EIC defence call

European Commission DG DEFIS (EDF, EUDIS) · the publisher calls it «EIC STEP Scale Up Defence call»

This is an EIC equity-focused call for defence technology SMEs, which must already hold a pre-commitment of at least 20% of their target funding round from a single qualified investor. Drones and counter-drones (including unmanned aerial systems and anti-UAV systems) are one of eleven listed defence areas, with the portal deadline of 28 October 2026. (machine-written summary)

Deadline

28 Oct 2026 (time: see source)

Source text: «Deadline (Funding & Tenders portal data field): 28 October 2026»

The source gives no time zone; the publisher’s local time is assumed.

Programme

EIC STEP Scale Up Defence (HORIZON-EIC-2026-STEP-DEFENCE-01)

References

HORIZON-EIC-2026-DEFENCE-01, HORIZON-EIC-2026-STEP-DEFENCE-01

What is needed

The EIC STEP Scale-Up call for defence technologies supports projects falling within the defence strategic technology areas as described in STEP (Second Guidance Note on STEP)

Who is sought

participation is limited to SMEs, including start-ups, and small mid-caps 196 established in the Union, in Ukraine, or in an EEA member associated to Horizon Europe.

How to respond

The application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System

Access

Norwegian suppliers: not stated — check the access terms

Source text: «A single company classified as a SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established in the Union, in Ukraine or in an EEA member associated to Horizon Europe»

Membership required

Not stated

Export and security terms

Such guarantees must provide assurances that the participation of the legal entity does not contravene the security and defence interests of the Union and its Member States

Funding

Not stated

Source text: «This call targets companies raising significant funding rounds and you must demonstrate an initial market interest such that the EIC investment acts as a catalyst for larger funding rounds.»

Last checked against the source 2026-10-10.