EDF – European Defence Fund

The EDF is the EU’s main defence R&D funding programme, but its consortium rules are demanding. We find out whether the EDF suits you and handle the application.

On this page

Introduction
Who can apply?
How much funding is available?
When to apply?
How an application proceeds in Finland
What we do
Sources

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is an EU programme that funds collaborative European defence research and development projects. Its budget for 2021–2027 is nearly €7.3 billion. The 2026 work programme earmarks around €1 billion for collaborative projects. Funding is awarded mainly as grants through competitive calls.

Who can apply?

EDF funding is applied for as a consortium, not alone.

A consortium has at least three independent entities from at least three EU Member States or associated countries. The associated countries are Norway and Ukraine.
In calls on disruptive technologies, two entities from two countries are enough.
Participants can be start-ups, SMEs, mid-caps, large companies or research organisations.
An entity receiving funding must be established in the EU or an associated country, with its executive management there. It must not be controlled by a non-associated third country, unless approved guarantees allow an exception.

How much funding is available?

Research actions: the EU can fund up to 100% of eligible costs.
Development actions: the EU funding rate is 20–100%, depending on the activity. The rest is covered by national funding or the company’s own money.
Bonuses: the funding rate can rise when SMEs or mid-caps account for a significant share of the project’s costs, or when the project is linked to a PESCO project (the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation on defence).
National co-funding: Business Finland can complement EDF funding so that public funding rises to at most 90% of the project costs. This requires an EDF funding decision and that the project meets the criteria for national R&D funding.

Smaller players have their own route, the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS). Its share of the 2026 EDF budget is €231 million. EUDIS includes, among other things, open non-thematic calls for SMEs, calls on disruptive technologies, cascade funding, a business accelerator and up to 15 days of coaching for SMEs taking part in EDF projects.

When to apply?

EDF calls open once a year, based on the Commission’s work programme. The 2026 call was open from 11.2. to 29.9.2026, and the results are expected in April 2027. The next calls will be based on the 2027 work programme. Check the current calls on the Commission’s EDF pages.

Large EDF projects may also run open calls for SMEs and start-ups. For example, the BattleVerse project is looking for companies that develop simulation software, and its call is open until 16.11.2026.

How an application proceeds in Finland

Topic and partners. A topic is chosen from the work programme, and a consortium is built with European partners.
National support. A project-specific support request is submitted to the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry can support the project with national co-funding, military guidance or a letter of support.
Business Finland. If the Ministry passes the request on to Business Finland, co-funding is applied for in its online service. Granted funding is confirmed in a co-funding declaration, which the Commission requires.
Application to the Commission. The consortium submits the application in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

In Finland, the EDF National Focal Point is at Business Finland, and the alternate is at the Ministry of Defence.

What we do

An EDF application needs a consortium, national support and a tight schedule. Bureaucracy is our problem, not yours. We find out whether the EDF suits your company, prepare the application and handle the contact with the funder. Read also about dual-use funding, EU funding and Business Finland funding.