EUDIS Defence Hackathon is a European Commission-driven initiative that brings together young innovators to develop practical responses to challenges in defence, cybersecurity and resilience. Financed through the European Defence Fund, the programme supports collaboration across Europe and contributes to strengthening European defence capabilities and technological sovereignty.

The hackathons invite students and early-career professionals to work in teams on real-world challenges, drawing on expertise from defence industry specialists, mentors and other participants. Activities include hands-on events, expert-led workshops, pre-hackathon webinars and structured mentorship. Participants receive guidance to refine their ideas, build technical and teamwork skills, connect with industry professionals, and explore career opportunities in the defence sector. The programme also aims to help promising projects progress towards solutions with lasting potential.

The Autumn 2026 edition is scheduled for 15–17 October under the theme “Autonomy on the Battlefield,” with local organisers in eight countries: Austria, Cyprus, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Portugal and Sweden. EUDIS offers participants a platform to showcase ideas, collaborate internationally and contribute to Europe’s evolving security needs.