The European Defence Fund and the EDF 2026 Work Programme
The European Defence Fund (EDF) is a funding instrument of the European Commission that supports research and development of defence technologies in Europe. The fund aims to strengthen European strategic autonomy, improve interoperability of defence systems, and support innovation across Member States. The EDF co-funds collaborative projects between companies, research institutes, and defence organisations from different EU countries. Participation requires cross-border cooperation. Projects must address capability needs identified at European level. The fund supports both research actions and development actions, from early technology to prototype stage.
The EDF 2026 Work Programme defines the priorities, funding topics, and rules for participation for the year 2026. It focuses on advanced defence technologies, digitalisation, cyber security, air and missile defence, and space-related capabilities such as Galileo PRS receivers. Companies interested in applying must follow a structured process. Proposals must be prepared in cooperation with partners from at least three eligible EU member states. Each proposal must address a specific call topic and meet technical, financial, and security requirements. Applicants must submit their proposal to their national Ministry of Defence for pre-selection before the European submission. The deadline to provide proposals to the national Ministry of Defence is 24.06.2026. Only proposals supported at national level can proceed to the EU evaluation. The programme encourages participation of small and medium-sized enterprises, new technology providers, and established defence companies.
How the EDF Works for Companies and How to Prepare an Application
The European Defence Fund is built on cooperation, capability development, and industrial competitiveness. A single company cannot apply alone. Each project must be carried out by a consortium composed of entities from at least three different EU Member States or associated countries. The consortium must cover the full value chain required by the call. Industrial partners, technology companies, research organisations, and defence users must work together. The project must demonstrate clear relevance for European defence capability priorities. Funding rates depend on the type of action, research or development, and on the maturity of the technology.
Companies interested in applying must first identify a relevant call topic in the EDF 2026 Work Programme. The next step is to build or join a consortium. This can be done through existing industrial partnerships, national defence networks, European clusters, or brokerage events organised by defence ministries or the European Commission, such as the EDF Info Days in Brussels on 10-11 March 2026. A strong consortium combines technical excellence, system integration capability, operational relevance, and geographic balance. After forming the consortium, partners define the project concept, technical objectives, work structure, budget, and roles. Security and export control aspects must be considered from the beginning. The proposal must demonstrate innovation, feasibility, European added value, and contribution to defence capability development. National pre-selection is required. The proposal must be submitted to the national Ministry of Defence before 24.06.2026. Approved proposals are then submitted to the EU evaluation, where they are assessed on excellence, impact, and implementation quality.
Focus on Key EDF 2026 Calls Relevant for Space
The EDF 2026 work programme includes several high-value calls that are highly relevant for companies working in space, digital infrastructure, secure communications, missile defence, and advanced sensing. These calls combine defence capability development with strong technological innovation. Understanding their objectives helps companies position their expertise and prepare competitive proposals before the proposal deadline in June 2026 for submission to the national Ministry of Defence.
The call EDF-2026-DA-EXP-DIGIT-MDOC on Military Multi-Domain Operations Cloud Services has an indicative budget of about EUR 40 million. The objective is to develop secure, resilient, and interoperable cloud infrastructure supporting military operations across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains. Space assets play an important role through satellite communications, data relay, and operational connectivity. Companies with expertise in cloud architecture, secure data processing, satellite communications, and mission systems can contribute strongly.
The call EDF-2026-RA-CYBER-QSTN on Quantum Secured Tactical Networks has an indicative budget of about EUR 14 million. The focus is on quantum-resistant and quantum-enabled secure communication for tactical environments. This includes quantum key distribution, resilient encryption, and protected communications that may involve satellite-based links. Companies working in quantum technologies, secure communications, optical links, and satellite communication systems are well positioned for this topic.
The call EDF-2026-DA-SPACE-PRS on Effective Galileo Public Regulated Service for effectors in a Navigation Warfare environment has an indicative budget of about EUR 50 million. The objective is to develop robust GNSS modules using the secure Galileo PRS signal for missiles and guided systems operating in contested environments. The work focuses on resilience against jamming and spoofing, secure positioning, and integration with other sensors. Companies active in GNSS, satellite navigation, secure receivers, and defence electronics can play a key role.
The call EDF-2026-DA-ACC-AIRDEF-EATMI on High-End Endo-Atmospheric Interception has an indicative budget of about EUR 100 million. The goal is to strengthen European missile defence capabilities against advanced aerial threats. The topic involves the development of an interceptor including sensors, tracking, guidance, interception technologies, and system integration. Space-based sensing, early warning, and tracking technologies may support this domain.
