EU Civil Research Funds and Dual-Use Defence: Scope, Risks, and Institutional Trade-offs

Europe is debating whether civilian research funds should support defence-relevant innovation in response to a deteriorating security environment. The discussion focuses on allowing selected dual-use projects to access instruments historically reserved for purely civilian purposes. Advocates argue that dual-use pathways can accelerate critical capabilities without duplicating budgets or bureaucracies, while sceptics warn that mission creep could blur boundaries between open science and restricted programmes. Universities face operational questions on screening, data governance, and export-control compliance. Policymakers must weigh strategic urgency against academic freedom and international openness. The core issue is not only what to fund, but how to preserve transparency, integrity, and trusted collaboration. Any change will require clear eligibility rules, security vetting, and proportional safeguards. Implementation must prevent crowding-out of fundamental research while enabling defensible priorities. Evaluation criteria will need to recognise dual-use value without compromising scientific merit. Member States will expect fair access and predictable legal frameworks, while affiliated non-EU participants will seek clarity on participation rights and limits. The outcome will shape Europe’s research model and its defence industrial resilience, signalling how the EU balances openness with security in the coming decade.