EUDIS targets SMEs, start-ups, and other small players new to the defence sector. The EDF includes specific calls targeting SMEs to lower entry barriers into the defence domain.
Rewards & Benefits
Funding opportunity for R&D of innovative defence products, solutions and technologies.
Submit project proposals for development actions with funding up to EUR 6 million and project proposals for research action with funding up to EUR 4 million per project, as innovative SME get a driving role to turn technology and research results into defence products.
Address any subject of interest for defence and receive grant funding for a wide array of topics.
Beneficiaries can receive business coaching: reduce the time of bringing results from research to development, or eventually to the market.
How does it work?
Every year there are two open and non-thematic SME R&D calls targeting SMEs and RTOs.
A call for development actions is aimed for consortia of SMEs. This call topic is open to any technology development for defence. The proposals should describe the targeted functionalities and the foreseen means to measure progress toward the achievements of these functionalities.
A call for research actions is aimed for consortia of SMEs and research organizations. This call topic is open to any technological research for defence. The coordinator of the consortium needs to be an SME. The budget allocated to research organisations cannot exceed 40% of the total grant amount requested. The call is open for several applications.
Apply for the 2026 Calls
EDF-2026-LS-DIS-RA-SMERO-NT: Non-thematic research actions by SMEs and research organisations
The proposals must demonstrate their disruptive impact on defence applications and address innovative technologies and solutions for defence, including those that can improve the readiness, deployability, reliability, safety and sustainability of forces in defence tasks and missions, for example in terms of operations, equipment, infrastructure, energy solutions, surveillance systems or digital solutions.
Proposals must address disruptive knowledge, products and technologies in any area of defence interest (*) reaching at least TRL 4.
In addition, to best complement R&D efforts that already target civil applications and encourage the efficient spinning-in of knowledge, innovation and technological development to the defence sector, this topic also welcomes proposals for add-on research actions to adapt solutions originally developed for civilian applications and previously not applied in defence.
Indicative budget: EUR 35.000.000
Specific to this call: Proposals (Part B) are limited to maximum 50 pages, counting the work package descriptions. Only three criteria apply for evaluation, which will be performed in a cascade approach. More info available in the call document.
Apply for this call
(*) As described in the two Guidance Notes on the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) – C(2024) 3148 final of 8.5.2024 and C(2025) 6798 of 23.12.2025 available here: STEP documents – European Union
EDF-2026-LS-DA-SME-NT: Non-thematic development actions by SMEs
The proposals must address innovative defence products, solutions and technologies, including those that can improve readiness, deployability, reliability, safety and sustainability of forces in defence tasks and missions, for example in terms of operations, equipment, infrastructure, energy solutions, surveillance systems or digital solutions.
Proposals must address disruptive knowledge, products and technologies in any area of defence interest (*) reaching at least TRL 4.
In addition, to best complement R&D efforts that already target civil applications and encourage the efficient spinning-in of knowledge, innovation and technological development to the defence sector, this call topic also welcomes proposals for add-on development actions to adapt solutions originally developed for civil applications and previously not applied in the defence sector.
Indicative budget: EUR 30.000.000
(*) As described in the two Guidance Notes on the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) – C(2024) 3148 final of 8.5.2024 and C(2025) 6798 of 23.12.2025 available here: STEP documents – European Union
Results of the 2025 SME Calls:
In EDF 2025, following the evaluation process on SME calls, 16 project proposals were selected for funding.
Results of the 2024 SME Calls:
In EDF 2024, following the evaluation process on SME calls, 19 project proposals were selected for funding.
Results of the 2023 SME Calls:
In EDF 2023, following the evaluation process on SME calls, 17 project proposals were selected for funding.
What are open and non-thematic SME calls?
To apply for this call, consult the EDF Work Programme and the Commission’s Funding and Tender Opportunities online portal.
Applicants need to be members of a consortium (at least three companies) based in at least three different Member States.
Successful applicants receive funding in the form of a lump sum grant.
Who can participate in the open and non-thematic SME calls?
Open and non-thematic SME research calls specifically target SMEs and research organisations.
Open and non-thematic SME development calls target SMEs.
Applicants need to be members of a consortium (at least three companies) based in at least three different Member States.
Can single SMEs apply?
No. Applicants need to be members of a consortium (at least three companies) based in at least three different Member States.
How do SMEs apply?
To apply for the open and non-thematic SME call, applicants should consult the Work Programme 2026 as well as the Commission’s Funding and Tender Opportunities online portal.
Which are the application deadlines?
Applications for the EDF 2026 calls will close 29 September 2026, 17:00, Brussels time.
More information can be found in the Funding and Tenders online portal.
Will SMEs and research organizations receive 100% of funding for research actions?
Calls targeting research actions (dedicated to SMEs and research organisation) are 100% funded.
Will SMEs receive 100% of funding for development actions?
Please see the funding rates for development actions:
| Activity type | EU baseline funding rate | Bonuses | EU maximum funding rate |
| Integrating knowledge | 65% | 100% | |
| Studies | 90% | 100% | |
| Design | 65% | 100% | |
| Prototyping | 20% | 55% | |
| Testing | 45% | 80% | |
| Qualification | 70% | 80% | |
| Certification | 70% | 80% | |
| Increasing efficiency | 65% | 100% |