Policy Snapshot -AGILE
09 April 2026
Commission presents €115 million Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE) 25 March 2026 Scope: accelerate disruptive defence technologies from lab to real-world deployment Target beneficiaries: SMEs, start-ups, and scale-ups (“New Defence players”); […]
Commission presents €115 million Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE)
25 March 2026
- Scope: accelerate disruptive defence technologies from lab to real-world deployment
- Target beneficiaries: SMEs, start-ups, and scale-ups (“New Defence players”); designed for fast-moving tech innovators.
- Time-to-grant: ~4 months (very fast for EU funding).
- Deployment timeline: 1–3 years to reach defence forces.
- Supports 20–30 projects. Provides up to 100% funding of eligible costs.
- Includes a retroactive funding clause (covers costs up to 3 months before application deadline).
- Activities supported: mission-driven development of disruptive defence technologies; market delivery, helping solutions reach real defence users.
Read more: HERE
EU to pilot €120M fast-paced disruptive defence innovation scheme
31 March 2026
The Agile scheme will aim to boost start-up access to finance as the EU revamps defence R&D support in lead up to the next EU budget.
- Agile will fund single start-ups directly
- Target disruptive technologies (shift toward dual-use and fast-evolving battlefield tech)
- The scheme is designed to make the EU more responsive to rapid tech development cycles. It acknowledges that small, agile players are increasingly central to defence innovation.
- Agile complements existing instruments like the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), which already aims to support SMEs and start-ups and help them scale and enter defence markets
Read more: HERE