Non-thematic research actions by SMEs and research organisations

Closed

Status as published by the data source.

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Expected Impact:
• Innovative and cost-effective solutions for defence applications.
• Ground-breaking or novel concepts and approaches, new promising future technological improvements or the application of technologies or concepts previously not applied in the defence sector.
• Enhanced innovation capacity across Europe by involvement of SMEs that can make a difference in the future.
• Potential for future market creation for SMEs, especially by facilitating access of SMEs to defence markets and supply chains.
• Contribution to the development of European research and technology ecosystems and to the strengthening of European defence supply chains. Objective:This call topic encourages the driving role of innovative SMEs and Research Organisations (RO) in bringing forward innovation defence research, possibly by adapting technologies from civil applications or addressing hybrid warfare.
Successful SME beneficiaries will be offered Business Coaching, to reduce the time of bringing the results to the next phase, e.g., development
Scope:The proposals must address innovative technologies and solutions for defence, 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.
The proposals may address any area of interest for defence, such as, but not limited to, the following ones:

• blockchain applications (e.g. for identification of friend or foe);
• tools and applications improving cybersecurity talents screening;
• artificial intelligence and robotic autonomous systems;
• future naval platform control and management;
• smart damage control related to future naval platforms;
• ship signature management;
• secure and reliable underwater communication solutions and interfaces (radiofrequency, acoustic, optic or others);
• measurement and monitoring of physiological and cognitive state of soldiers;
• solutions for mechanical and “green” chemical recycling of waste of soldier individual equipment (uniforms, helmets, boots, rucksacks, plastic elements, harness, etc.);
• concepts and corresponding technologies to ensure a safe water reuse throughout the entire water cycle of a deployable camp or a deployed combat group;
• synthetic fuel production from waste and biomass for military use. Types of activities
The following table lists the types of activities which are eligible for this topic (see Article 10(3) EDF Regulation):
Types of activities
(art 10(3) EDF Regulation)
Eligible?
(a)
Activities that aim to create, underpin and improve knowledge, products and technologies, including disruptive technologies, which can achieve significant effects in the area of defence (generating knowledge)
Yes
(b)
Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience, including secured production and exchange of data, to master critical defence technologies, to strengthen the security of supply or to enable the effective exploitation of results for defence products and technologies (integrating knowledge)
Yes
(c)
Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or upgraded products, technologies, processes, services and solutions
Yes
(d)
Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology as well as the definition of the technical specifications on which such a design has been developed, including any partial test for risk reduction in an industrial or representative environment
Yes
(e)
System prototyping of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
No
(f)
Testing of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
No
(g)
Qualification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
No
(h)
Certification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
No
(i)
Development of technologies or assets increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defence products and technologies
No
The proposals must not cover studies only.
The proposals must describe a clear work breakdown structure and link the proposed tasks to eligible activities.
The proposals should include clear descriptions of the proposed criteria to assess work package completion.
Functional requirements
This call topic is open to any technological research for defence. The proposals should describe the targeted functionalities and the foreseen means to measure progress toward the achievements of these functionalities.

Status

Closed

Deadline

22 November 2023 (time not stated)

Opens

21 June 2023

Published

12 April 2023

Country

European Union (EU-wide)

Programme

European Defence Fund (EDF)

Official page

Open at the source portal

Other calls under European Defence Fund (EDF)

• Key electronic componentsOpen · deadline 16 February 2027 · European Union (EU-wide)
• Platforms and end-productsOpen · deadline 16 February 2027 · European Union (EU-wide)
• Air and missile defence systemsOpen · deadline 16 February 2027 · European Union (EU-wide)
• C5ISR and other space-related productsOpen · deadline 16 February 2027 · European Union (EU-wide)
• Unmanned systems and counter-unmanned systemsOpen · deadline 16 February 2027 · European Union (EU-wide) · €80,000,000
• Ground and naval platforms and systemsOpen · deadline 16 February 2027 · European Union (EU-wide)
• Support for the functioning of SEAPs, including for the purpose of establishing, managing and maintaining defence industrial readiness poolsForthcoming · deadline 13 October 2026 · European Union (EU-wide) · €10,000,000
• Missiles, ammunition and bombsOpen · deadline 13 October 2026 · European Union (EU-wide) · €180,000,000

All calls under this programme

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