The European Defence Fund (EDF) also invites SMEs
The European Defence Fund (EDF) has published its work programme for 2024. The funding programme also contains plenty of opportunities for the defence industry in Kanta-Häme and its subcontractors. The 2024 work programme includes 6 thematic calls for proposals and 2 calls for proposals aimed specifically at SMEs. The topics of the calls for proposals included in the work programme cover key defence areas, such as the development of unmanned ground and aerial vehicles and secure communication tools for use in space.
Key elements and requirements of EDF funding in 2024
- Financial support: The programme offers financial support of up to 100% of eligible costs. The support is granted mainly as grants and bonuses, which are taken into account for SMEs and mid-cap companies.
- Innovation support: The EDF programme offers a wide range of support measures to promote defence innovation. This includes technological challenges, business coaching and funding, as well as support for contacts between companies and investors.
- Critical areas: The EDF programme supports projects targeting critical defence areas, such as countering hypersonic missiles, developing unmanned aerial vehicles and advancing secure space communications.
- Next-generation defence systems: The EDF programme prepares the ground for next-generation defence systems, such as helicopters and medium-sized cargo aircraft.
- Consortium requirements: Applying for funding requires forming a consortium of at least three member states or associated countries. An exception is applications concerning disruptive technologies, for which smaller consortia are allowed.
- Eligibility conditions: Funding recipients and subcontractors must be located in the EU and be subject to EU governance structures. Third-country control is also taken into account in order to safeguard the EU’s security and defence interests.
- Innovation methods: The EUDIS programme offers special support to small actors and innovators throughout their development cycle, from product maturation all the way to market entry.
Further information and assistance are also available from national focal points, which help in understanding the opportunities and requirements offered by the EDF (Source: the EU Defence Industry Programme (EDF))
A two-day info session organised by the EDF on the work programme and funding opportunities will be held on 28–29 May. The event can be attended both remotely and on site in Brussels.
More detailed programme and link: https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/european-defence-fund-info-days-2024-2024-05-28_en
Teemu Seppälä
Technology and Innovation Director
City of Riihimäki