European Defence Fund: Enhancing Opportunities for All (EOA) Project

Welcome to our platform, an initiative developed as part of the Enhancing Opportunities for All (EOA) project under the European Defence Fund (EDF). This website aims to support and strengthen the outreach and collaboration efforts of the National Focal Points (NFPs) network across EU Member States and Norway.

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What is the European Defence Fund

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is a significant initiative by the European Union aimed at fostering and supporting collaborative research and development projects in the defence sector among EU Member States. Established to enhance the EU's strategic autonomy and strengthen its defence capabilities, the EDF focuses on financing projects that can improve the competitiveness and innovation of the European defence industry. For the period of 2021-2027 the EU has allocated almost 8 billion euros to the EDF.

Key Objectives of the EDF:

  • 01 Promote Collaboration

    The EDF encourages Member States to collaborate on defence projects, reducing fragmentation and fostering a more integrated defence market.

  • 02 Boost Innovation

    By (co)funding cutting-edge research and development projects, the EDF aims to stimulate technological advancements in defence.

  • 03 Enhance Competitiveness

    Supporting a competitive and innovative industrial base in the EU, the EDF seeks to maintain the Union's technological edge.

  • 04 Support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

    The EDF includes measures to ensure that SMEs can participate and benefit from defence projects, enhancing their role in the defence supply chain.

The EDF (co)finances various types of activities, including feasibility studies, prototyping, and testing, focusing on projects that address identified capability gaps and priorities in the EU's defence landscape.

Annual Work Programmes

Each year, the European Commission publishes annual Work Programmes that outline the specific funding priorities, eligibility criteria, and application procedures for that year. These Work Programmes are essential for informing potential applicants about the focus areas and available opportunities within the EDF.

To access the most recent annual Work Programmes and other relevant information, you can visit the official European Commission page for the European Defence Fund:

European Defence Fund Overview
Annual Work Programmes

European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP)

The European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) are key initiatives by the European Union aimed at fostering innovation, collaboration, and technological advancements in the defence sector. EDIP is a Regulation proposed by the Commission to start implementing concrete measures identified in the EDIS. These initiatives are designed to enhance the EU's defence capabilities, promote strategic autonomy, and ensure a competitive and innovative defence industry.

European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS)

The European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) are key initiatives by the European Union aimed at fostering innovation, collaboration, and technological advancements in the defence sector. These initiatives are designed to enhance the EU's defence capabilities, promote strategic autonomy, and ensure a competitive and innovative defence industry.

Key Objectives of EDIS:

Stimulate Innovation:

EDIS aims to foster a culture of innovation by funding cutting-edge research and development projects that address critical defence challenges.

Enhance Technological Edge:

By supporting the development of advanced technologies, EDIS seeks to maintain and enhance the EU's technological superiority in defence.

Support SMEs and Startups:

EDIS includes specific measures to encourage the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, recognizing their role as key drivers of innovation.

Promote Dual-Use Technologies:

EDIS focuses on technologies that have both military and civilian applications, maximizing the broader impact of defence innovations.

European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP)

The EDIP is a Regulation proposed by the Commission designed to foster collaboration and partnerships among EU Member States, defence industries, research organizations, and other stakeholders. It aims to create a cohesive and integrated innovation ecosystem in the European defence sector.

Roles and Responsibilities of EDIP:

Facilitate Collaboration:

EDIP promotes joint research and development projects, bringing together diverse stakeholders to address common defence challenges.

Build Networks:

By creating networks of innovation actors, EDIP helps to share knowledge, best practices, and resources, enhancing the overall innovation capacity of the EU.

Support Technology Transfer:

EDIP encourages the transfer of technologies from research to practical applications, ensuring that innovative solutions are rapidly adopted and integrated into defence capabilities.

Promote Investment:

EDIP works to attract investments in defence innovation, both from public and private sources, to ensure sustained funding for groundbreaking projects.

By working together, EDIS and EDIP aim to create a dynamic and resilient innovation environment in the European defence sector. These initiatives are crucial for maintaining the EU's strategic autonomy, enhancing its defence capabilities, and ensuring a competitive and forward-looking defence industry.

