Development and validation of models predicting flow-related underwater noise

European Defence Fund research action EDF-2026-RA funds development and validation of numerical and experimental models to predict flow-related underwater noise affecting underwater platforms and sonar performance, with an indicative topic budget of €10,000,000 and funding at 100% of eligible costs. The call is single-stage with a submission deadline of 29 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time, and proposals must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Multi-beneficiary consortia are mandatory, typically requiring at least three legal entities from different EU Member States or EDF-associated countries, and activities must include buoyant-body experimental campaigns, CFD–acoustics model development, validation against high-quality datasets and translation of noise predictions into sonar performance metrics. The grant follows actual cost rules (equipment eligible as depreciation), allows subcontracting and limited financial support to third parties under ceilings, and includes standard EDF security, reporting and IPR conditions.

What it funds

Scope summary

Research action to develop and validate advanced models (numerical and experimental) for flow-related underwater noise, generate high-quality verification data (including buoyant-body experiments), and deliver tools to predict sonar performance and radiated noise from underwater platforms. Activities cover generating knowledge, studies, model design and validation; prototyping, testing and certification are out of scope for this topic. ¹

Indicative budget:€10 000 000 allocated to this topic under the EDF-2026-RA call; the call may fund one proposal (more only if quality and budget allow).

1. 1Who can apply: legal entities (public or private bodies) established in EDF eligible countries; projects are multi-beneficiary and must meet consortium rules in the call document.
2. 2Eligible activities: research, studies, design and model validation; financial support to third parties is allowed within the call limits.
3. 3Security and eligibility: EDF-specific rules on ownership, facility/personnel clearances and classified information apply where relevant (see call documents).

Funding form and rate:EDF research actions implemented via actual cost grants; research actions are reimbursed at 100% of eligible costs. Project applicants must follow the application templates and submission rules on the Funding & Tenders Portal Funding & Tenders Portal. ¹

How to apply:Prepare a full proposal using the EDF application templates (Part A on the Portal and Part B PDF upload), assemble required annexes (detailed budget, participant info, ownership/PRS/indirect cost declarations where relevant) and submit via the Portal by the deadline. Contact DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu for call support.

1. 1Prepare consortium that meets EDF eligibility (see call document section 6).
2. 2Use the Standard application form (EDF) and Detailed budget table provided in the Submission System.
3. 3Ensure compliance with security, ethics and ownership/control requirements in Annexes and the Model Grant Agreement.

Applicants should consult the Call document, Model Grant Agreement and Guidance (EDF) for detailed eligibility, budget rules (equipment depreciation, indirect costs, subcontracting limits), evaluation criteria, and security/sensitive information handling. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Full topic text, call document and submission details available on the Funding & Tenders Portal: EDF-2026-RA-UWW-FUWN Topic page.

Programme:European Defence Fund (EDF) — Research actions implemented via actual cost grants (EDF-2026-RA). Type of action: EDF-RA EDF Research Actions. Model Grant Agreement: EDF Action Grant Budget-Based [EDF-AG]. Opening date: 11 February 2026. Deadline: 29 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Deadline model: single-stage. Indicative topic budget: €10,000,000. Indicative number of grants: 1 (more may be funded subject to quality and budget availability). Funding rate: 100% for Research Actions. Equipment costs: depreciation only. Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP): allowed within the set ceiling. Submission: via EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Official topic page and documents:EDF-2026-RA on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, with the Call document, application templates, detailed budget tables, participant information template, ownership control templates, and the EDF Model Grant Agreement available in the Conditions and documents section EDF-2026-RA-UWW-FUWN.

Topic scope and objectives

This Research Action aims to develop and validate advanced models for predicting flow-related underwater noise affecting underwater platforms (including uncrewed underwater systems and manned underwater vehicles) and their embarked sonars. The action targets both self-noise (e.g., flush-mounted/integrated hydrophones) and radiated noise, with high-quality verification datasets to support model validation. Outcomes will support optimal design of underwater platforms, placement and design of sonars, and simulation of platform radiated noise. Proposals must use a buoyant body experiment to generate controlled datasets and investigate fundamental physical processes; develop advanced numerical models (CFD plus acoustic simulations) in the parameter ranges relevant for silent underwater platforms; and create tools to predict sonar performance under flow-induced noise, including effects on detection and classification. Proposals must also assess the impact of platform design and operational parameters (hull form, propulsion, manoeuvring) on flow-noise signatures.

