Non-thematic development actions by SMEs

Closed

The source does not publish a status. We worked this out from the opening and closing dates it does publish.

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Scope:
The proposals must address innovative defence products, solutions and technologies, including those that can improve readiness, deployability, reliability, safety and sustainability of forces in defence tasks and missions, for example in terms of operations, equipment, infrastructure, energy solutions, surveillance systems or digital solutions.
Proposals must address disruptive knowledge, products and technologies in any area of defence interest([1]) from TRL 4 and above([1]).
In addition, to best complement R&D efforts that already target civil applications and encourage the efficient spinning-in of knowledge, innovation and technological development to the defence sector, this call topic also welcomes proposals for add-on development actions to adapt solutions originally developed for civil applications and previously not applied in the defence sector.
Management mode: Action implemented in indirect management by the European Defence Agency.
Form of funding: Contribution Agreement.
Entrusted tasks:
Implementation of lump sum grants, as decided by the Commission at the time of the awards following the competitive call EDF-2026-LS-DA-SME-NT.
Targeted types of activities: Any activities eligible for a development action. However, the proposals must address at least one activity among design, system prototyping, testing, qualification, certification and increasing efficiency.
Indicative budget: EUR 30 000 000 to support this topic and EUR 1 050 000 for the remuneration of the entrusted entity.
Range of financial contribution of the EU per proposal: The requested funding cannot exceed EUR 6 000 000.
[1]
[2]

Status

Closed

Deadline

29 September 2026 (time not stated)

Opens

11 February 2026

Published

22 January 2026

Total budget

€30,000,000

Country

European Union (EU-wide)

Programme

European Defence Fund (EDF)

Funder

European Commission

Official page

Open at the source portal

What applying involved

12 steps, all of them taken from this call's own documents.

This call is closed. The steps below show what applying involved, and are kept for reference only.

Understand the call

• Read the call on the source portal and download its documents
• Write the proposal against the award criteria and thresholds standard for this programme

  described in section 9 of the call document — conditions §5b

• Check the grant's legal and financial set-up standard for this programme

  described in section 10 of the call document . Call document and annexes: Call document Application form templates Standard application form (EDF) — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Detailed budget table (EDF LS DA) Participant information (EDF) List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources (EDF) Cofinancing declaration (EDF DA, DA LS AND ASAP) Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (EDF) Harmonised capability … — conditions §6

• Check the amount you plan to request against the call's range

Check you are eligible

• Confirm your technology readiness level against the range the call states
• Check every partner is established in an eligible country standard for this programme

  described in section 6 of the call document — conditions §2

• Meet the call's other eligibility conditions standard for this programme

  described in section 6 of the call document — conditions §3

• Be able to show financial and operational capacity standard for this programme

  described in section 7 of the call document — conditions §4

Prepare the documents

• Prepare Part B of the Application Form standard for this programme

  Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. — conditions

• Complete the detailed budget table standard for this programme

Submit

• Check the submission and evaluation process

  described section 8 of the call document and the Online Manual — conditions §5a

• Submit before the closing date shown above

  The source states the closing day but no closing time — check the portal before the last day. — calls.deadline

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