Equity investment of EUR 10 to 30 million through the EIC Fund to scale up critical defence technologies. ⚠️ The deadline closes on 28.10.2026, 17:00 CET — check whether the call is still open before submitting.
Key information
| Programme | Horizon Europe / EIC / STEP |
| Call | EIC STEP Scale Up Defence 2026 |
| Authority | European Innovation Council (EIC); EIC Fund |
| Type of support | Equity investment through the EIC Fund (not a grant) |
| Size | EUR 10,000,000 to 30,000,000 per applicant |
| Total budget | EUR 100,000,000 |
| Open since | 01.07.2026 |
| Deadline | 28.10.2026 |
| Eligible applicants | SMEs or small mid-caps (fewer than 500 employees) from the EU and Horizon Europe associated EEA countries and Ukraine; an investor may apply on behalf of the company |
| Specific conditions | Prior commitment from a qualified investor for at least 20% of the planned investment round is required; special restrictions apply to third-country control |
About the call
STEP is the EU's platform for Strategic Technologies for Europe — a mechanism that mobilises funding across 11 different programmes in three target areas: digital technologies, clean and resource-efficient technologies, and biotechnologies. EIC Scale Up Defence is STEP's dedicated defence sub-window.
The call funds the scale-up of critical defence technologies: air and missile defence, drones and counter-drone systems, as well as other technologies across the critical defence value chain. The investment is made as an equity stake through the EIC Fund, not as a grant.
Useful links
The information in this card is current as of 22.09.2026. The deadline is the final day — check the official source before taking any action.