Types of activities (Article 10(3) EDF Regulation)

• Generating knowledge (mandatory): Experimental data generation via buoyant body experiments for self-noise and radiated-noise studies; creation of high-quality reference datasets; advances in understanding of underlying flow-noise physical mechanisms.
• Integrating knowledge (mandatory): Development of advanced numerical models coupling CFD and acoustics; integration of experimental and numerical work for validation and accuracy improvement.
• Studies (mandatory): Planning and conducting of buoyant body experiments; benchmarking and verification of existing tools; identification of limitations and required improvements; development of improved modelling methods as needed.
• Design (optional): Development of user-friendly software tools and methods for noise prediction and sonar performance simulation in the presence of flow-related noise.

Functional and technical requirements

• Ability to simulate different platform types: UUS, manned underwater vehicles, submarines and surface ships.
• Environmental modelling capability: depth, temperature, salinity and other relevant oceanographic parameters.
• Predict sonar performance degradation (detection/classification) under flow noise, and quantify the impact of platform design and operations (hull shape, propulsion, manoeuvres).
• Produce high-quality verification datasets suitable for model validation and sonar performance simulation.
• Provide user-oriented software tools enabling prediction workflows and performance analysis.

Mandatory work content

• Buoyant body experimental campaign: Generate controlled datasets for self-noise in flush-mounted and integrated hydrophones and for radiated noise measured by sonars.
• Reference datasets: Establish verified benchmarks for flow-related radiated noise prediction.
• Numerical model development: Implement validated CFD-acoustics approaches fit for silent platform regimes; integrate experimental data for model calibration and validation.
• Toolchain for sonar performance: Methods to translate flow-noise predictions into performance impacts (e.g., SNR loss, probability of detection/classification).
• Impact analyses: Quantify how hull geometry, propulsion choices and manoeuvres affect noise.

Who should apply: eligible applicants and roles

Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory. Typical consortia include a balanced mix of defence industry primes and naval suppliers, specialised SMEs, universities, research and technology organisations (RTOs), hydroacoustics laboratories, CFD/acoustics software developers, test facilities and sonar OEMs. Governmental defence research centres and naval end-users may participate according to EDF eligibility rules. Subcontractors cannot lead work packages. Associated partners may contribute but cannot lead work packages and cannot claim costs under the grant.

Consortium composition and eligibility (EDF rules)

• Consortium requirement: multi-beneficiary applications are obligatory for this topic (specific conditions in section 6 of the Call document). Common EDF rule requires at least three eligible entities from at least three different EU Member States and/or associated countries (currently Norway), unless the topic specifies otherwise.
• Geographic eligibility: Beneficiaries, affiliated entities and subcontractors involved in the action must be established in the EU or an EDF associated country and have their executive management structure in these countries for the duration of the action. Entities established outside these countries may participate only as associated partners under strict conditions and without EDF funding, subject to safeguards and approvals.
• Ownership and control: Entities controlled by non-associated third countries may under certain conditions participate with guarantees approved by the competent national authority, using the Ownership Control Declaration and, where needed, the Ownership Control Guarantee templates.
• Classified information: Personnel, facilities and CIS handling EUCI must comply with the EDF Programme Security Instruction and the security framework set for the action.

Budget, funding, timing

Admissibility, evaluation and legal-financial setup

• Admissibility: Proposal page limits and layout are set in section 5 of the Call document and Part B template in the Submission System.
• Eligibility conditions and country eligibility: section 6 of the Call document; multi-beneficiary mandatory for this topic.
• Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: section 7 of the Call document.
• Submission and evaluation: section 8 of the Call document and the Online Manual; award criteria, scoring and thresholds in section 9.
• Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: section 4 of the Call document.
• Legal and financial set-up: section 10 of the Call document; EDF, ASAP and EDIRPA Model Grant Agreement applies, including rules for cost eligibility, reporting, payments, checks, audits, security and ethics.

