Amended Submission Process for European Defence Fund (EDF) Proposals

In accordance with the new framework for the implementation of Research and Development (R&D) programmes, as defined by the relevant legislation following the establishment of the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (HCDI), and in accordance with the relevant Ministerial Decision (ΦΕΚ B’39/15 Jan 25), the responsibility for supporting proposals submitted under the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the associated procedures is now assumed by HCDI. To ensure a smooth transition to the new framework and to avoid disrupting the positive momentum of the Greek defence innovation ecosystem, the support for proposals under the EDF Work Programme 2025 (EDF WP25) will henceforth be managed by HCDI, in accordance with the applicable legislation and in close cooperation with the Directorate of Defence Investments and Technological Research (DDITR) of the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA).

As a result, the following changes apply to the procedure, superseding the provisions of document Ref. No. Φ.186/21057/Σ.3073/17 Feb 25/GDAEE/DAETE, which was published on the GDDIA website on 18 Feb 25 (see publication here).

Any Greek entity wishing to participate in a Research or Development Action under the EDF WP25 and seeking support from the MoD, must submit its request directly to HCDI at the email address: RnD@elkak.gr. Proposals that have already been submitted to GDDIA have been forwarded to HCDI and are under review; therefore, no resubmission is required. For each request, HCDI will send a receipt confirmation.

The deadlines for submitting support requests are revised as follows:

• Participation in a Consortium as Coordinator of a Development Action (DA) by 31 July 2025
• Participation in a Consortium as Partner in a Development Action (DA) by 5 September 2025
• Participation in a Research Action (RA) by 19 September 2025
  • In special cases requiring a Letter of Intent (LoI), the deadline is 14 August 2025.

The proposal submission template (Annex “Γ”) published in the GDDIA document, remains valid without changes.

Once all requests per category have been received, a decision will be made regarding their support. 

For clarifications or further information, interested parties may contact HCDI at RnD@elkak.gr, and the designated officers:

• Colonel (IT) Nikolaos Chrysopoulos, GDDIA/DDITR Tel: +30 210-7466455 | Email: nchrisopoulos@gdaee.mil.gr
• Commander Michail Pothitos HN, HCDI/RDI Tel: +30 210-7466505 | Email: m.pothitos@elkak.gr 

For more information on HCDI activities, please visit: www.elkak.gr

About HCDI 

The Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (HCDI S.A.) is established as a Société Anonyme, with the Ministry of National Defence (67%) and the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (33%) as its shareholders. HCDI is charged with cultivating a robust domestic defence innovation ecosystem capable of fulfilling Greece’s national security needs. It focuses on soliciting R&D contracts for dual-use technologies that can enhance the country’s operational capabilities in defence and enable economic growth. It bridges startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, research centers, military academies, Universities and established commercial and defence industry companies with the Hellenic Armed Forces, Security Agencies, and Civil Protection, using financial and non-financial tools to drive more collaboration and to accelerate the transformation of innovative ideas into cutting-edge defense solutions. HCDI is supervised by the Minister of National Defence. For more information, visit www.elkak.gr.