innovation, clean and resource-efficient technologies, and biotechnologies).
The funded actions should aim to achieve a rapid time-to-market. Thus, the expected duration of each funded action is between 12 and 24 months.
Indicative budget: EUR 27.000.000
Results of the 2024 Calls:
In EDF 2024, following the evaluation process on disruptive calls, 9 project proposals were selected:
- Orchestrating the Operational Deployment of Quantum Resistant Services for Next-Generation Secure Defence Systems and Communications (ORQESTRA)
- Quantum Agile and Resilient Military Communications (Q-ARM)
- Spin-based Quantum Optics for Robust and Precise Inertial Sensing, Orientation and Navigation (SQORPION)
- Disruptive structural radar ABsorBing and EMI shielding cOmposite Technologies (ABBOT)
- Harnessing Adaptive Renewables: Versatile Energy Supply Technology (HARVEST)
- Innovative and Streamlined Water Prefiltration System for Military Personnel (INNOSWAMP)
- METAsurfaces for the next generation of STEALTH platforms (METASTEALTH)
- Disruptive “NEURO-QUantum-AI technology symbiosis” for Real-Time Cognitive Monitoring and Decision Support to improve Pilot Control and Safety (NEUROQUAD)
- Silicon-based materials for the short-wave infrared range (SILFRARED)
Results of the 2023 Call:
In EDF 2023, following the evaluation process on disruptive call, 5 project proposals were selected:
- Command, Control, and Communications for Multi-X Swarms (SWARM-C3)
- Sustainable Water Innovations for Fielded Troops (S.W.I.F.T)
- LAserCEramics (LACE)
- Disruptive Electromagnetic 70 mm Rocket System (DEMAROCK)
- Tactical Advanced Laser Optical Systems: Technologies for High Power Laser, Vulnerability study, Vignette development and Operational Study (TALOS-TWO)
Disruptive technologies calls focus on enhanced or completely new technologies that bring about a radical change, including a paradigm shift in the concept and conduct of defence affairs such as by replacing existing defence technologies or rendering them obsolete.
Proposals should therefore primarily consist of activities aiming to create, underpin and improve disruptive technologies that can achieve significant effects in the area of defence.
Applicants need to be members of a consortium (at least two companies) based in at least two different Member States, and respect the other eligibility conditions of the EDF Regulation as reflected in the call texts.
No. Applicants need to be members of a consortium (at least two companies) based in at least two different Member States.
To apply for a disruptive technologies call, applicants should consult the EDF Work Programme as well as the Commission’s Funding and Tender Opportunities online portal.
Applications for the EDF 2026 calls will open soon. At this stage, no information on the application deadlines is available.
More information on the available opportunities can be found in the Funding and Tenders online portal.
Calls targeting research actions are 100% funded.
A total of up to EUR 56 million are available in 2026 under two disruptive technologies calls on New abilities in over-the-horizon sensing and Non-thematic actions targeting disruptive technologies for defence.