Application package and templates

• Standard application form (EDF) — generated via the Portal Submission System (Part A online, Part B narrative).
• Part B technical description must be uploaded as a single password-protected ZIP archive (AES-256), together with annexes.
• Detailed budget table (EDF RA).
• Participant information template: legal, operational capacity, key staff, relevant projects, affiliated entities/associated partners, justification and safeguards if needed.
• List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources: precise locations; declarations if outside eligible countries; facility security clearance status.
• Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (if opting for actual indirects), signed by participant and national pricing authority.
• Ownership control declaration and, where applicable, Ownership control guarantee plus national approval.
• PRS declaration (only if Galileo PRS access is needed, which is generally not expected for this topic).
• EDF Programme Security Instruction (PSI) applies where EUCI is handled; security classification guidance and SAL are provided during GAP as relevant.

Evaluation focus and expected impact

• Demonstrated capability to generate high-fidelity, traceable experimental datasets suitable for verification and validation (V&V) of flow-noise models.
• Credible, state-of-the-art numerical approaches coupling hydrodynamics (CFD, including turbulent boundary layers, vortex shedding, cavitation if relevant) with acoustic propagation and structural interaction where needed.
• Clear validation plan aligning experiments and simulations, uncertainty quantification and error analysis.
• Operational relevance: quantified translation of noise predictions to sonar performance metrics (e.g., detection ranges, classification error rates) and design/placement guidance.
• Coverage of platform parameter space and environmental variability representative for silent platforms.
• Contribution to EU strategic autonomy in underwater technologies; improved standardisation, interoperability and C2 support for underwater systems; strengthened EDTIB.

Detailed categorisation requested

Eligible Applicant Types:SMEs and mid-caps with expertise in CFD, underwater acoustics, sonar systems and naval design; large enterprises/defence primes and naval OEMs; universities and research institutes (hydrodynamics, signal processing, ocean engineering, acoustics); nonprofit RTOs; government defence research centres as beneficiaries if eligible; associated partners (including from non-eligible geographies) may contribute under strict conditions without EDF funding and cannot lead work packages. Subcontractors may be used for non-core tasks; core technical leadership must remain with beneficiaries.

Funding Type:Grant (EDF Research Action), budget-based actual cost grant with 100% funding rate for eligible costs; equipment reimbursed via depreciation; optional use of actual indirect costs subject to national authority acceptance; FSTP allowed within ceiling.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium (multi-beneficiary) is mandatory. Under standard EDF rules, at least three eligible entities established in at least three different EU Member States and/or associated countries (currently Norway) are required, in line with section 6 of the Call document.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States and EDF associated countries (currently Norway) for beneficiaries, affiliated entities and subcontractors involved in the action, with executive management located in those countries for the action duration. Entities from non-associated third countries may participate only as associated partners, under safeguards, without EDF funding and with no access to classified information unless conditions are met and approved.

Target Sector:Defence; underwater platforms and sonar systems; naval hydrodynamics; underwater acoustics and signal processing; computational fluid dynamics and vibro-acoustics; ocean engineering; software tools for modelling and simulation.

Mentioned Countries:European Union Member States; Norway (as EDF associated country). Regionally, the EU and EDF associated countries are explicitly referenced.

Project Stage:Research, development and validation. Activities focus on knowledge generation, integration and studies, with optional design of tools. System prototyping, testing, qualification and certification are out of scope for Research Actions.

Funding Amount:Indicative topic budget €10,000,000 (one grant expected). The overall EDF-2026-RA call envelope across topics is €110,000,000.

Application Type:Open call with single-stage submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposal Part A online; Part B and annexes uploaded as a single password-protected ZIP archive (AES-256) per the call document.

Nature of Support:Monetary grant covering eligible costs; optional non-financial business coaching for successful SME beneficiaries under EDF programme features.

Application Stages:1 stage: single submission and single-step evaluation before grant agreement preparation.

Success Rates:Not published for this topic. The call indicates one grant is expected for the topic, which implies a highly competitive process depending on the number and quality of proposals received.

