The European Commission has established the European Defence Fund (EDF) to support research and development in the defence sector.
With a budget of almost €8 billion for the 2021-2027 period, the fund aims to promote cooperation between companies and to develop innovative and interoperable defence technologies and equipment.

Financial support is primarily provided through grants covering up to 100% of eligible costs, depending on the activities involved, and a bonus system that takes into account SMEs, mid-caps and links to a PESCO project.

The identified priorities aim to contribute to the Union's security and defence interests, in line with the defence capability priorities agreed upon by Member States under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and, in particular, within the context of the Capability Development Plan (CDP), while taking into account, where appropriate, regional priorities and the priorities of international organisations (NATO). The EDF annual work programmes are defined in close collaboration with Member State representatives within the EDF Programme Committee, including the participation of the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European External Action Service (EEAS).

The categories of actions that structure the annual work programmes have been designed to cover all military domains and key enabling technologies.

EDF 2024

The 2024 EDF Work Programme addresses 32 topics, divided into 6 main themes, 2 non-thematic areas, and 2 actions for Defence Medical Countermeasures. The programme will support crucial defence projects, such as countering hypersonic missiles and the development of unmanned vehicles, both aerial and ground-based, as well as communications security in space. It is also geared towards preparing new advanced defence systems, such as medium-sized helicopters and transport aircraft.

The initiative provides extensive support for innovation and inclusivity through the European Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), which will make a total of €225 million in funding available. This includes technology challenges in the space and sensor sectors, funding opportunities for start-ups and SMEs in the field of simulation and training, as well as open, non-thematic calls for SMEs.

EUDIS will continue to fund annual defence hackathons, providing business coaching to beneficiary SMEs and supporting the Defence Equity Facility under InvestEU. A new feature for 2024 will be the introduction of an EUDIS Business Accelerator and an investor matchmaking programme, aimed at further boosting innovation in the European defence sector.

For further information, please write to een1@confindustria.lombardia.it or visit the official page.