{"id":1855,"date":"2025-04-09T14:38:42","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T14:38:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stage.thedefender.media\/?p=1855"},"modified":"2025-09-01T15:20:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T12:20:11","slug":"acting-fast-and-acting-big-edf-and-all-it-has-to-offer-to-ukrainian-innovators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stage.thedefender.media\/en\/2025\/04\/acting-fast-and-acting-big-edf-and-all-it-has-to-offer-to-ukrainian-innovators\/","title":{"rendered":"Acting fast and acting big: EDF and all it has to offer to Ukrainian Innovators"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Brussels recently hosted one of the year\u2019s key defence innovation events<\/a> \u2014 the European Defence Fund (EDF) Info Days 2025. Among the attendees was Viktor Kharyton, who reports for Defender<\/em> on what was discussed at the forum \u2014 and what funding opportunities, collaborations, and strategic prospects the EDF may offer to Ukrainian defence tech startups.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Geopolitical tensions are escalating globally, heating up the diplomatic \u2014 and increasingly defence \u2014 scene by the hour. Europe’s pursuit of strategic autonomy is no longer aspirational; it has become a pressing imperative. That message rang loud and clear from Defence and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius <\/strong>during the early April\u2019s EDF forum in Brussels, a record-breaking event attended by over 5,000 innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders. As Commissioner Kubilius declared, “The world is dangerous. Europe now must take responsibility for its own defence. We scale up and speed up, acting fast and acting big.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a significant seven-year (2021-2027) budget of approximately \u20ac7.3 billion, the EDF is a cornerstone of Europe\u2019s defence innovation strategy, aiming to boost defence innovation across the continent. Its expansive work programme spans critical sectors: from air and ground combat to naval warfare, cyber and space security, medical readiness, and energy resilience. Notably, disruptive technologies and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including those from Ukraine, are given strategic focus. But a focus does not mean an easier path to funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EDF is the European Union\u2019s flagship initiative to drive collaborative defence research and development (R&D) among EU Member States and associated countries. The 2025 Work Programme targets a broad spectrum of capability areas, with additional mechanisms under the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) aimed at supporting SMEs and mid-caps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"EDF
EDF Categories of Actions. Source: EDF. Day 1 – Plenary<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s in store for Ukrainian defence innovators<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Historically, the EDF funding has focused on EU member states. Yet, Brussels\u2019 continued solidarity with Ukraine is opening new doors. While direct funding remains largely restricted, multiple entry points have emerged:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS)<\/strong>: Ukrainian innovators are encouraged to participate through EUDIS, offering cascade funding \u2014 financial support to third parties (FSTP) \u2014 of up to \u20ac60,000 per entity. EUDIS hackathons specifically focus on Ukraine\u2019s urgent battlefield needs, welcoming Ukrainian citizen participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associated Partnerships and Supplier Opportunities<\/strong>: Ukrainian entities can join EDF consortia as associated partners or suppliers. While direct costs aren\u2019t eligible for EDF grants, participating companies can still significantly benefit from tech transfers, market access, and integration into Europe’s defence ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EU-established Entities with Ukrainian Ownership<\/strong>: Companies registered within the EU but owned by Ukrainian entities or individuals are eligible as beneficiaries or subcontractors, contingent upon appropriate guarantees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging with the EDF requires navigating complex eligibility and compliance frameworks. With all 2025 proposal calls closing on October 16, Ukrainian innovators should consider the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Consortium Formation: Generally, at least three independent eligible entities from three different EU member states<\/strong> or Norway are needed to form a consortium. Special conditions apply for disruptive technologies, requiring fewer participants.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Regulatory Compliance and Intellectual Property: Compliance with EU security standards, regulatory frameworks, and intellectual property rights protection is critical. EDF-funded projects must remain free from external control <\/strong>by non-associated third countries.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Funding Mechanics and Management: EDF grants can be based either on actual eligible costs or lump-sum payments<\/strong> contingent upon successful project completion. Thus demonstrating efficient financial and project management is essential for Ukrainian participants to ensure compliance and maximize benefits.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    To fully leverage EDF opportunities, Ukrainian innovators should make active use of resources curated by the EDF ecosystem for both technical and informal bits of cooperation. Defender Media has compiled a go-to toolkit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n