Co-funding Requirement:No co-funding is required for EDF Research Actions; the EU funding rate is 100% of eligible costs. Note that certain cost categories are restricted (e.g., equipment via depreciation only) and national guarantees may be required for ownership/control derogations.

Key compliance and security

• Security: EDF Programme Security Instruction applies where EU Classified Information (EUCI) may be handled. Security Aspect Letters (SAL) and Security Classification Guides (SCG) are set during grant agreement preparation. Facilities and personnel may require appropriate clearances; CIS handling EUCI must be accredited. Transport and handling rules for EUCI apply.
• IPR: Results belong to the consortium, with detailed arrangements defined in the consortium agreement. Background must be identified and access rights managed in line with the Model Grant Agreement and call conditions.
• Ethics and values: Compliance with EU, international and national ethics and values requirements is mandatory.
• Eligibility of locations and resources: Infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources should be located in eligible countries. Use of non-eligible country resources is subject to strict justification and will be ineligible for reimbursement.

Templates: structure and guidance to prepare your proposal

• Part A (online forms): Administrative data; participants; budget; declarations; ethics and security questionnaires.
• Part B (narrative, uploaded): Cover; Project Summary; Excellence and Potential of Disruption; Innovation and Technological Development; Competitiveness; EDTIB Autonomy; Creation of New Cross-Border Cooperation; Implementation (work plan, WPs, resources, milestones, deliverables, risk management, QA/M&E, communication and visibility); Other (ethics, security); Declarations. Numbered WP tables include tasks, roles (COO, BEN, AE, AP), milestones with means of verification, deliverables with type and dissemination level (PU, SEN, EU classified levels).
• Detailed Budget Table (Annex 1 to Part B): Breakdown per beneficiary and cost category (A–E), declaration of indirect cost method (flat 25% or actual).
• Participant Information (template): Legal details; capacity; key staff; relevant projects; affiliated entities and associated partners; safeguards if non-eligible locations/resources are proposed.
• List of Infrastructure, Facilities, Assets and Resources: Locations with full addresses; owner; link to beneficiary; facility security clearance indications; justifications for any non-eligible locations (costs there are ineligible).
• Actual Indirect Cost Methodology Declaration (if opting for actuals): Cost elements; calculation method; apportionment keys; adjustments; at least two comparable defence projects accepted by national authorities; signed by national pricing authority.
• Ownership Control Declaration and Guarantee (if applicable): Detailing control, access to sensitive information, IPR/result protections; approval by competent national authority.
• PRS Declaration (only if Galileo PRS is needed): Competent authority confirms PRS authorisations.

Practical hints specific to this topic

• Plan a traceable Verification & Validation (V&V) pipeline: experimental design for buoyant body tests, sensor selection and calibration, flow/acoustic measurement techniques, uncertainty budgets, data management and FAIR principles as applicable to defence constraints.
• Demonstrate coverage of relevant flow regimes for silent platforms: Reynolds numbers, boundary layer characteristics, turbulence spectra, cavitation inception thresholds if applicable, and scaling considerations between model tests and full scale.
• Detail CFD-acoustics coupling: e.g., LES/DES for near-field turbulence and suitable acoustic analogies or CAA solvers; wall-pressure spectra modelling; structure-borne vs. fluid-borne pathways; model verification and grid/time-step convergence.
• Translate physics to performance: link predicted noise PSDs to sonar detection/classification metrics (ROC curves, Pd/Pfa, confusion matrices). Include representative sonar configurations and environmental propagation models.
• Parameter studies: hull form variations, appendages, flow control measures, propulsion options (including propulsor-hull interaction), and operational manoeuvres; quantify trade-offs in noise vs. performance.
• Usability: outline toolchain architecture, interfaces, documentation, test cases, and user training for defence end-users; ensure modularity for future updates.

How to submit and where to get help

• Submit via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; select EDF Research Actions [EDF-RA], EDF Action Grant Budget-Based [EDF-AG], and the specific topic EDF-2026-RA.
• Part B and annexes must be uploaded as a single password-protected ZIP (AES-256) per the Call document instructions.
• For call-related questions: DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu.
• Technical portal support: IT Helpdesk via the Online Manual.
• National Focal Points (NFPs) can assist with consortium building and eligibility questions.
• Partner search: The Portal offers partner search announcements; LEARs and authorised users can publish requests.

