NATO has recently announced the first cohort of companies that will benefit from its DIANA Accelerator over the coming months. Across seven different countries, these businesses are specialising in domains such as quantum sensing to renewable energy to ultra cold matter.
If this news has inspired you to seek out funding opportunities for your innovation in the field of security and defence, particularly if you have a dual-use solution, we are here to help! There are a number of open calls that SMEs in Oulu can participate in right now. Keep reading for some specific examples that might be of interest within our cluster.
Pitch Finland Cyber Security 2024
The Pitch Finland Cyber Security is open to those offering innovative solutions and services that drive the development, growth, and internationalisation of the cyber security industry.
This competition is open to cyber security teams, companies or organisations that (amongst other criteria) has an innovation that promotes responsible digitalisation, data processing and trust. Finalists are invited to pitch at the forthcoming Cyber Security Nordic event in Helsinki on 29th November, where they have a chance to win a €10,000 prize, donated by the Finnish Fair Foundation.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 22nd September.
Horizon Europe
There are two open Horizon Europe calls from the European Commission that relate to issues of security and defence.
The Call for Proposal on Advanced real-time Data Analysis for Infrastructure Resilience aims to develop tools for rapid risk identification and response in interconnected infrastructure networks, enhancing their resilience and preparedness through technological and social science integration. There is also a Call for Proposals for Security in Software and Hardware Development and Assessment, which has the ambition to improve cyber security through advanced approaches applications in both software and hardware development and assessment.
Both of these calls are open until Wednesday 20th November 2024, 6pm Finnish time.
European Defence Fund
The European Commission also has funding opportunities for SMEs through the European Defence Fund.
There is currently an open call that is focused on the need to meet the growing demand for integrated electronic components (i.e. semiconductors) and reduce the reliance on military exports. There is also a renewed push for innovation defence research, possibly by adapting technologies from civil applications or addressing hybrid warfare.
The deadline for all current calls relating to the European Defence Fund is Tuesday 5th November.