European Commission · DG DEFIS

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European Defence Fund (EDF)

Since 2026 Ukraine has been associated to the European Defence Fund, and a Ukrainian company counts in a consortium on a par with a European one. The time between calls is exactly when to look for partners: an EDF proposal is not written in a month.

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Start with a one-hour consultation: we check eligibility and map out the route to a full application.

About the programme

What the programme is and who it is for

What it funds

The European Defence Fund finances collaborative defence research and development: from new technologies to prototypes, testing and certification. Projects are carried out by consortia from at least three countries.

Who funds it

The Fund is run by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS). Proposals are evaluated by the Commission with independent experts; development actions additionally require co-financing from the participating states.

Who it suits

  • Ukrainian developers of defence technology, research institutions and manufacturers with an R&D unit
  • Companies ready to work in a consortium with partners from at least two other countries
  • Not for those who need money for serial production, or for companies controlled by third countries without guarantees
Official pages: DG DEFIS: European Defence Fund EDF-2026-RA call document (research) EDF-2026-DA call document (development) DG DEFIS: 612 proposals for the EDF 2026 calls (2 October 2026) DG DEFIS: Ukraine’s association to the EDF entered into force (16 October 2026) Verkhovna Rada: ratification of the EDF association agreement (draft law 0390) Network of EDF National Focal Points EUDIS: the Fund’s innovation scheme
In depth

The programme in detail

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is the EU’s main instrument for collaborative defence research and development. It operates under Regulation (EU) 2021/697, has almost EUR 7.3 billion for 2021–2027 and launches calls every year under a work programme: thematic calls, calls for disruptive technologies and separate calls for SMEs. The Commission adopted the 2026 work programme of about EUR 1 billion on 17 December 2025; the calls were open from 11 February to 29 September 2026 and drew a record 612 proposals.

For Ukraine, 2026 was a turning point. The agreement on association to the Fund was signed in July 2026, the Verkhovna Rada ratified it on 16 September (Law No. 4989-IX), and on 16 October DG DEFIS announced its entry into force. Ukrainian legal entities are now eligible as beneficiaries and subcontractors, and Ukraine, together with Norway, counts towards the minimum consortium composition. The 2026 calls were the first open to Ukrainian applicants: applying as a consortium member was allowed even before the agreement entered into force.

The Fund finances two types of action. Research is covered at 100% of eligible costs. In development the rate depends on the type of activity and ranges from 20% for a prototype to 90% for feasibility studies; the difference is covered by the participants themselves and by states, so a co-financing declaration is attached to a development proposal. Bonuses raise the rate: for a project within PESCO, and for the participation of SMEs and mid-caps. Indirect costs are calculated at a flat rate of 25%.

The EDF suits companies and research institutions with a technology that a European consortium lacks, and with the patience for a long cycle: more than a year passes from proposal to grant agreement. It does not suit those looking for money for serial production (for that there is the Ukraine Support Instrument under EDIP) or for a quick grant to refine a prototype (Brave1, EUDIS). The most realistic first step for a Ukrainian company is the role of partner or subcontractor in a consortium led by an experienced European coordinator.

Application status: Between application rounds

The EDF 2026 calls closed on 29 September 2026: 612 proposals for EUR 1.006 billion, with results by March 2027. These were the Fund’s first calls open to Ukrainian applicants. As of 13 November 2026 there is no work programme for 2027 on the DG DEFIS page; the previous one was adopted on 17 December 2025 and its calls opened on 11 February 2026. The only call open now is the BattleVerse cascade call for SMEs and start-ups – until 16 November 2026.

Programme terms

Key facts about “European Defence Fund (EDF)”

Only what is confirmed in the official programme sources, as of 13.11.2026.

What it is

Regulation (EU) 2021/697: almost EUR 7.3 billion for 2021–2027. The 2026 work programme is about EUR 1 billion. The Fund is run by the European Commission’s DG DEFIS.