Summary: what this opportunity is about and how to explain it

This EDF Research Action funds a single, large, pan-European consortium to create the scientific and engineering foundations for predicting flow-induced underwater noise and its impact on sonar systems. The winning team will combine high-quality experiments using a buoyant body setup, advanced computational modelling that couples hydrodynamics with acoustics, and practical performance tools for end-users. The resulting validated models and datasets will guide the design of quiet underwater platforms and enable informed placement and design of sonars, ultimately strengthening the EU’s technological sovereignty and operational effectiveness undersea. The topic has a €10 million indicative budget, covers 100% of eligible costs, requires a multi-country consortium from the EU/associated countries, and follows a single-stage submission with a deadline on 29 September 2026. Proposers must deliver rigorous verification and validation, quantify how design and operational parameters influence noise, and translate physics-based predictions into sonar detection and classification performance. The grant framework includes standard EDF security, eligibility and IPR rules and offers detailed templates to support applicants through preparation, submission and grant agreement stages.

Footnotes

1. 1Primary source: EDF-2026-RA call and topic page, including the Call document and Conditions & documents for EDF-2026-RA on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal EDF-2026-RA-UWW-FUWN. Guidance on eligibility, templates and security from the Call document, the EDF Model Grant Agreement and the EDF Programme Security Instruction apply. See also the EDF programme page for general features and NFP support EDF Programme.

Funding Opportunity Overview

Call Details:This is a European Defence Fund research action call managed by the European Commission Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space. The call identifier is EDF-2026-RA under the broader Research actions implemented via actual cost grants call (EDF-2026-RA). This is a single-stage submission process with all applications evaluated in one phase rather than through multiple rounds.

Primary Deadline:The submission deadline for full applications is 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. This is the only deadline for this topic and applicants must submit complete proposals by this date.

Funding Amount and Rate:The total budget available for this topic is €10,000,000. Funding is provided at 100 percent of eligible costs, meaning the European Commission will reimburse all eligible expenses declared by beneficiaries. It is anticipated that one proposal will be funded for this topic, though depending on the quality of submissions and available budget, more than one proposal may ultimately receive funding.

Scope and Research Objectives

This funding opportunity aims to support the development and validation of advanced numerical models for predicting flow-related underwater noise generated by underwater platforms and systems. The research directly addresses the challenge that flow-related noise can significantly compromise the performance of onboard sonar systems and underwater communication capabilities and contributes to the overall radiated noise signature of underwater platforms. Accurate modelling and prediction of this noise is essential for optimal design of underwater platforms and effective integration of sonar systems.

Key Research Areas:

• Development of advanced numerical models using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and acoustic simulations for flow-related underwater noise
• Development and validation of state-of-the-art methods applicable to silent underwater platform parameter ranges
• Generation of high-quality experimental verification data through buoyant body experiments with flush-mounted and integrated hydrophones
• Creation of tools and methods for predicting sonar performance in the presence of flow-related noise, including effects on detection and classification capabilities
• Investigation of how platform design parameters, propulsion systems and manoeuvring affect flow-related underwater noise

Types of Activities:

Proposals must address mandatory activities in generating knowledge, integrating knowledge, and conducting studies. Design activities are optional. Generating knowledge includes experimental data generation from buoyant body experiments, high-quality reference datasets for radiated noise prediction, and new insights into fundamental physical processes governing underwater noise. Integrating knowledge involves developing advanced numerical models incorporating CFD and acoustic simulation knowledge and integrating experimental data with numerical models. Studies must include planning and conducting buoyant body experiments, evaluating existing modelling tools, and developing new or improved modelling methods. ¹

Eligibility and Consortium Requirements

Mandatory Multi-Beneficiary Composition:Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory for this topic. A consortium must include a minimum of three beneficiaries from three different eligible countries. Each beneficiary must be a legal entity established in an EU Member State or a country associated with the European Defence Fund, with executive management structure located in one of these eligible countries.

