Innovation Fund Denmark opens two new apply options within defense technology and security

April 24. 2026

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Innovation Fund Denmark is launching two new apply options to strengthen Denmark's and Europe's capacity within defense and security technology and support the operational needs of the Danish Armed Forces. Consortia across research, industry and authorities will thus have two different paths to funding depending on the size, maturity and organization of the project - from ambitious research and innovation projects that must create impact within the project period, to larger, mission-driven center efforts.

Innovation Fund Denmark is now opening two new application options for consortia across research, industry and authorities that want to develop solutions within defense technology and security.

This is done partly through a new call in the Grand Solutions program "Defense technology and innovation" and partly through a completely new initiative "Strategic research and innovation centers within defense technology and security".

Both apply options aim to strengthen the development of technologies that can, among other things, support the operational needs of the Danish Armed Forces and contribute to defense capacity, national resilience and security of supply. At the same time, they will support the building of a stronger Danish ecosystem within defense and security technology and strengthen the position of Danish actors in international collaborations.

Both Grand Solutions projects and projects in the strategic research and innovation centers must contribute to bringing technologies closer to application.

Get more information about the two application options below. You can also register for Innovation Fund Denmark's webinar on May 7th from 10-11:30.

Register for webinar

Grand Solutions call: Defense technology and innovation

The call is aimed at ambitious research and innovation projects within both single-use defense technology and dual-use critical technologies. These could include projects within surveillance and protection, cyber security, critical infrastructure, unmanned systems, sensor technologies and maritime solutions.

The projects must be based on specific defense technology challenges and are expected to be implemented in collaboration between, among others, universities, research institutions, GTS institutes, companies and relevant public authorities.

Be aware of deviations
Applicants should be aware that the Grand Solutions call differs from other Grand Solutions calls in a few ways:

The announcement has a deadline 10 days earlier than phase 2 (invite only) for the foundation's other Grand Solutions call in 2026 - to allow time for party consultation regarding any external assessments.
The application process is one-stage with full application
A significant part of the potential impact must be realized within the project's lifetime.

Brief overview:

Program: Grand Solutions
The announcement will be carried out as a single call in 2026.
Application deadline: September 1, 2026 at 12:00 noon
Project duration: 1-5 years
Total budget for the call: minimum DKK 105 million.
Innovation Fund Denmark's investment per project: DKK 5-30 million.
Maximum investment level: 75 percent of the total project budget
Application process: One-phase with full application
Applications are processed in open competition, and decisions are expected to be issued in December 2026.

Strategic research and innovation centers in defense technology and security

The new center announcement is aimed at larger, mission-driven initiatives where broad national partnerships will establish strategic research and innovation centers based on existing Danish positions of strength.

The centers must work in a targeted and portfolio-based manner with the development, testing, maturation and implementation of technologies that both support the Armed Forces' operational needs and are critical for Danish security of supply.

Innovation Fund Denmark can establish up to four centers.

For the center announcement, the first step is an expression of interest with a roadmap, which must be submitted no later than June 30, 2026 at 12:00.

Applicants in phase 1 can expect a response in mid-August 2026, while phase 2 is expected to start in mid-September 2026.

Brief overview:

Announcement: Strategic research and innovation centers within defense technology and security
Application deadline, phase 1: June 30, 2026 at 12:00 noon
Investment period: 2026-2029
Total investment budget: minimum DKK 585 million.
Maximum investment level: up to 90 percent of the total budget.
Application process: Two phases
- Phase 1: expression of interest including roadmap
- Phase 2: full application for invited applicants
Applications are processed in open competition, and decisions are expected to be issued in December 2026.