Start consortia forming, the new EDF work programme 2023 is published! Deadline for submission 22 November 2023

European Defence Fund (EDF) is dedicating a total budget of 1.2 billion € to the 2023 EDF calls for proposals. The calls will cover 34 topics with a deadline for submission of 22 November 2023.

SiEnE will support national and international consortium forming according to the greening of defence topic mission to enhance research and development actions for dual-use technologies and transfer of most excellent civil solutions to defence use.

The third EDF work programme is organised around 4 thematic calls and 3 calls dedicated to SMEs and disruptive technologies. The 2023 Work Programme includes targeted measures to stimulate defence innovation. Inbuilt measures such as Technological Challenges, calls focused on SMEs & disruptive technologies, and the Defence Equity Facility are all aimed at enhancing EU defence innovation.

The description of the topics addressed in these calls can be found in the documents listed below.

About EDF 2023 Work programme

The third EDF work programme is organised around 4 thematic calls and 3 calls dedicated to SMEs and disruptive technologies, consisting of 34 topics on the following categories with a dedicated budget in M (milions).

1. Defence medical response, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) | €40 M
2. Information superiority | €99 M
3. Advanced passive and active sensors | €69 M
4. Cyber | €60 M
5. Space | €125 M
6. Digital transformation | €45 M
7. Energy resilience and environmental transition | €25 M
8. Materials and components | €50 M
9. Air combat | €63 M
10. Air and missile defence| €123 M
11. Ground combat | €47 M
12. Force protection and mobility | €45 M
13. Naval combat | €154,5 M
14. Underwater warfare | €90 M
15. Disruptive technologies | €41 M
16. SME Calls | €72 M
17. Other actions | €30,3 M

What actions are to be funded?

EDF supports the targeted type of actions as Research actions and Development actions, which differ in the type of activities that can be included to the projects. In addition, there are some mandatory actions to be included to projects if to be successful on the calls.

Who can apply and eligibility conditions?

In order to be eligible to EDF funding, recipients and subcontractors involved in the action must be established in the EU, have their executive management structure in the EU and must not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or by a non-associated third-country entity.

The following organisations may apply:

• large enterprises, medium-sized enterprises, and small enterprises
• research and technological organisations,
• universities,
• public sector,
• business associations,
• national authorities,
• international organisations.

SiEnE Partnership Support

TECES as the founder of SiEnE, Slovenian Energy and Environment Partnership in Defence  and the coordinator of existing first EDF call approved project INDY, Energy Independent and Efficient Deployable Military Camps can provide guidance tips and tricks to your organisation to form an excellent consortium.

More information follows.

Useful links

• Factsheet on EDF calls 2023 | HERE
• EDF Work Programme 2023 | HERE
• Call Topics Description 2023 | HERE

Additional information

Interested in additional information or potentials to include your organisation into planned activities, call us.

SiEnE Project Office .:.  +386 2 333 13 50 .:.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.