European Commission · DG DEFIS · under the EDF

Application support from GetGrant

EUDIS: EU defence innovation

EUDIS is the shortest way into the European defence ecosystem for a small company: no consortium, no equity taken, and Ukrainian applicants admitted in most instruments. The accelerator’s main filter is money already raised, or revenue.

Book a consultation Order application writing

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 EU Defence Innovation Scheme is the European Defence Fund’s set of instruments for start-ups and small companies: an accelerator, cascade grants, calls for SMEs, matchmaking with investors and customers, and hackathons.

Who funds it

The scheme is run by the European Commission (DG DEFIS) with money from the European Defence Fund. Individual instruments are implemented by consortia: the Business Accelerator by Starburst, Civitta, IGNITY and VTT; cascade grants are awarded by the Fund’s projects to their “third parties”.

Who it suits

  • Defence and dual-use start-ups and SMEs with a product and first money: investment or revenue
  • Teams that need access to European customers, investors and consortium partners
  • Not for companies controlled by entities from outside the EU, Norway and Ukraine, or for very early teams with no funding
Official pages: EUDIS: official website of the scheme EUDIS Business Accelerator: programme website EUDIS Business Accelerator: FAQ Guidelines for applicants, cohort 4 (PDF) EUDIS: Business Accelerator on the Commission website EUDIS: cascade funding EUDIS: matchmaking EUDIS: calls for SMEs EUDIS: Defence Equity Facility BattleVerse: open calls
In depth

The programme in detail

The EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) is not a single call but a set of instruments through which the European Defence Fund supports start-ups and small and medium-sized companies. The scheme was introduced with the Fund’s 2022 work programme and is run by the European Commission’s DG DEFIS. Its total volume is about EUR 2 billion to 2027: EUR 1.46 billion from the Fund’s budget and a further EUR 400–500 million that the scheme is meant to leverage from other investors. In 2026 EUDIS accounted for EUR 231 million, or 23% of the Fund’s budget.

The most visible instrument is the EUDIS Business Accelerator. A cohort takes 20 companies for 8 months: training, mentoring, and introductions to military customers and investors. Each company receives a EUR 120,000 voucher, paid in two instalments, 20% and 80%, depending on progress against a scorecard. The organisers state explicitly that they ask for no equity in the company and no intellectual property rights. The call for the fourth cohort runs until 20 November 2026; the next is planned for April–June 2027.

Other instruments work alongside it. Cascade grants: large Fund projects launch their own open calls and give up to EUR 60,000 for a six-month project; BattleVerse was the first, and calls from the D-STORM, EURODAMM, LUMINA, SKYRAPTOR, TALON and ACHILE2 projects are expected next – there are no dates yet. Matchmaking brings developers together with investors and large contractors. Hackathons twice a year give teams access to mentors and military scenarios. EUDIS also includes DefTech Forges under BraveTech EU, and the Fund’s calls for SMEs and disruptive technologies.

For a Ukrainian company EUDIS is the most accessible European defence instrument: most of its parts explicitly name Ukraine among the eligible countries and do not require a consortium. There are two limits. The first is control: a company run by an entity from outside the EU, Norway and Ukraine will not be admitted without guarantees under the Fund’s regulation. The second is maturity: the accelerator screens out teams that have not yet raised EUR 200,000 and have no revenue of that size. Those still at the idea stage are better off starting with Brave1 grants and coming back to EUDIS with a product.

Application status: Accepting applications

The call for the fourth cohort of the EUDIS Business Accelerator is open until 20 November 2026, 23:59 Brussels time – that is what the programme website and the application form say; the PDF guidelines still show 16 November. Pitches are on 14–16 December 2026 and the programme starts in March 2027. The BattleVerse cascade call accepts applications until 16 November 2026. The next accelerator call, cohort 5, is planned for April–June 2027.

Programme terms

Key facts about “EUDIS: EU defence innovation”

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

What it is

An umbrella of innovation instruments of the European Defence Fund, introduced with the 2022 work programme. The budget is about EUR 2 billion to 2027: EUR 1.46 billion from the Fund plus EUR 400–500 million leveraged. In 2026 it is EUR 231 million, 23% of the Fund’s budget.

Business Accelerator

20 companies, 8 months from March 2027. A EUR 120,000 voucher in two instalments, 20% and 80%, against a progress scorecard; the full amount comes after the programme is completed. According to the EUDIS website, the top three get a further EUR 50,000 each. No equity and no intellectual property rights are taken.

