Today's geopolitical landscape and the return of high intensity conflict on our continent call for the EU to take up more strategic responsibility for its defence and to power up the EU defence industry.
Whilst we are implementing new instruments and committed to support Ukraine today, we need to also prepare for the security challenges of the future. This is why the Commission supports defence R&D, in particular via the European Defence Fund (EDF).
With a budget of 7.3 billion for 2021-2027, the EDF supports R&D players across the EU Member States and Norway to develop competitive and collaborative defence projects that will deliver the next generation defence technologies and capabilities that our armed forces need to keep Europeans safe
Keeping European defence companies up to date
Since 2022, the EDF Info Days has served as the go-to event for informing potential applicants about the opportunities provided by the European Defence Fund as well as the application process. Organised annually by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS), this year’s edition gathered nearly 3000 participants with around 1.300 onsite.
On day one, DG DEFIS officials presented the EDF 2024 calls for proposals and explained in detail the submission process, incl. through video tutorials, which can be found here.
The second day of the event offered networking opportunities to forge winning defence research and development consortia. Participants had the opportunity to pitch their ideas and expertise and to schedule one-to-one meetings to other R&D players, as well as investors, to extend their network and create strategic partnerships.
During a dedicated session, the EIB Group, consisting of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), presented funding opportunities under its financial products and advisory services for EU security and defence projects.
Rendez-vous at EDF Info Days 2025
''The EU is about helping people achieving results bigger than just the sum of their contributions. And also about connecting them. This is exactly what the EDF Info Days offer: getting tips how best to work together under the EDF, and also a great place to network and fine new partners,'' highlighted François Arbault, Director for Defence at DG DEFIS.
We look forward to seeing you next year!
*The presentation of Day 1 can be found here and the recording will soon become available on our website.
Details
- Publication date
- 30 May 2024
- Department
- Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space