European Defence Fund launches first funding call – open to SMEs and start-ups in Ukraine

The first European Defence Fund (EDF) MaJoR cascade funding call opened on 28 January with a deadline for applications on 25 March 2026, 17:00 CET. 

The MaJoR project focuses on modernising defence systems and improving the durability of future platforms through innovative technologies for maintenance, joining and repair of multi-material structures across air, sea, and land domains.

Under the European Defence Fund (EDF), projects can provide Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), also known as cascade funding. This mechanism aims to support smaller players, including newcomers to the defence sector, by contributing to their innovative technologies and specialised expertise. It provides them with opportunities to explore and expand their defence business.

This first FSTP sub-call seeks up to 30 innovators to serve as technology solution providers and address specific innovation challenges across the three domains. 

Eligible participants include small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups established in EU Member States, Norway or Ukraine. Ukrainian entities are particularly encouraged to apply.

The areas of interest for this sub-call include:

• Hybrid structures for defence platforms: multi-material design, joining and reversible interfaces.
• Innovative joining technologies and processes for multi-material defence structures.
• Structural health monitoring, health and usage monitoring systems and embedded sensor architectures for next-generation defence platforms.
• Non-destructive testing for bonded joints: maintenance, repair, bonding initial design and diagnostics for hybrid and composite structures.
• Digitalisation, AI and decision support tools for structural assessment and defence maintenance.

Successful applicants will receive up to €60,000 in funding and participate in a 6-month business development support programme.

Find out more

Press release

Factsheet on the FTSP mechanism and the first sub-calls for the MaJor project

Funding & Tenders Portal – First cascade sub-call for the MaJoR project

Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) – First sub-call for the MaJoR project

European Defence Fund (EDF)