Open call for cascade grants of NEBA Alliance

Opened

Code: 35952 | Identifier Code: NEBA Alliance | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 28/02/2025 | End submission calls: 05/05/2025

The NEBA Alliance is a project consortium funded by the European Commission. The goal of the Alliance is to codesign the foundation of a long-lasting European network of NEB Academy Hubs, which can reach workers and stakeholders across all EU countries and offer meaningful trainings and knowledge transfer and form the NEB Academy. NEB Academy’s long-term mission is to train, upskill, and reskill the construction ecosystem to achieve a carbon neutral building sectorand a beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive transformation of the built environment.

Full-size demonstrators for next generation soldier systems

Opened

Code: 35949 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-DA-PROTMOB-SS | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

This call topic aims to develop the next-generation dismounted soldier system (NGDSS), finding synergies with existing topical EDF projects’ concepts and developments through an updated open-source architecture, as well as NATO efforts and the development of individual and networking capabilities.

Future modular multifunctional land platforms and enabling technologies, including green technologies

Opened

Code: 35947 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-DA-GROUND-FM2LP | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

This topic aims to further develop the technologies required to enhance the performance and effectiveness of armoured land platform systems in high-intensity operations, making them more capable, modular, multifunctional and energy efficient by maximising synergies, standardisation and interoperability of armoured land vehicle families.

Collaborative air combat

Opened

Code: 35945 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-DA-AIR-CAC | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

Today’s EU Member States’ and EDF Associated Countries’ air forces are built on a wide variety of heterogeneous systems. This diversity poses the challenge of interoperability at functional, software and hardware levels. With the plausible introduction of unmanned systems into air combat, future interoperability require much deeper networking, which could be provided by a new generation of tactical data links.

The overall objective is to jointly develop an EU perspective to enable EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries to harmonise, standardise and share processes and tools to efficiently operate, in the medium to long term, joint air combat capabilities combining future air combat systems, manned or unmanned platforms, legacy platforms and their evolution, including sensors and effectors.

Drone-based affordable mass munitions

Opened

Code: 35943 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-DA-SI-GROUND-DAMM | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

As it is related to EUDIS, and in addition to the development activities, this call topic aims to support innovation opportunities and enable small companies to demonstrate innovative technologies relevant to drone-based affordable mass munitions and receive limited acceleration support. To achieve this objective, financial support to third parties (FSTP, i.e., cascade funding) is included as a mandatory part of the grant. This should increase the opportunities for various smaller actors, including those not previously active in the defence sector, to adapt innovative technologies for drone-based affordable mass munitions and to identify potential business opportunities in the defence sector.

Privacy-preserving human-AI dialogue systems – Participation in a technological challenge

Opened

Code: 35941 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-HAIDP-STEP | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

The fast progress of generative artificial intelligence (AI), large language models and dialogue systems (chatbots) paves the way towards high impact defence applications in various domains such as intelligence, strategic planning, tactical operations, and life-cycle support. However, these technologies are still prone to errors, leading them in particular to present false or misleading information as fact (hallucinations). They should also be adapted to defence-specific needs. There is therefore a need for further research to develop high-performance human-AI dialogue systems for defence.

Privacy-preserving human-AI dialogue systems – Organisation of a technological challenge

Opened

Code: 35939 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-HAIDO | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

Human-AI dialogue systems offer impressive results but are still prone to errors of various types. Moreover, there is no established metric to measure system performances. In order to ensure trustworthiness and steer progress, these systems should be submitted to common tests using shared data and clear metrics and protocols.

The goal of this call topic is thus to set up a testing environment and organise a technological challenge to evaluate the performances of such systems for defence use cases, including their abilities to manage classified information and to justify their answers. The challenge should be open to research teams supported through another call topic (EDF-2025-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-HAIDP) and possibly by other sources of funding. Representative defence users should be involved to contribute to the definition of the use cases and associated data, to test the demonstrators produced by the participating teams, and to provide feedback.

Non-thematic development actions by SMEs

Opened

Code: 35937 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-LS-DA-SME-NT | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

This call topic encourages the driving role of innovative SMEs to turn technology and research results into defence products in a fast and cost-efficient way, possibly by adapting technologies from civil applications or addressing hybrid warfare.

CoARA Boost second cascade funding call

Opened

Code: 35934 | Identifier Code: CoARA Boost | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 21/02/2025 | End submission calls: 21/04/2025

CoARA Boost’s second cascade funding call facilitates institutional change and targets pilot and exchange-of-knowledge initiatives. It will fund +20 projects facilitating knowledge-exchange, piloting new initiatives within institutions, and enabling lasting institutional change. As such, it encourages and supports research organisations to investigate and test what will efficiently work ‘in real life’.

