Statement on a Dual-Use Project

The Ministry of Defence is involved in EU fund support programs, assessing the dual-use nature of civil and military applications in order to develop innovative product research and manufacturing.

1. Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) Business Incubator

European Union Cohesion Policy Program 2021-2027 1.2.3. specific support objective "Promote sustainable growth, competitiveness and job creation in SMEs, including through productive investments" measure 1.2.3.1. "Support for the development of innovative entrepreneurship in SMEs".

LIAA business incubators provide support for the start-up and development of innovative entrepreneurship to individuals and newly established commercial companies

The aim of the measure is to ensure the availability of financing for the implementation of business ideas and the development of entrepreneurship in Latvia, promoting activities that are aimed at increasing the share of innovative businesses in the economy and promoting entrepreneurship, which is focused on creating high added value in the medium-high and high-tech sectors and in the creative industries, and promotes export growth in supported companies, thereby contributing to the achievement of the objectives of Latvia's Smart Specialization Strategy. Support is intended for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as associations. Support will be active until 2027.

Detailed information is available at:

 

2. The European Union’s Cohesion Policy Programme for 2021–2027, Specific Objective 1.1.1: "Strengthening research and innovation capacity and introducing advanced technologies into the overall R&D system’" Measure 1.1.1.3: "Practice-oriented research".

A new support programme for dual-use products is now open for applications.  The Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFLA)’s support measure 1.1.1.3. “Practical Research”, Round 2, has opened for the selection of EU-funded projects, with the aim of supporting scientific institutions in carrying out practical research with the potential to generate new technologies, products or solutions. The programme provides funding to scientific institutions to carry out applied research with high commercialisation potential, ensuring an open project selection process and clearly defined evaluation criteria. The aim of the programme is to promote the development of innovation by providing funding for research that can yield practical, marketable results and to strengthen cooperation between the Latvian scientific community and the business sector.

Key elements of the support mechanism:

  • Beneficiaries: scientific institutions
  • Selection method: open call for proposals
  • Submission deadline: 30 March 2026 – 30 June 2026
  • Evaluation period: 1 July 2026 – 30 September 2026
  • Focus: practically applicable research with commercialisation potential

Further information and the application process: https://www.cfla.gov.lv/lv/1-1-1-3-k-2

Contact persons:

3. Support from the Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFLA) for the development and internationalization of new products

European Union Cohesion Policy Program for 2021–2027 1.2.1. specific support objective "Strengthening research and innovation capacity and introducing advanced technologies in enterprises" 1.2.1.1. measure "Support for the development and internationalization of new products," second call for the third round.

The aim of the measure is to invest in the development of new dual-use products and technologies in the field of defence and security. Support can be used for the development of new products, services, and technologies: industrial research, experimental development, and technical and economic feasibility studies. It is intended for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, small and medium-sized capitalization companies, as well as large economic operators involving SMEs. Support is available until 2027.

Detailed information is available at:

4. Altum measure “Productivity loans for business innovation”

European Union Cohesion Policy Program for 2021–2027 1.2.1. specific support objective "Strengthening research and innovation capacity and introducing advanced technologies in enterprises" measure 1.2.1.2. "Productivity loans for business innovation".

The aim of the measure is to ensure the availability of financing for the development of final beneficiaries in Latvia by providing support for the development of innovative (including dual-use) products, stimulating private sector investment in research, development and innovation, which includes support for the construction of new buildings, including production buildings, the purchase of equipment and the establishment of production connections, as well as the creation of new jobs in the areas of the smart specialisation strategy (RIS3). Support is intended for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and small and medium-sized capitalization companies. Support will be active until 2027.

Detailed information is available at:

Considering the intensity and funding amount of the support program "Productivity Loans for Business Innovation," Altum will stop accepting loan applications on March 2, 2026. Accordingly, applications can be submitted on the portal mans.altum.lv until March 1, 2026 (included). During the application evaluation process, if necessary, it will be possible to clarify or supplement the submitted documents in accordance with the instructions of Altum (more information here: https://www.em.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/ar-2026-gada-2-martu-tiek-aptureta-jaunu-pieteikumu-pienemsana-produktivitates-aizdevumu-programma)

Due to all the above, we invite you to start the necessary steps for registration of your application in a timely manner. If you have any questions, please contact the representatives of the relevant institution:

5. Support for investment projects aimed at developing the manufacture of military and dual-use products

On 3 August 2026, the Ministry of Economics announced an open call for project proposals under the support programme in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 48 of 3 February 2026, "Regulations on Support for Projects to Improve Industrial Capabilities".

The aim of the support programme is to promote the improvement of industrial capabilities and the production of military and dual-use products, including the construction of new factories, as well as the development of the infrastructure necessary for production. Further information is available here: https://www.em.gov.lv/lv/sam-151-pasakums-rupniecisko-speju-uzlabosana-…

Funding will be available in the form of a loan with a capital discount and a guarantee with a capital discount.

The support is intended for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as small and medium-capitalisation enterprises, for the implementation of projects involving military or dual-use products.

The selection of project applications is scheduled to take place from 3 August 2026 to 2 October 2026.

To be eligible for support:

  • The applicant/final beneficiary must submit an application titled "Description of a military or dual-use manufacturing project" (in the Annex and here) to the Ministry of Defence for an opinion.
  • Once the Ministry of Defence’s opinion has been received, the applications will be assessed by a commission set up by the Ministry of Economics, which will rank them in order of priority and issue a decision, which will be sent to the final beneficiary;
  • Within two months of the commission’s positive decision, the final beneficiary must submit an application to the public limited company “Development Finance Institution Altum” specifying the type of support;
  • The public limited company “Development Finance Institution Altum” will grant the support once a decision has been taken on the award of a loan with a capital discount, a parallel loan with a capital discount or a guarantee with a capital discount.

Additional information available here.

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