EU Dual-Use Funding for French Companies: Programmes and Contacts

France has the EU's largest defence budget and one of its strongest deep-tech ecosystems. French companies are natural candidates for dual-use EU funding, and the national support system (DGA, BPI, GICAT) is among the most developed in Europe.

EU programmes

Programme	Funding	French NCP / Contact
European Defence Fund	Up to €5M (100%)	DGA / Ministère des Armées
Horizon Europe	€500K to €4M (70-100%)	PCN Horizon Europe
EIC Accelerator	€2.5M grant	PCN EIC
Digital Europe	50-75%	DGE

French national programmes

DGA Innovation: the Direction Générale de l'Armement's innovation arm. Runs RAPID (dual-use innovation grants for SMEs), ASTRID (academic-industry R&D), and direct procurement calls. RAPID grants are specifically designed for civilian companies with dual-use technology.

BPI France: France's public investment bank. Offers innovation grants, loans, and equity for deep-tech companies. Not defence-specific but funds dual-use technology development. BPI also co-invests alongside EU grants.

GICAT / GICAN: industry associations for land and naval technology. Run matchmaking events, innovation challenges, and connect SMEs with primes (Thales, Naval Group, Safran, MBDA).

Cyber Campus (Paris): France's cybersecurity ecosystem hub. Connects startups with government buyers, runs innovation challenges, and provides access to the ANSSI certification process.

France's strongest sectors

• Paris/Saclay: AI, quantum, cybersecurity
• Toulouse: aerospace, space, satellite
• Grenoble: semiconductors, photonics, quantum
• Bordeaux: laser technology, photonics
• Brest/Toulon: maritime, underwater technology

How to start

Contact DGA Innovation for RAPID grants if you're an SME with dual-use technology. For EU calls, reach out to the relevant PCN (Point de Contact National). BPI France can co-finance your participation in EU projects. Check eligibility across all programmes.