Objectives

This call funds EDF Lump Sum Grants for Development Actions dedicated to SMEs through one non-thematic topic. It encourages the driving role of innovative SMEs to turn technology and research results into defence products in a fast and cost-efficient way, possibly by adapting technologies from civil applications or addressing hybrid warfare. Proposals must address innovative defence products, solutions and technologies, including those that can improve readiness, deployability, reliability, safety and sustainability of forces in defence tasks and missions, for example in terms of operations, equipment, infrastructure, energy solutions, surveillance systems or digital solutions. Actions must address disruptive knowledge, products and technologies in any area of defence interest from TRL 4 and above and welcome add-on development actions to adapt solutions originally developed for civil applications and previously not applied in the defence sector. Projects must address at least one activity among design, system prototyping, testing, qualification, certification and increasing efficiency; proposals must describe a clear work breakdown structure, link tasks to eligible activities and include criteria to assess work package completion. Proposals should address one clearly identified product, solution, material or technology of interest for defence and, depending on the activity, be supported by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries that intend to procure the final product or use the technology in a coordinated manner, and be based on common technical specifications or harmonised defence capability requirements.

The topic is open to technology development for defence within STEP target investment areas and contributes to STEP objectives. Expected outcomes should contribute to developing innovative and cost-effective solutions for defence applications, drawing up ground-breaking or novel concepts and approaches, improving innovation capacity across Europe by involvement of SMEs, creating potential future market opportunities for SMEs by facilitating access to defence markets and supply chains, developing European research and technology ecosystems and strengthening EU Member States’ and EDF associated countries’ defence supply chains, and reducing or preventing the strategic dependencies of the Union.

Actions

This call covers the following topics:

EDF-2026-LS-DA-SME-NT: Non-thematic development actions by SMEs