Ministry to launch EUR 1M call for enterprises to accelerate defence innovation
Ministry of the Economy and Innovation (EIMIN) is launching the call for tenders of EUR 1 million under the “Defence Innovation Vouchers 3” programme. Enterprises that take advantage of this funding will be able to create new and develop existing products, technologies and services designed to meet defence needs.
“Given the hybrid air threats facing Lithuania, we must further strengthen the country’s defence and security. Therefore, we will allocate funding to enterprises that implement innovations in the defence sector. This will strengthen the country’s defence capabilities, ensure technological independence and build resilience against threats,” says Minister of the Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas.
Enterprises that will conduct research, experimental development and create innovations or purchase such services from Lithuanian institutions of science and studies (universities, research centres) or experienced innovation developers will be eligible for funding.
“We are currently seeing growing business interest in defence technologies and their development. That is why we are helping Lithuanian companies strengthen their capabilities, test new ideas and grow in high value-added sectors that are important today for both the country’s economy and its security. Even small investments often provide a significant impetus for companies to experiment, create prototypes and move more quickly toward real solutions,” says Monika Paulė, Head of the Innovation Agency coordinating the call for tenders.
Micro, small or medium-sized enterprises registered in Lithuania with sales revenue of at least EUR 10,000 in the last financial year will be eligible for funding. Funding will be provided only for solutions with a high level of technological readiness. This will reduce the risk of funding early-stage or limited practical applicability technologies.
The call for business has been prepared taking into account the operational and functional needs of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and four priorities established in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the Ministry of National Defence and the Innovation Agency.
Two projects will be funded under each priority, meaning that eight defence and security industry projects will be eligible for funding.
Under the first priority, aimed at enhancing security and integrating remote control solutions in the air, on land and at sea, technologies will be developed to enable sensors and connect them across different geographical environments.
Under the second priority, systems will be developed to destroy or neutralize hostile unmanned systems, as well as innovative technological solutions to locate the operators of hostile unmanned systems.
Under the third priority, solutions for the protection and survivability of armed forces will be enabled, including the development of autonomous and difficult-to-detect tactical communication solutions for data or voice.
Under the fourth priority, the development of counter-mobility and mobility solutions will enable the creation of underwater sensor technology for monitoring critical infrastructure.
Applications under the “Defence Innovation Vouchers 3” measure may be submitted until 3 July. The call for tenders is coordinated by the Innovation Agency.
More information can be found here.
Last updated: 04-06-2026
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