Cascade grants

The Fund’s projects pass part of their money on to start-ups and SMEs: up to EUR 60,000 per participant, projects of up to 6 months. Companies from the EU, countries associated to the Fund and Ukraine are eligible. BattleVerse is open now – until 16 November 2026.

Matchmaking and hackathons

Matchmaking with investors and customers is open to participants from the EU, Norway and Ukraine. Hackathons take place twice a year: in 2026 on 26–28 March and 15–17 October; the spring 2027 hackathon has not yet been announced.

The Fund’s calls for SMEs

Non-thematic calls for SMEs: research – up to EUR 5 million, development – up to EUR 6 million, lump sum, a consortium of three participants from three countries. Disruptive technologies – from two participants, 100% of costs. The 2026 calls closed on 29 September 2026.

Ukraine

According to the programme website, the FAQ and the application form, Ukrainian companies are eligible for the accelerator. Cascade grants, matchmaking and DefTech Forges name Ukraine explicitly. The Defence Equity Facility invests through funds in SMEs from the EU and Norway; Ukraine is not mentioned there.

Sources: EUDIS: official website of the scheme, EUDIS Business Accelerator: programme website, EUDIS Business Accelerator: FAQ, Guidelines for applicants, cohort 4 (PDF), EUDIS: Business Accelerator on the Commission website, EUDIS: cascade funding, EUDIS: matchmaking, EUDIS: calls for SMEs, EUDIS: Defence Equity Facility, BattleVerse: open calls.

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

Expert consultation

Discuss “EUDIS: EU defence innovation” 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 choose the instrument for your stage: the accelerator, a cascade grant, DefTech Forges or one of the Fund’s calls for SMEs in a consortium.
  • We check the accelerator’s four entry conditions and prepare the application in English with the ownership control declaration.
  • We prepare you for the pitch: 7 minutes of presentation and 5 minutes of questions before the selection committee.
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

  • Business Accelerator, four “yes or no” conditions: place of registration and control; fit with the technology themes of the call; at least EUR 200,000 in funding raised or annual revenue above EUR 200,000; an established team and a company age of up to 20 years.
  • A signed ownership control declaration is mandatory. Control by an entity from outside the EU, Norway and Ukraine means rejection unless there are guarantees under Article 9(4) of the Fund’s regulation.
  • Eligibility of Ukrainian companies for the accelerator: the programme website, the FAQ, the terms of participation and the application form say “yes”; the PDF guidelines for cohort 4 mention only the EU and Norway. We advise getting written confirmation from the organisers before applying.
  • Cascade grants: a company established in the EU, a country associated to the Fund or Ukraine.
  • Matchmaking: participants from EU Member States, Norway and Ukraine.
  • Business coaching (up to 15 days over 6 months, free of charge) is available only to SMEs that are already beneficiaries of the Fund’s projects.

02What is funded and on what terms

  • Business Accelerator: a EUR 120,000 voucher in two instalments, 20% and 80%, unlocked by a progress scorecard; only those who complete the programme receive the full amount. According to the EUDIS website, the top three companies in the cohort receive a further EUR 50,000 each.
  • Cascade grants: up to EUR 60,000 per participant, projects of up to 6 months; the terms of each call are set by the Fund project that launches it.
  • DefTech Forges: a EUR 120,000 prize for the team that wins a challenge, followed by testing with the European Defence Agency; TRL 4 and above.
  • The Fund’s non-thematic calls for SMEs: research – up to EUR 5 million, development – up to EUR 6 million, lump sum. Calls for disruptive technologies – 100% of costs.
  • Defence Equity Facility: EUR 175 million for 2024–2027 through the European Investment Fund, to mobilise about EUR 500 million. The money goes to venture capital funds that invest in SMEs from the EU and Norway; Ukraine is not mentioned among the eligible countries.
  • The new AGILE instrument: EUR 115 million for 20–30 projects with funding of up to 100%, launching in early 2027. We have not yet verified whether Ukrainian companies are eligible.

