In addition to the removal of regulatory barriers, many companies in the UAS and AAM industry are primarily seeking monetary support and unbureaucratic financing measures from the public sector. And even though government support in Europe is certainly not yet as extensive as in other parts of the world, there are a number of funding sources at the EU level that can also benefit the drone economy.
These are not always programs explicitly focused on or named after unmanned aviation. But of course, funds for digitalization, sustainable mobility, or organic farming can also be designed in such a way that drone projects meet the funding criteria.
The European Commission's website features a page with general information on unmanned aircraft, which also includes a regularly updated overview of a wide range of funding instruments. This overview covers a broad spectrum of options, from grants and guarantees to equity investments, and makes it easier to find potentially suitable financing options. These include the European Innovation Council Work Program 2025 (October 1, 2025) and the European Defense Fund Work Program 2025 (October 16, 2025), for which the application deadline ends in the coming weeks.
Click here for the overview page:
https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/air/aviation-safety/unmanned-aircraft-drones_en