The 10 calls under the European Defence Fund in 2026

Its budget of around €1 billion is distributed across 31 topics

February 20, 2026
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At a glance: the essentials of this article

The European Commission has put into operation the 2026 work programme of the European Defence Fund with €1 billion allocated across 10 calls covering 31 funding topics. The support ranges from research to capability development and disruptive technologies, with strict requirements on transnational cooperation and security. Zabala Innovation supports its clients in this edition of the programme, where it maintains a 58% success rate.

European budget. The European Commission mobilises €1 billion through 10 calls open until September.

Strategic technologies. The programme funds sensors, quantum cybersecurity, space, materials and air defence.

Support for SMEs. The European Defence Fund sets aside dedicated strands for small businesses and innovative projects.

Mandatory cooperation. Projects must bring together at least three entities from three different countries.

Security requirements. Participants must protect sensitive information and ensure that intellectual property remains under European control.

The European Commission has activated the 2026 work programme of the European Defence Fund (EDF) with 10 calls worth €1 billion and a deadline for proposal submission that generally runs until 29th September. The package includes 31 topics for collaborative research and technological development projects in defence.

Having consolidated a strong position in the fields of security, space and defence — in line with the growing strategic importance of these sectors within the EU — Zabala Innovation is also supporting its clients in this edition of the programme, where it holds a 58% success rate. The consultancy has been involved both in proposal drafting and in project implementation, providing support in coordination, management, dissemination and exploitation of results.

Opportunities under EDF 2026

The 2026 work programme of the European Defence Fund distributes funding between research and capability development, while also including support and coordination measures. The calls are structured around research actions, development actions and a non-thematic strand dedicated to disruptive technologies, alongside specific initiatives addressing areas such as hypersonic threats and medical countermeasures.

Alliance for defence medical countermeasures. This call funds projects aimed at strengthening European capabilities in medical countermeasures. It includes decontamination technologies against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, as well as actions supporting cooperation in this field.

Advanced passive and active sensors. This initiative targets the development of next-generation detection systems, both passive and active, covering applications across land, maritime, air and space domains.

Cybersecurity – Secure tactical networks based on quantum technologies. This call funds projects designed to enhance communications security through tactical networks supported by quantum technologies.

Space – Integration of the Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS). Focused on integrating the Galileo PRS into platforms and operational centres, this initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s technological autonomy in satellite navigation.

Digital transformation. This call includes developments related to cloud services for multi-domain operations, AI-supported situational awareness and collaborative systems based on unmanned platforms.

Energy resilience and environmental transition. It supports high-efficiency energy systems, new propulsion solutions and technologies linked to environmental transition within defence.

Materials and components. This strand promotes the development of advanced materials and critical components, such as smart textiles and multifunctional solutions adapted to complex operational environments.

Air and missile defence and related capabilities. It addresses technologies linked to protection against aerial threats, including high-performance interception systems and associated capabilities.

Disruptive technologies for defence. A non-thematic call dedicated to innovations with transformative potential in defence, open to solutions that do not fall within traditional domains.

Non-thematic SME and innovation actions under EUDIS. Targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises and innovative actors within the EU Defence Innovation Scheme, this strand includes acceleration instruments and support for emerging technology companies seeking to enter this field.

Funding and requirements

Funding intensity varies depending on the type of project. Research actions may receive up to 100% of eligible costs, while development actions are funded between 20% and 80%, with possible increases where there is significant SME participation or structured cooperation between Member States.

Generally, calls require consortia made up of at least three independent entities established in three different Member States or EDF-associated countries, such as Norway. Entities must be established within the Union and not controlled by non-eligible third countries, except under strict conditions.

Given its strategic nature, the European Defence Fund also sets specific participation conditions. Applicants must comply with stringent information security requirements, ensuring the protection of sensitive data and the proper handling of classified information where applicable. They must safeguard the essential security interests of the EU and its Member States, ensure that intellectual property generated remains under European control, and comply with export control regulations. In addition, project results may not be subject to restrictions imposed by non-eligible third countries.