Strengthening European Defence Through Innovation. Launch of EDF 2025 Work Programme

Boosting Defence Tech Innovation with EUDIS

The EDF 2025 Work Programme continues its support for defence innovation through the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS). This year's programme includes:

• A technological challenge in Artificial Intelligence.
• R&D calls fostering civil-defence synergies in space, energy resilience, ground combat, and cyber.
• Continued support for start-ups and SMEs through cascade funding.
• Eligibility for Ukrainian entities to receive acceleration support.

Furthermore, the 2025 programme will fund the 2nd EUDIS Defence Hackathon (9-11 May 2025), taking place across eight EU locations to develop solutions for Ukraine and similar operational contexts; the EUDIS Business Accelerator to support start-ups and scale-ups; Matchmaking Services connecting innovators with investors and defence end-users; the continuation of the Defence Equity Facility (DEF), supporting private funds investing in dual-use defence technologies; and Business Coaching for EDF beneficiaries to enhance commercial viability.

Recognizing the importance of disruptive innovation, 4% of the EDF 2025 budget is allocated to a call addressing breakthrough technologies. An additional 6% is earmarked for non-thematic calls targeting innovative and future defence solutions, with a specific focus on SMEs.

Investing in Future Defence Solutions

The EDF 2025 Work Programme unlocks substantial funding to support the development of critical defence technologies and capabilities. Key areas receiving funding include ground combat, space, air combat, energy resilience, and environmental transition.

It launches nine competitive calls for proposals across 31 topics, including:

• 15 research topics to explore new defence technologies.
• 15 development topics to bring advanced capabilities to market.
• 1 topic to support the EDF National Focal Points network.

In addition, 14 topics will support the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), focusing on digital technologies, deep-tech innovation, clean and resource-efficient technologies, and biotechnologies. Two specific grant agreements will further support the Alliance for Defence Medical Countermeasures.

More than €40 million is dedicated to R&D in critical areas such as cyber defence, naval combat, underwater warfare, simulation and training, and advanced sensor technologies. Calls for proposals will also focus on enabling technologies, including autonomous triage and evacuation, multifunctional information distribution systems, human-AI dialogue, and chiplets for defence applications.

Calls for proposals will open in mid-February 2025, with a submission deadline of 16 October 2025.

Background on the European Defence Fund

The EDF is the European Commission's primary instrument for supporting collaborative defence R&D, complementing Member States’ efforts by fostering cooperation among companies and research institutions across the EU and Norway. The fund ensures European industry remains at the forefront of cutting-edge defence technology and innovation. 

Since the EDF Regulation came into effect in May 2021, the Commission has committed €5.4 billion to defence R&D, positioning itself as a key investor in European defence innovation. The EDF plays a crucial role in reducing investment fragmentation, strengthening industrial cooperation, and fostering interoperability across Member States. 

With a total budget of €7.3 billion for 2021-2027, the EDF is structured around two main pillars:

• Funding collaborative defence research to address emerging security threats.
• Co-funding capability development projects to enhance European defence readiness.
• A €1.5 billion reinforcement from the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) for 2024-2027 further boosts investments in digital technologies, deep-tech innovation, clean energy solutions, and biotechnologies. Between 4% and 8% of the EDF budget is dedicated to developing disruptive technologies with game-changing potential.

Through its 2025 Work Programme, the European Defence Fund reaffirms its commitment to advancing Europe’s defence capabilities, fostering innovation, and supporting industry-wide collaboration. By promoting interoperability and investing in cutting-edge technologies, the EDF plays a crucial role in ensuring Europe remains secure and resilient in an evolving global landscape.