AGILE – €115 Million Programme for Rapid Defence Innovation
The European Commission has introduced AGILE, a new €115 million funding instrument designed to accelerate the transition of disruptive defence technologies from laboratory prototypes to field‑ready capabilities within 1–3 years. The programme is tailored to support startups, SMEs and fast‑moving tech innovators, addressing the need for short innovation cycles in modern defence.
What AGILE Funds
AGILE focuses on breakthrough technologies, including:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Quantum technologies
- Unmanned systems & drones
The programme will support 20–30 projects with up to 100% funding of eligible costs.
A retroactive eligibility period of up to 3 months before the call deadline is also foreseen.
Key Features
- Time‑to‑grant: just 4 months, speeding up innovation cycles dramatically
- Operational deployment within 1–3 years
- Designed for the “New Defence” ecosystem of startups and agile tech players
Critical Deadlines
- Programme announced: 25–26 March 2026
- Operational launch expected: early 2027, pending adoption by the European Parliament & Council
Note: Specific call deadlines will be published by the European Commission during 2026.
Official AGILE Webpage (European Commission)
https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/programme-agile-and-rapid-defence-innovation_en