The European Commission amended the European Defence Fund (EDF) Work Programme for 2026 to align with the Mini-Omnibus regulation and updates to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). Key changes include simplified procedures for disruptive defence technologies, reduced application lengths for SMEs and research organisations, and streamlined proposal evaluation. STEP now features a fourth investment area for Defence Technologies, with over €24 billion in EU funding allocated since March 2024. Nearly all high-quality EDF proposals will receive a STEP Seal, enabling access to complementary funding. The Mini-Omnibus also facilitates Ukraine’s potential association with the EDF, pending negotiations. The EDF aims to reduce investment fragmentation in defence technologies and strengthen industrial competitiveness across Europe. Since its 2021 launch, the Commission has committed nearly €6.5 billion to defence R&D.
© European Union Adapted from https://www.europa.eu , licensed under CC BY‑4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/changes-edf-work-programme-simpler-procedures-and-expanded-investment-areas-2026-02-04_en
Made by AI. If you spot anything of concern write us at contact@cybach.com. We’ll promptly correct irregularities.