Upcoming events

EDF Online Matchmaking Day #5

The 5th EDF Online Matchmaking Day, organised under the Enhancing Opportunities for All (EOA) consortium, on 13 January 2026, offers defence and security industry players the opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore collaboration opportunities under the upcoming European Defence Fund (EDF) 2026 calls. The programme of the day includes two key parts: Morning Session – Webinar (11:00 CET) A dedicated online information session titled “Delving into EDF 2025 figures and the new 2026 Work Programme” will present key insights from the 2025 call statistics (e.g. most attractive calls, most successful countries) and introduce the upcoming 2026 Work Programme and other related EU funding opportunities. To participate in the webinar, select the appropriate option when registering. Access the webinar platform here Afternoon Session – Matchmaking (13:00–18:00 CET) Participants will be able to schedule and conduct 1:1 virtual meetings via a dedicated matchmaking platform to find suitable partners, explore complementary expertise, and initiate joint project ideas. This event is open to all organisations eligible for EDF funding, including companies, SMEs, research centres, universities, and public stakeholders. Key Information Date: 13 January 2026 Time: 11:00 CET – Webinar, 13:00-18:00 CET – Matchmaking meetings Format: Online Registration Deadline: 13 January 2026, 00:00 CET Register here: EDF Matchmaking January 2026 Register now!
  • 13 jan 2026 - 13 jan 2026
  • France, Online
  • Registration
  • Online
NFP
EDF
ENDR
EOA

EDF Info Day AT 2026

The Austrian National Focal Points for the EDF are pleased to invite representatives of EDF National Focal Points and the wider defence innovation community to the EDF Info Day AT 2026, taking place on 14 January 2026 in Vienna. Held at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, the event offers a full-day programme including: Overview of the EDF Programme Insights into Austria's EDF priorities and participation requirements Practical presentations from stakeholders Matchmaking sessions with national and international organisations This info day presents a valuable opportunity to network with key players in Austria's defence innovation ecosystem and establish international contacts for EDF project collaboration. Participants will also have the opportunity to create a profile on the matchmaking platform and book 1:1 meetings with other attendees. In addition, organisations can apply to pitch their capabilities during the event’s presentation sessions. Please indicate your interest in pitching when registering. Find more information here: EDF Info Day AT 2026 Register and create your profile here: EDF Info Day AT 2026 – Registration The event will be conducted in English. Key Information Date: 14 January 2026 Venue: Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Vienna Registration deadline: 7 January 2026 Register and create your profile here: EDF Info Day AT 2026 – Registration More event details: EDF Info Day AT 2026 Main Page For further inquiries, please contact the Austrian NFP team directly.
  • 14 jan 2026 - 14 jan 2026
  • Austria, Vienna
  • Registration
  • On-site
NFP
EDF
EOA

Dutch EDF Infoday 2026

On 15 January 2026, the EDF Europadag 2026 will take place on-site in the Netherlands. This national info day is aimed at companies, universities, and research organisations interested in the European Defence Fund (EDF) and exploring opportunities for European collaboration in defence research and innovation. The event will focus on sharing information about the EDF 2026 Work Programme, the priorities of the Dutch Ministry of Defence, and facilitating matchmaking between participating stakeholders. Please note: The event will be conducted in Dutch. Key Information Date: 15 January 2026 Location: Netherlands Register via the official event site: EDF Europadag 2026.
  • 15 jan 2026 - 15 jan 2026
  • Netherlands, Netherlands
  • Registration
  • On-site
NFP
EDF
DEFIS

Belgian EDF Infoday 2026

The FPS Economy, in collaboration with the Belgian Ministry of Defence and the three regional authorities, is organising a national information day on the European Defence Fund (EDF). The event aims to raise awareness among Belgian stakeholders about the opportunities offered by the EDF, in the context of the upcoming EDF 2026 work programme. The session will provide practical insights into the application process, funding possibilities, and strategic priorities relevant to defence research and innovation. The infoday will be held in a hybrid format—on-site in Brussels, with online participation also available. Key Information Date: 10 February 2026 Location: Brussels / Online For more information or specific enquiries, please contact: nfp-edf@economie.fgov.be
  • 10 feb 2026 - 10 feb 2026
  • Belgium, Brussels
  • Registration
  • Hybrid
NFP
EDF
DEFIS

NFP Network (National Focal Points)

The NFP Network is an essential component of the EDF, comprising designated contact points in each EU Member State. These National Focal Points serve as the primary interface between the EDF and national stakeholders, including industry, research organizations, and government bodies.

Roles and Responsibilities of NFPs:

  • Information Dissemination

    NFPs provide up-to-date information about the EDF, including funding opportunities, application processes, and project requirements.

  • Support and Guidance

    They assist potential applicants in preparing proposals, navigating the application process, and ensuring compliance with EDF guidelines.

  • Networking and Partnering

    NFPs facilitate networking and collaboration among national and international stakeholders, helping to build consortia for joint projects.

  • Feedback and Reporting

    They collect feedback from national stakeholders on the implementation of the EDF and report to the European Commission, contributing to the continuous improvement of the fund.

By bridging the gap between the European Commission and national stakeholders, the NFP Network plays a crucial role in maximizing the impact and accessibility of the European Defence Fund.

NFP Contacts

EOA Project

The EOA project, backed by the EDF, involves 20 entities from 16 Member States and Norway, all of which are integral to or associated with the NFP network. These NFPs are tasked with assisting national stakeholders in applying for and managing EDF-funded projects.

More about EOA Project
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