Ukraine Ratifies Agreement on Participation in the European Defence Fund

On 16 September 2026 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted the Law ratifying the Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on Ukraine’s participation in the European Defence Fund (EDF).

The Agreement, signed in Kyiv on 13 July 2026, provides the legal basis for Ukraine’s participation in one of the EU’s key instruments for funding collaborative defence research and development and strengthening the European defence technological and industrial base.

The European Defence Fund supports cross-border cooperation in defence research and development. Its budget for 2021–2027 amounts to approximately EUR 7.3 billion. Funding is provided for collaborative projects in defence research and the development of defence technologies and capabilities.

Ukraine’s association with the EDF was agreed at the EU level in November 2025 as part of a package of measures aimed at boosting European defence investment and implementing the ReArm Europe Plan. Ukraine’s ratification of the Agreement is a necessary step towards its practical participation in the EDF.

What does this mean for Ukrainian defence companies?

Once the Agreement enters into force, Ukrainian defence tech companies, research institutions and other organisations will be able to join consortia with European partners, participate in collaborative R&D projects and apply for EU funding, subject to the eligibility requirements and other conditions of the relevant EDF calls.

Each year, the European Commission adopts an EDF Work Programme setting out funding priorities, calls for proposals, budgets and eligibility requirements. The 2026 EDF Work Programme has a budget of EUR 1 billion and covers 31 call topics, including unmanned systems, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, sensors, space technologies and other defence capabilities.

How to find a call and submit an application

Current EDF calls for proposals and the relevant call documentation are published on the European Commission’s EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Applications are also submitted electronically through the Portal.

Further information on the EDF, including annual Work Programmes, individual call topics, results of previous calls and EDF Info Days materials, is available on the European Commission’s official European Defence Fund webpage.