Defence Cascade Funding: Europe’s New Gatekeeping Layer for SMEs

How EDF and EUDIS sub-calls are reshaping early access to the defence-industrial base.

Defence cascade funding is becoming one of the least visible but most consequential entry mechanisms in Europe’s defence innovation system. Through EDF and EUDIS-backed consortia, small grants, sub-calls and financial support to third parties can give SMEs, start-ups and non-traditional suppliers their first structured contact with defence-funded projec…