The call EDF-2026-RA-EUCI-IBA-DS-AIRDEF-CHGV on Countering Hypersonic Glide Vehicles has an indicative budget of about EUR 68 million. The objective is to develop technologies able to detect, track, and counter hypersonic threats. This requires advanced sensors, tracking systems, high-speed data processing, and predictive modelling. Space surveillance, tracking, and space-based sensing capabilities are relevant contributors. This call is a continuation of a previous call from the work programme 2024 and will therefore not be open for competition.
These calls represent major funding opportunities for companies across the European defence and space ecosystem. They require strong technical positioning, cross-domain expertise, and collaboration across industry, research, and defence stakeholders.
Building a Consortium and Preparing a Competitive EDF Proposal
EDF projects require multinational cooperation. A strong consortium is essential for success. Companies should begin early by identifying partners that complement their technical capabilities and strengthen the overall value chain. Typical partners include system integrators, technology providers, research institutes, universities, SMEs, and defence end users. Participation from at least three EU Member States is required. Balance between large industry and innovative SMEs is often expected.
Companies can find partners through existing industrial networks, previous EU projects, national defence ecosystems, specialised conferences, brokerage events, and defence innovation platforms. Contact with national Ministries of Defence is important because proposals must be submitted nationally before the deadline. Early alignment with national priorities increases the chance of support and endorsement.
A successful consortium defines clear roles, responsibilities, and technical contributions. One organisation acts as coordinator. Work packages must reflect realistic technical objectives, measurable results, and strong European added value. Projects must demonstrate technological innovation, operational relevance, and long-term impact on European defence capabilities. Clear management structure, risk planning, and intellectual property strategy are important.
Companies should carefully analyse the call text, eligibility rules, and expected outcomes. Technical excellence alone is not enough. The proposal must show strategic relevance, collaboration across Europe, contribution to capability development, and credible implementation. Early preparation, strong partnerships, and clear positioning significantly improve the chances of success in EDF 2026.
How Companies Should Prepare Internally for EDF Participation
Preparation inside the company is critical. Management must confirm strategic interest, available resources, and long-term commitment. EDF projects run for several years and require technical, financial, and administrative capacity. A dedicated internal team should be created to coordinate proposal preparation, partner communication, budgeting, and compliance.
Technical teams must analyse how existing products, technologies, and know-how match the selected call. Gaps must be identified early. Partners inside the consortium can cover missing capabilities. Companies should define a clear technical contribution that is credible and measurable. Innovation must be demonstrated. Defence relevance must be clear. European added value must be visible.
Financial preparation is equally important. Companies must understand funding rates, co-financing requirements, eligible costs, and reporting obligations. Administrative teams must prepare legal documents, company data, and compliance information required for defence funding. Internal approval processes should be aligned with the proposal timeline before the national submission deadline.
Early contact with the national Ministry of Defence is essential. Ministries review and pre-select proposals before forwarding them to the European level. Companies should present their concept early, ensure alignment with national priorities, and secure political and strategic support.
From Proposal to Project Execution
A strong proposal combines technical excellence, strategic relevance, and realistic execution planning. The project must present clear objectives, defined deliverables, measurable milestones, and credible impact on European defence capability. Work packages must be structured logically. Roles of each partner must be precise. Risk management and mitigation actions must be realistic. Security aspects must be addressed. Intellectual property rules must be agreed within the consortium. It is important to assess and follow the new provisions regarding IPR introduced in the 2026 work programme.
Evaluation at European level focuses on excellence, impact, and implementation quality. Proposals must clearly explain innovation, operational benefit, European cooperation, and long-term usability. Projects must show how results strengthen European technological sovereignty and defence readiness.
After selection, contract negotiation begins. The consortium must finalise technical scope, budget distribution, governance structure, and reporting procedures. Project execution requires strict coordination, financial discipline, and technical performance. Regular reviews ensure progress toward milestones and capability objectives.
EDF participation often leads to long-term industrial cooperation, follow-on programmes, and new defence market opportunities. Companies that invest early in partnerships, technical positioning, and proposal quality can significantly strengthen their role in the European defence and space ecosystem. The developments should always consider the end user (national military). In the coming years, the connection between research, development, procurement and operation will be streamlined by the European Commission. The first steps are visible in the new EU flagships (e.g. Air Shield, Space Shield etc.) and the defence procurement programme EDIP (European Defence Industry Programme).
Conclusion: Strategic Opportunity for European Space and Defence Companies
The European Defence Fund 2026 offers major opportunities for companies working in space, secure communications, digital infrastructure, missile defence, and advanced sensing. The focused calls on quantum secured networks, secure military cloud, Galileo PRS, advanced missile interception, and hypersonic defence represent strategic capability areas for Europe.
Success requires early preparation, strong multinational partnerships, clear technical positioning, and alignment with national defence priorities before the submission deadline. Companies that understand the EDF framework, build the right consortium, and present credible, innovative proposals can access significant funding and become key contributors to future European defence and space capabilities.
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