03Selection stages and timing

  • Business Accelerator, cohort 4: applications through an online form until 20 November 2026, 23:59 Brussels time.
  • Evaluation: defence relevance – 25%, innovation – 25%, fit between solution and problem – 20%, business maturity – 20%, team – 10%.
  • The top 40 are invited to pitch: 7 minutes of presentation and 5 minutes of questions, on 14–16 December 2026. 20 are taken into the cohort; onboarding is announced on 8 January, and the programme starts in March 2027.
  • Cohort 5: call in April–June 2027, start in September 2027.
  • BattleVerse, the first open cascade call: applications until 16 November 2026, 17:00 Brussels time.
  • DefTech Forges: cycle 3 – March 2027; according to the programme schedule, recruitment of participants starts on 23 November 2026.

04Specifics and pitfalls

  • The sources disagree on the deadline: the accelerator website and the form say 20 November, the PDF guidelines say 16 November. Apply by the 16th, or check the date in the form on the day you submit.
  • The accelerator’s financial condition screens out early teams: without EUR 200,000 in funds raised or in revenue, the application will not be considered on its merits.
  • The voucher is not an advance: 80% of the amount depends on progress, and the full amount on completing the programme.
  • Cascade grants are small and short: up to EUR 60,000 and six months. This is money for testing a solution inside someone else’s project, not for your own development.
  • The Fund’s calls for SMEs require a consortium from three countries, so “for SMEs” does not mean “without partners”.
  • A Ukrainian legal entity should not count on investment through the Defence Equity Facility: the rules name only the EU and Norway.

05What to prepare in advance

  • A pitch deck in English: the defence problem, the solution, TRL with evidence, the market and the team.
  • Proof of the financial condition: investment agreements, or financial statements showing revenue above EUR 200,000.
  • An ownership chart down to the ultimate beneficial owners and a signed ownership control declaration.
  • A plan for the 8 months: exactly what you want to achieve in the accelerator, because 80% of the voucher depends on it.
  • A matchmaking profile: who you are looking for – an investor, a customer or a partner for a Fund consortium.
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 choose the instrument for your stage: the accelerator, a cascade grant, DefTech Forges or one of the Fund’s calls for SMEs in a consortium.
  • We check the accelerator’s four entry conditions and prepare the application in English with the ownership control declaration.
  • We prepare you for the pitch: 7 minutes of presentation and 5 minutes of questions before the selection committee.
Book a consultation Order application writing

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

Book a consultation
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.

Price after a short conversation

Order
Service

Project commercialisation

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

Price after a short conversation

Order
Service

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.

Price after a short conversation

Order
Other programmes

Other programmes we work with

“Own Business 2.0” up to UAH 500,000 to start · up to UAH 2.5 million to scale up Between application rounds Grant for Veterans and Their Family Members +20% for veteran businesses in “Own Business 2.0” Apply via “Own Business 2.0” Grant for a Processing Enterprise up to UAH 8 million · up to UAH 16 million for restoration Between application rounds Grant for a Greenhouse Business up to UAH 7 million · up to 50% of the project Applications suspended Grant for an Orchard, Berry Plantation or Vineyard up to UAH 10 million · up to UAH 400,000 per hectare Applications suspended Grant for Building a Vegetable or Fruit Storage Facility up to UAH 20 million · up to 30% of the construction cost Terms confirmed before submission Grant for a Kindergarten or Child Development Centre up to UAH 500,000 to start · up to UAH 2.5 million to scale up Apply via “Own Business 2.0” EIC: Accelerator, Pathfinder, Transition grant up to €2.5 million + investment of €1–10 million Open on a rolling basis Ukrainian Startup Fund grants up to €40,000 · thematic calls up to UAH 8 million Competitive rounds Brave1 Grants UAH 0.5 / 2 / 4 / 8 million · TTR contests up to UAH 100 million Open on a rolling basis DefTech Forges Challenges €120,000 per winner · followed by testing with the EDA Competitive rounds EDIP and the Ukraine Support Instrument up to EUR 10 million per project · 100% of costs Accepting applications European Defence Fund (EDF) research – 100% of costs · topics EUR 10–20 million Between application rounds NATO DIANA EUR 100,000 · Mission Track up to EUR 300,000 No direct entry from Ukraine SAFE: defence procurement by EU states up to EUR 150 billion in loans to EU states Procurement, not a grant

All programmes →

Applying to “EUDIS: EU defence innovation”?

Tell us about the project and what you want to fund. An expert will reply within one working day with the scope, cost and timing.

Book a consultation Order application writing