Open & upcoming calls

High-performance energy systems

Smart and multifunctional textiles

Integration of Galileo PRS receivers on weapon systems and NAVWAR operational centres in military C2

Ammunition Waste Collection and Disposal Unmanned Platform

Self-protection systems

Common procurement for ammunition, missiles and explosive weapons.

Military multi-domain operations cloud services

Enhanced cognitive EW system with intelligent RESM CESM signal analysis

Open call for startups, scale-ups and SMEs at TRL 4 or higher to participate in DefTech Forges — intensive operational testing events where participants test, adapt and refine defence technologies in real-world environments alongside military operators. The first Forges take place in France (1–5 June 2026, focus: situational awareness in contested urban environments) and Estonia (3–7 June 2026, focus: offensive and resilient unmanned air systems in EW conditions).

Fund Accelerating Supply Chain Transformation (FAST) will allocate EUR 100 million to Defence Equity Facility 2.0, a pan-European fund-of-funds implemented by EIF providing equity support to defence SMEs and small midcaps to scale manufacturing capacity. Fund managers may apply through a dedicated call for Expression of Interest to be published in Q2/Q3 2026.

Open, permanent call inviting universities, research institutions, business schools, startups, SMEs, and national authorities to join the EU Space Networks as Ambassadors (Copernicus, Galileo/EGNOS, SSA/STM, IRIS², EU Space) to promote EU space data and services and bridge skills and data-usage gaps across sectors.

FAST will allocate EUR 100 million to the Defence Equity Facility 2.0, a pan-European fund-of-funds implemented by the European Investment Fund (EIF), providing equity support to SMEs, start-ups, and small mid-caps to increase defence manufacturing capacities. Fund managers may apply through a dedicated call for Expression of Interest to be published in Q2/Q3 2026.

Second call for grants supporting common procurement of defence equipment including counter-drone, air and missile defence, and ground and naval combat systems, open to consortia of national contracting authorities from EU Member States and Norway. Maximum EU contribution EUR 20 million per project.

Grants supporting common procurement of defence equipment such as counter-drone, air and missile defence, and ground and naval combat systems by consortia of contracting authorities from EU Member States and Norway. Total programme budget EUR 240 million; maximum EU contribution EUR 20 million per project.

Common procurement action for counter-drone systems.

EDA-managed testing and evaluation campaign for BraveTechEU winners. The PDF references EUR 500k follow-on support.

Initial BraveTechEU defence innovation call cycle for Ukrainian and EU startups and SMEs. The PDF references grants up to EUR 200,000 and focus areas such as drones, EW, missiles, AI/ML, navigation and software.

Advancing core robotics skills for manufacturing through technical challenges (AI, Data and Robotics Partnership). Targets adaptive manipulation, human-robot collaboration, and zero-defect production.

Challenge-driven generative AI booster for EU priority sectors (manufacturing, health, energy, public services). Supports adaptation and deployment of large-scale generative models in industrial contexts.

Pilot of the "Science for AI" pillar of RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe). Funds frontier AI research with emphasis on explainability, robustness, and scientific discovery applications.