Defence.Tech.NRW opens up new opportunities: apply now for funding for high-tech and dual-use innovations and benefit from the strong research environment in NRW.
Mechanical and plant engineering in North Rhine-Westphalia has been one of the most innovative industries in Germany for decades. With the new “Defence.Tech.NRW” funding call, the state is now opening up additional opportunities for companies that want to further develop their technological expertise in security and defense-related applications or enter the dual-use sector.
For mechanical engineering companies in particular, the call offers attractive opportunities to transfer existing technologies to new markets or to leverage additional innovation potential through cooperation with research institutions.
The funding call is aimed in particular at:
– Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – also from the mechanical and plant engineering sector
– Research and educational institutions
What is being funded?
The focus is on high-tech innovations for civil and military defense, including dual-use applications and technologies in the entire value-added network of industrial and service-oriented production. The program thus offers the mechanical and plant engineering sector an excellent opportunity to transfer existing technologies into security and defence-relevant contexts or to initiate new development projects.
Why is mechanical and plant engineering particularly relevant?
NRW has a strongly medium-sized industrial structure in which mechanical and plant engineering companies in particular play a central role. Thanks to their expertise in the development of highly complex and reliable production systems, they make an important contribution to strengthening European defense and security capabilities. At the same time, new opportunities arise for growth, value creation and the expansion of their own technology portfolio.
How does the application process work?
Applications are submitted as part of a one-stage application process. Funding applications can be submitted directly and are reviewed in the order in which they are received. An independent review committee evaluates the submitted projects and establishes a ranking. Positively evaluated applications are approved in accordance with the available budget.
Submission deadline
Projects can be submitted until April 30, 2026.
Funding background
Projects that comply with the STEP regulation (Strategic Technologies for Europe) are funded in accordance with STEP. All other projects can be supported via the ERDF/JTF program NRW 2021-2027. The call is implemented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of NRW (MWIKE).