More specifically, the call aims to:

• Facilitate the exchange, transfer and adaptation of proven good practices and their adoption in research organisations.
• Catalyse the set-up or transformation of research assessment practices and tools in line with the commitments of the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment.
• Support the development and testing of new and innovative research assessment approaches, models and procedures.

Support to the EDF National Focal Points (NFP) network

Opened

Code: 35932 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-CSA-NFP | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

The National Focal Points for the EDF (EDF-NFPs) consists of a network of individuals nominated by EU Member States and EDF Associated countries that are supported by national structures established under the responsibility and control of the EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries. The NFPs form an essential part of the EDF implementation by providing practical information, advice, training, and other forms of assistance to stakeholders on all aspects of participation in the EDF. This action aims at facilitating trans-national cooperation between EDF NFPs with a view to identifying and sharing good practices and raising the general standard of support to (potential) programme applicants, taking into account the diversity of actors that could benefit from the programme and thus contribute to strengthening the EDTIB.

Stand-off anti-submarine warfare engagement

Opened

Code: 35930 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-RA-UWW-SOASW | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

It is essential for the survivability of a surface warship to be able to engage and neutralise an adversary submarine outside its effective weapon range when the mission dictates that evasion is not possible. The engagement capability must consequently be available at any time and within short notice, even outside of the deck cycles of the organic aircraft or availability of non-organic aircraft.

Specific objective: Market available rocket-launched torpedoes like the VL ASROC or MILAS are being launched from the Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) or upper deck surface-to-surface missile (SSM) containers, therefore consuming the very limited space and weight that could otherwise be used for air defence missiles or strike capabilities, increasingly required for present and future Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) threat environment, to achieve the Surface Warfare mission.
Current developments in the field of torpedo technology aim at developing very-lightweight torpedoes (VLWT) and ultra-lightweight torpedoes (ULWT). However, these new developments pose new challenges because of a reduced underwater effective range and the simultaneous requirement for extended range for transfer from the launching unit to the target area and with greater precision, delivering the effector at shorter range from its target, by suitable means to be determined. The surface warship requires an optimisation of its UW sensor suite for the prerequisite long-range detection and classification of targets with higher accuracy and update rates, which must be addressed before these new stand-off capabilities can develop their full potential.
Future multi-domain mission profiles require enhanced firepower distributed on board smaller size surface combatants, demanding for new and more flexible approach that delivers solutions able to be integrated in a multi-mission or multi- weapons bay, where both offboard and onboard sensors and effectors, can be loaded and integrated in a mission tailored configuration.
The aim of this activity is the identification of feasible common effector components, like V/ULW torpedoes or depth charges, which can be deployed by systems, which are usable for other purposes or in other warfare areas or even other warfare domains as well, like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/ Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) for reconnaissance and surveillance, affordable precision strike capability, or deploying sensors like sonobuoys, in a configuration similar to the multiple launch rocket system. This approach may allow greater degree of flexibility for the procurement of systems and as well reduce individual integration, certification and storage footprints thus increasing their viability for navies of EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.

Technologies for counter-battery capabilities

Opened

Code: 35928 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-RA-GROUND-CBC | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

Given that artillery is still responsible for the vast majority of losses suffered by armies facing each other on the battlefield, this call topic aims to explore and mature the technologies required to destroy or neutralise all enemies’ artillery potential, thereby ensuring the survival of own forces and safeguarding their operational capacity.

Multi-Disciplinary design and Analysis Framework for Aerial Systems

Opened

Code: 35926 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-RA-SIMTRAIN-DAFAS | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

A key objective of this call topic is to explore the benefits of applying DT technologies across the entire lifecycle of military systems, from design and development to operation and maintenance. This includes investigating how DTs can improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and interoperability of systems throughout their lifespan.

Chiplet for Defence Application

Opened

Code: 35923 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-RA-MATCOMP-CDA-STEP | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

The objective is to explore the possibilities the chiplet technology in combination with heterogeneous packaging can add to systems used for defence applications. Combining e.g., chiplets made in different technologies (GaN, GaAs, Si etc) and with analogue, mixed analogue/digital and digital functions may lead to new capabilities in processing power and still achieve a reasonable cost level and power consumption. New and/or improved devices can be made by exploring chiplet technology in various fields of defence applications such as, but not limited to: radar systems, Electronic Warfare systems, communication systems, munition applications, signal processing applications.
This call topic contributes to the STEP objectives, as defined in STEP Regulation, in the target investment area of deep and digital technologies.