Ukraine’s status

The association agreement was signed in July 2026, ratified on 16 September 2026 and has been in force since October 2026. Ukrainian legal entities are eligible beneficiaries and subcontractors, and Ukraine, like Norway, counts towards the minimum consortium composition.

Research

Research actions are funded at 100% of eligible costs. In 2026 the topics had budgets of EUR 10–20 million each. Evaluation: six criteria, a maximum of 45 points, threshold 30.

Development

The base rate depends on the type of activity: feasibility studies – 90%, design – 65%, prototype – 20%, testing – 45%, qualification and certification – 70%. A maximum of 55 points, threshold 37.

Consortium

At least three independent legal entities from three eligible countries; in the calls for disruptive technologies, two from two countries. Executive management is in eligible countries, with no control by third countries.

Entry point for SMEs

EUDIS is the Fund’s innovation scheme for SMEs and start-ups: 23% of the EDF 2026 budget, EUR 231 million. It includes non-thematic calls for SMEs, cascade grants, an accelerator and hackathons.

Sources: DG DEFIS: European Defence Fund, EDF-2026-RA call document (research), EDF-2026-DA call document (development), DG DEFIS: 612 proposals for the EDF 2026 calls (2 October 2026), DG DEFIS: Ukraine’s association to the EDF entered into force (16 October 2026), Verkhovna Rada: ratification of the EDF association agreement (draft law 0390), Network of EDF National Focal Points, EUDIS: the Fund’s innovation scheme.

Check terms and deadlines on the official programme page before applying: they are updated from round to round.

Expert consultation

Discuss “European Defence Fund (EDF)” with an expert before you write the application

A one-hour online session with a GetGrant specialist who works with this programme. You get an honest answer on whether you qualify and a plan for the coming weeks.

How we help with this programme

  • We find a place for your technology in the topics of the work programme and match you with a consortium that needs you as a partner.
  • We check eligibility: ownership and control, the origin of your background, the need for access to classified information.
  • We write your part of the proposal in English: the technical description, work packages, the budget by cost category, the declarations.
Analysis

Requirements, stages and what to watch for

Our analysis is based on the official programme rules and GetGrant materials. Check the current call before applying: conditions change from round to round.

01Applicant requirements

  • A legal entity established in an EU Member State or an associated country – Norway or Ukraine – with its executive management in those countries.
  • Consortium: at least three independent beneficiaries from three eligible countries. In the calls for disruptive technologies, two from two countries.
  • A participant is not controlled by a non-associated third country or an entity from one. The exception is guarantees approved by the state where the participant is established.
  • The same requirements apply to associated partners and to subcontractors with a direct contract, with a share of 10% of costs or more, or with access to classified information.
  • The background you bring into the project, and the results, must not be subject to control or restrictions by a non-associated third country.
  • An ownership control declaration – for every participant.

02What is funded and on what terms

  • Research actions – 100% of eligible costs. In 2026 research topics had budgets of EUR 10 million to EUR 20 million.
  • Development actions, base rates by type of activity: feasibility studies – 90%, design – 65%, system prototype – 20%, testing – 45%, qualification and certification – 70%.
  • Bonuses on top of the rate: +10 points for a PESCO project; up to +5 for the participation of non-cross-border SMEs, or double the cost share of cross-border SMEs; +10 for mid-caps with a share of 15% of costs or more.
  • Ceiling with bonuses: 55% for a prototype, 80% for testing, qualification and certification, 100% for the other types of activity.
  • Indirect costs are a flat rate of 25%. Most grants are based on actual costs; lump sums are used in the calls for disruptive technologies and for SMEs.
  • Cascade funding within the Fund’s projects is open to Ukrainian companies too: this is how BattleVerse works, for example.

