European Innovation Council (EIC)
EIC defence call
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The EIC Defence call funds ambitious, high-risk innovation projects in defence and security with grants of €10-30 million per project. The call is open to consortia led by a strong commercial or research entity committed to bringing a defensible technology to market or deployment. This is a one-time call under Horizon Europe's Innovation Council (EIC) scheme, targeting breakthrough innovations with clear strategic value to European defence capabilities.
Details
| Funder | European Innovation Council (EIC) |
| Budget | €10,000,000 – €30,000,000 per grant |
| Deadline | 28 October 2026 |
Eligibility & scope
EIC call (HORIZON-EIC-2026-STEP-DEFENCE-01): HORIZON EIC Equity Only
Who Should Apply
- •Consortia with a strong lead partner (industry, research institution, or hybrid)
- •Teams developing dual-use or defence-specific technologies with clear market or deployment pathway
- •Organisations with capacity to manage large, complex projects (€10-30M budgets)
- •Projects addressing strategic gaps in European defence and security capabilities
- •Applicants ready to navigate equity-only funding model and commercial scalability requirements
Key Dates
- •Deadline: 28 October 2026 at 17:00 CET
- •Single-stage submission (equity-only call)
- •Project duration and milestones subject to individual project design
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Lead with the strategic defence or security need, not the technology alone, EIC panels evaluate market pull and policy alignment, not just innovation novelty.
- ✓Equity-only funding means no grant repayment, but clear exit strategy and financial sustainability are critical; model realistic paths to commercial viability or institutional deployment.
- ✓Consortia strength matters: include both technical and commercialisation expertise; a named SME or industry partner with track record in scale-up lifts credibility significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I request in an EIC Defence grant?
Grants range from €10 million to €30 million per project, depending on scope and consortia size.
Who should lead an EIC Defence consortium?
A strong commercial, research, or hybrid entity must lead; consortia should combine technical depth with commercialisation or deployment capacity.
What does equity-only funding mean in the EIC Defence call?
Funding is disbursed as grants (not loans or equity stakes), but the call expects projects to demonstrate viable paths to commercial scale-up or institutional deployment.
Is the EIC Defence call recurring?
This is a one-time call under the current Horizon Europe framework; check the EIC website for future defence-related opportunities.
What is the deadline for the EIC Defence call?
The deadline is 28 October 2026 at 17:00 CET.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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