March is the time when spring knocks on the door, bringing a sense of renewed energy. Just as nature enters a period of transformation, we are also opening a new chapter in our newsletter.
At Tiko Pro, we are constantly looking for ways to bring you the latest information on EU opportunities in a clearer, more useful and more personalised way. Therefore, starting in March, our monthly newsletter will feature interviews with experts from our team who monitor EU calls for proposals, European policies and key development trends on a daily basis, translating them into concrete opportunities for organisations.
From now on, in each issue, you will learn more about current EU calls for proposals, cascade funding opportunities, news from the world of European projects, and initiatives in which Tiko Pro participates as a communication and dissemination partner. Our goal is to present information in a professional yet accessible manner, with a clear focus on opportunities for your organisation.
We invite you to read the first issue in its new format. We believe this approach will bring you closer to our team's knowledge and experience and help you identify the right EU opportunities.
Opportunities of the European Defence Fund
In this issue, we spoke with Karmen Vidonja Ozvatič, Head of the EU Programmes Department at Tiko Pro, about the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the opportunities this instrument offers to organisations with advanced technological solutions and research and development capabilities.
The European Defence Fund is designed to promote cooperation between companies, research organisations and Member States in the development of innovative defence technologies and capabilities. It supports projects in areas such as advanced materials, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, unmanned systems, space technologies and other strategic solutions that contribute to the technological sovereignty of the European Union.
In the current social and geopolitical context, issues of security, resilience and strategic autonomy are becoming increasingly important. The European Union is therefore stepping up investment in the joint development of key technologies and promoting cross-border cooperation, reducing dependence on external suppliers and increasing preparedness for various security challenges.
In this interview, Karmen explains who the fund is intended for, the conditions for participation, and how organisations can prepare in a timely and strategic manner to submit a successful application.
What is the European Defence Fund and what is its main purpose?
The European Defence Fund is the European Union's central financial instrument for supporting defence research and development. Its main purpose is to strengthen cooperation among companies, research organisations, and Member States, and to increase the competitiveness and innovative capacity of the European defence industry. The fund promotes the joint development of defence capabilities, reduces duplication of national investments, and strengthens the European defence technological and industrial base. In practice, this means that the EU does not only finance individual projects, but also strategically promotes cross-border cooperation and common development priorities.
What is the financial scope of the fund in the current programming period?
Approximately €8 billion is earmarked for the European Defence Fund for the period 2021-2027, of which € 4 billion is for research and € 4 billion for capability development. This represents an important step towards the systematic financing of defence innovation at the EU level. This positions the Union as a key player in strategic technology and sends a clear signal that it aims to build its own long-term capabilities and reduce its dependence on third countries.
Who can apply for EDF calls for proposals?
As a rule, it is consortia rather than individual organisations that apply under the European Defence Fund. The basic rule is that a project consortium must include at least three eligible legal entities from EU Member States or associated countries, thereby promoting cross-border cooperation and the pooling of competences.
Individual organisations must therefore participate as part of an international partnership. Consortia typically bring together defence industry companies, high-tech companies, research organisations, universities and other innovation environments that develop advanced technologies with potential defence or security applications. This includes areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced materials, sensor systems, unmanned platforms, space technologies, and other strategic solutions. Annual work programmes set out specific priorities based on the common security needs of Member States. This enables coordinated investment in technologies that are key to the EU's future security and resilience.
The purpose of this structure is to strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base by bringing together complementary knowledge and capabilities. For companies, this means that it is crucial to position themselves in the European innovation ecosystem in a timely manner and to actively seek suitable partners for joint solution development.
You mentioned annual work programmes that set specific priorities. What are the priorities of the European Defence Fund for 2026?
The priorities of the European Defence Fund for 2026 focus on strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities across 16 thematic categories, aligned with EU capability development priorities and the White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030.
Several themes stand out in the 2026 European Defence Fund priorities. The programme places strong emphasis on resilience, digital superiority, and advanced capability development.
Among the notable focus areas are defence medical response and CBRN technologies, information superiority (including C4ISR), advanced sensors and radar systems, and cyber defence, including quantum-secured tactical networks.
The priorities also highlight space and secure satellite services, digital transformation and AI-based defence applications, energy resilience and environmental transition, as well as materials, components, simulation, training, and disruptive technologies with dedicated SME support.
Overall, the 2026 programme prioritises collaborative research and development in critical and emerging defence technologies, with a strong emphasis on innovation, interoperability, resilience and reducing strategic dependencies within the EU.
How does the EDF contribute to the broader strategic autonomy of the European Union?
The EDF is an important instrument for strengthening Europe's technological and industrial sovereignty, as it promotes the development of key capabilities within the EU and reduces dependence on external suppliers. Through joint projects, Member States are developing interoperable systems and common standards that enhance the effectiveness and readiness of European defence structures. In the context of the current geopolitical situation, this means greater resilience, better coordination and long-term stability.
We have noticed that the European Commission is actively promoting the EUDIS Defence Hackathon initiative. What exactly is it, and how is it related to the European Defence Fund?
The EUDIS Defence Hackathon is one of the EU's key initiatives to promote defence innovation and connect the new defence ecosystem with actual operational needs. The fourth edition will take place from 26 to 28 March 2026 at eight locations across the EU and Norway, with applications open from 16 February to 20 March 2026.
The theme of this year's edition is "Defending Airspace", with a focus on airspace protection, drone detection and tracking, and responding to new threats. The hackathon is aimed at start-ups, researchers, engineers and defence experts who are developing prototype solutions in collaboration with industry and end users. In a broader sense, it complements the European Defence Fund, as the EDF supports larger research and development projects, while EUDIS represents an entry point for new ideas and actors that can later be incorporated into larger European projects.
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💡Open Call: Modelling & Simulation-Supported AI Framework for Military Decision-Making and Training
Type of action: Research Action | Focus: AI-enabled modelling and simulation framework for military decision-making and training, improving operational readiness, scenario simulation, and multinational interoperability | Funding rate: 100% of total eligible costs | Funding: up to €8 million per project | Deadline: 29 September 2026
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Let us conclude by saying that European defence initiatives are not merely a response to the current situation, but part of a broader, long-term vision for a safer, more resilient and technologically advanced Europe. This is a strategic direction that goes beyond the defence sector in the narrow sense and opens up opportunities for organisations from various fields.
Such an environment requires a thoughtful approach, timely recognition of opportunities and strong international networking. As a reliable partner in EU projects, Tiko Pro helps organisations with strategic positioning, project idea development, consortium formation, and the preparation of high-quality applications that align with European priorities.