Autonomous triage and evacuation

Opened

Code: 35921 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-RA-MCBRN-ATE | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) between peer adversaries can result in mass casualty scenarios where the need for casualty care and evacuation dramatically outstrips available medical resources. Unmanned air, ground and sea vehicles could significantly improve evacuation capacity and enable rapid automated or fully autonomous battlefield triage, also under Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) conditions and in high intensity fighting areas, resulting in faster and more efficient care, increasing life and limb saving opportunities in the early stages of the evacuation chain. This call topic addresses the urgent need to develop and validate innovative Robotic and Autonomous System (RAS), i.e., autonomous and robotic-assisted capabilities that address the specific challenges of military battlefield triage and evacuation in mass casualty scenarios, including CBRN contamination and ongoing high intensity fighting spots with limited or no access of first responders.

Multifunctional Information Distribution System

Opened

Code: 35919 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-RA-C4ISR-MIDS-STEP | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

The Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) is an indispensable C4ISR capability to facilitate international conflict prevention and crisis management in all phases of operations. EU Member States (MS) and EDF Associated Countries have already used various types of MIDS in recent operations to provide tactical Link interoperability between their major platforms (e.g., fighters, frigates, etc.).

The specific objective of this topic is to design, develop and build a demonstrator of a radiocommunication system that provides this critical defence capability to respond to future security challenges.

Propulsion system for next generation rotorcrafts

Opened

Code: 35916 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-RA-ENERENV-PSR | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

The general objective of this call is to develop and mature the technologies required for a new state-of-the-art, breakthrough, affordable, efficient, and high-power (above 3000 shp / 2.237 kW) engine for future generation of EU military rotorcraft systems.

The objective of this research topic, is to better understand and analyse the future needs EU Members States and EDF Associated Countries and the transition to future rotorcraft features, concepts, and capabilities, and to derive specific design parameters for next generation propulsion systems. Conception and pre-design of an alternative propulsion system for rotorcraft platforms must be performed.

Live, Virtual, Constructive training interoperability – Joint operations and service-specific solutions

Opened

Code: 35914 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-RA-SIMTRAIN-LVC-STEP | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

Live training is paramount to conduct realistic multi-domain operations (MDO) training in a multi-national context. Creating a realistic joint training environment is however challenging due to aspects such as limitations in access to training areas, the number of available real assets and the need to protect information regarding tactics and system capabilities.

Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) technology has a clear potential to be important to perform cost-efficient Multi Domain training by alleviating some of the above limitations. An integrated blend of real platforms (Live), simulators (Virtual) and computer-generated players and targets (Constructive) is developing rapidly. Various recent technologies such as modern communication systems, security solutions and eXtended Reality (XR) also show potential for further enhancing Live as well as Virtual solutions, facilitating flexible use of LVC for training participants. Using LVC in Multi Domain Education and Training reduces operational risks and enhances decision support.
A major challenge is to design and evaluate LVC-training to ascertain training value to both Live and Virtual participants.

Non-thematic research actions targeting disruptive technologies for defence

Opened

Code: 35910 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-LS-RA-DIS-NT | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

The specific challenge is to lay the foundations for radically new future technologies of any kind with unexpected impact that aims to bring radical technological superiority over potential adversaries. This topic also encourages the driving role of new actors in defence research and innovation, including excellent researchers, ambitious high-tech SMEs and visionary research centres of big companies, universities or research and technology organisations.

Great-depth enabling technologies

Opened

Code: 35908 | Identifier Code: EDF-2025-LS-RA-DIS-GDET | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 18/02/2025 | End submission calls: 16/10/2025

Due to a growing number of sabotage acts on critical underwater infrastructure, SBW has gained a very high level of interest for many EU navies. It is therefore necessary to be able to counter the various threat types operating in deep waters up to 6000m in depth. An extensive and precise research activity, focused on “great-depth enabling technologies”, could represent an important intermediate step towards an optimised and more efficient future SBW. The results of the research activity could facilitate and speed up the design of new systems specifically conceived and optimised for the operation in the new operational scenarios. At the same time, these new great-depth technologies could facilitate the adaptation of current systems to new operational requirements.
Therefore the aim is to progress in undersea operations (e.g., SBW) in deep waters up to a depth of 6000m, with a concept phase to study and evaluate technologies suitable for platforms and payloads to allow unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), detection systems, warning systems, communication systems, and weapon systems to perform deep water undersea missions (e.g., SBW missions), or even to be applied on fixed elements such as monitoring systems.