The European Commission has adopted an amendment to the European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026, introducing new opportunities for companies developing defence and dual-use technologies.
With this change, the EIC expands its investment scope to support innovations with both civilian and defence applications, marking an important development in Europe’s approach to innovation, industrial capacity, and technological resilience.
Under the updated framework, the EIC Accelerator and STEP Scaleup programmes will become available to startups and SMEs developing dual-use solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials, robotics, and other strategic technologies. Eligible companies may apply for grants of up to €2.5 million and equity investments of up to €30 million.
In parallel, the EIC has launched a dedicated €100 million EIC STEP Defence Scale Up call. The initiative will provide direct equity financing of up to €30 million per company to support industrial scale-up in priority areas including air and missile defence, drones and counter-drone technologies, and other critical defence capabilities.
Applications will be open from 30 June until 28 October 2026, with selected projects expected to be announced in early 2027.
This is the first time an EU funding instrument will directly invest equity into defence-related companies — a move intended to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, accelerate innovation, and reduce dependence on non-EU technologies.
Read more here.
For organisations operating at the intersection of advanced technologies and market application, this creates new opportunities to develop scalable solutions with broader impact across sectors.
At Klaipeda Science and Technology Park, we see growing relevance in dual-use innovation and remain open to cooperation with startups, SMEs, researchers, technology developers, and industry partners exploring opportunities in this field.
If you are developing technologies with dual-use potential or looking for collaboration opportunities, we invite you to connect with Giedrius Janušauskas: giedrius.janusauskas@kmtp.lt
