The Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) has officially launched an open call for local organisers for the third edition of the EUDIS Hackathon, set to take place from 17 to 19 October 2025
The search hopes to find eight host organisations from across the European Union and Noway, creating an opportunity to contribute to advancing cutting-edge innovations in space and defence technologies.
Creating a collaborative workforce
As past editions have been successful, the EUDIS Hackathon will continue to serve as a platform for collaboration between experts, entrepreneurs, and students.
The 2025 edition aims to stimulate the development of new solutions in critical areas of European space and defence strategy under the central theme: “Technologies for Space and Defence.”
This year’s hackathon will centre on three core challenge areas, each addressing important needs within the space and defence landscape:
- Protection of Space Assets – Participants will focus on identifying and addressing threats in space, with tasks involving threat detection, analysis, and response strategies to safeguard satellites and other essential space infrastructure.
- Space for Defence – This area highlights the crucial role of Earth observation, navigation, and communication technologies in military operations. Teams will explore how these capabilities can enhance the coordination and efficiency of multi-domain defence efforts.
- Sovereign Aerospace – Innovators will delve into topics such as uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), including their development, management, and countermeasure strategies, all aimed at ensuring autonomous and secure European aerospace capabilities.
Local organisations as a focus point
Selected local organisers will be at the forefront of shaping this collaborative experience, providing a physical space and supportive environment where multidisciplinary teams can engage, prototype, and test new ideas.
These organisers will not only gain visibility within the European innovation ecosystem but also play a key role in fostering local talent and building long-term partnerships in the field of space and defence.
To support potential organisers, an informational webinar will be held on 3 June, offering insights into the application process, key themes, event logistics, and the benefits of participation. Interested communities are encouraged to register early to learn about the opportunities to contribute to this vital initiative.
Getting involved in the EUDIS Hackathon
Applications are currently open and will be accepted until 22 June. Only submissions received by this deadline will be considered for selection.
Local hosts will be chosen based on criteria such as their experience in event coordination, access to facilities, engagement with local innovation communities, and alignment with the mission of the EUDIS Hackathon.
The EUDIS Hackathon is not only a showcase for high-tech problem-solving but also a catalyst for sustainable innovation in sectors critical to European security and autonomy. By bringing together diverse talents and perspectives, the event promises to deliver forward-thinking solutions that can shape the future of European space and defence technologies.
![Figure 1: Sketch of the evolution of the Universe over the last 13.77 billion years. It started with the Big Bang, followed by an extremely short period of rapid exponential expansion. The furthest we can see is the cosmic microwave background, when radiation decoupled from matter, approximately 380,000 years after the Big Bang. This is followed by the ‘dark ages,’ during which this radiation redshifted from the visible regime into infrared and sub-mm wavelengths. The occurrence of the first stars, about 400 million years after the Big Bang, ended this phase, spearheading the formation of galaxies as we see them today. [Credit: NASA/WMAP Science Team, public domain]](https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Fig-1_1200-100x70.jpg "How did the first stars form in space?")