03Selection stages and timing

  • The Commission adopts the work programme at the end of the year and opens the calls at the start of the next. In 2026: adoption on 17 December 2025, opening on 11 February 2026, deadline 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.
  • Submission is through the Funding & Tenders Portal: EU Login, a PIC for every participant, online Part A and Part B of up to 100 pages.
  • Annexes: ownership control declarations, budget tables and, for development actions, a co-financing declaration.
  • Evaluation of research: six criteria, a maximum of 45 points, threshold 30. Evaluation of development: a maximum of 55 points, threshold 37.
  • Results of the 2026 calls – by March 2027; signature of grant agreements – by 31 December 2027.

04Specifics and pitfalls

  • If a proposal does not address a requirement that the topic marks with the word “must”, it is deemed not to match the topic.
  • Bonuses for SMEs and mid-caps are counted only for participants with a PIC and a positive self-assessment of their status on the portal.
  • The PESCO bonus is withdrawn if the coordinator of the PESCO project has not confirmed the link.
  • Information classified EU CONFIDENTIAL and above requires facility and personnel security clearances (FSC and PSC). The grant will not be signed until at least one beneficiary holds a facility clearance; work at EU TOP SECRET level is not funded.
  • Development is almost never covered at 100%: without a decision on who covers the rest, the proposal cannot be submitted.
  • As of 13 November 2026 the 2027 work programme has not been published, so the topics and dates of the next calls are not yet known. Plan by last year’s schedule, but check it against the portal.

05What to prepare in advance

  • A PIC, validated legal entity status and an SME status self-assessment on the portal.
  • A short company profile in English for partner search: technology, TRL, testing, what you are looking for in a consortium.
  • An ownership chart down to the ultimate beneficial owners and a list of your background with the rights to it.
  • An understanding of whether work with classified information will be needed: clearances take months to obtain.
  • Contact with the EDF National Focal Points in Ukraine (they operate under the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine) and with the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv.
  • The topics of the previous work programme in your field: they show how the Commission frames a need and whom it takes into consortia.
Support

What we do

You are not left alone with the application form: we prepare the document package and support you until the decision.

  1. 1

    Review and eligibility check

    A short call or email exchange: whether you and the project meet the conditions, which programme and amount fit, and what is missing.

  2. 2

    Application in the programme format

    We write the application exactly in the form the programme requires: business plan, technology description, financial plan and budget that are consistent with each other.

  3. 3

    Documents and verification

    We collect annexes: cost estimates, supplier quotes, pitch deck, documents for premises or land. Everything is checked against the requirements before submission.

  4. 4

    Submission and defence

    You sign and submit the application; we stay with you at every step and prepare you for the interview, pitch or jury session.

For this programme

  • We find a place for your technology in the topics of the work programme and match you with a consortium that needs you as a partner.
  • We check eligibility: ownership and control, the origin of your background, the need for access to classified information.
  • We write your part of the proposal in English: the technical description, work packages, the budget by cost category, the declarations.
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What we say plainly

  • No grant is guaranteed. The decision is made by the funder: the state, a fund or a jury. We build a strong and consistent package, but we do not influence the decision.
  • You submit the application yourself. The applicant submits and signs the application in Diia, on the USF portal or the EU portal. We prepare the documents and support you, but do not apply on your behalf.
  • We quote the price after the first conversation. The scope depends on the programme, the amount and what you already have. We state the cost and timing before work begins.
Our services

How GetGrant can help with this programme

Choose the format: a one-hour expert consultation, a turnkey application or preparatory work. Prices are listed where they are fixed; for the rest we quote after a short conversation.

Consultation

Consultation with a GetGrant expert

An online meeting on your project: eligibility, realistic amount, weak points of the application and a preparation plan.

€92 · per hour

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Service

Grant application writing

We prepare the application for the call you chose: from structuring the idea to the budget and a final review before submission.

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Project commercialisation

We move your development into market terms: who buys it, at what price, and which steps come first.

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Project audit

An independent check of a project already running: whether you are on schedule and on budget, and what the donor will see in the report.

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