Eligible Countries:Beneficiaries must be established in EU Member States (all 27) or in countries associated with the European Defence Fund. Currently, Norway is the only associated country. Beneficiaries from other non-EU countries may participate but cannot charge costs to the project unless special guarantees approved by Member State authorities are in place.

Types of Eligible Participants:

• Research organisations and universities
• Public bodies and government research institutions
• Private companies including SMEs and large industrial contractors
• Affiliated entities of beneficiaries with similar rights and obligations
• Associated partners who may contribute without charging costs or claiming contributions
• Subcontractors performing specific action tasks under beneficiary contracts

Financial and Operational Capacity:All beneficiaries must demonstrate financial and operational capacity to implement the proposed action. Financial capacity will be assessed during grant agreement preparation based on indicators such as stable financial performance, sufficient resources, and absence of financial crisis indicators. Operational capacity requires demonstrating adequate resources, qualified personnel, relevant experience, and access to necessary infrastructure and facilities to successfully implement the project.

Budget and Funding Structure

Funding Model and Cost Categories:This call operates under actual cost grants, meaning beneficiaries submit detailed cost budgets and are reimbursed for costs actually incurred during the project period, provided these costs meet all eligibility conditions. ² The grant structure includes several eligible cost categories: personnel costs, subcontracting costs, purchase costs (including equipment, travel and subsistence, and other goods and services), other cost categories (financial support to third parties and internally invoiced goods and services), and indirect costs.

Personnel Costs:Personnel costs for employees assigned to the action are calculated using daily rates based on annual personnel costs divided by 215 working days. The time worked must be documented through monthly declarations signed by the person and their supervisor unless an alternative reliable time-record system is in place. Maximum total person-days per individual per year is 215 days. Supplementary payments may be included if they are part of the beneficiary's usual remuneration practices. Alternatively, beneficiaries may declare average personnel costs using unit cost methodology based on usual cost accounting practices.

Equipment Costs:For this topic, equipment purchases must be declared as depreciation costs only, calculated based on actual costs incurred and written off in accordance with international accounting standards and the beneficiary's usual accounting practices. Only the portion of costs corresponding to the rate of actual use for the action during the project duration can be claimed. Equipment rental or leasing costs are eligible if they do not exceed depreciation costs of similar equipment and do not include financing fees.

Indirect Costs:Beneficiaries may declare indirect costs at a flat rate of 25 percent of eligible direct costs in categories A through D, excluding volunteers, subcontracting, financial support to third parties, and certain exempted categories. Alternatively, beneficiaries may declare actual indirect costs according to their usual cost accounting practices if these practices are accepted by their national authorities for comparable activities in the defence domain and meet specific calculation and documentation requirements.

Subcontracting:Subcontracting for action tasks is eligible and costs are reimbursable at actual amounts invoiced by the subcontractor, provided the work is awarded using the beneficiary's usual purchasing practices ensuring best value for money and absence of conflicts of interest. Beneficiaries must comply with applicable national public procurement law if they are contracting authorities. Subcontracted tasks and estimated costs must be identified in the proposal.

Financial Support to Third Parties:Financial support to third parties is allowed under this call within specified ceilings, where beneficiaries may provide grants, prizes or similar support to external entities. Such support must follow objective and transparent selection procedures with maximum amounts per recipient, clearly defined eligible activity types, categories of persons to be supported, and transparent selection and award criteria set out in the grant agreement.

Ineligible Costs:

• Return on capital, dividends and profits
• Interest owed and debt service charges
• Provisions for future losses or debts
• Currency exchange losses
• Bank costs charged for transfers from the granting authority
• Excessive or reckless expenditure
• Deductible or refundable VAT paid by the beneficiary or public bodies acting as public authority
• Costs incurred during grant agreement suspension periods
• In-kind contributions by third parties
• Costs declared under other EU grants unless specific exceptions apply
• Costs for activities not occurring in eligible countries without granting authority approval

Project Implementation Requirements

Project Duration and Starting Date:The project starting date will be set during grant agreement preparation, typically the first day of the month following the entry into force of the agreement. The specific project duration in months will be agreed between the beneficiaries and the granting authority based on the proposal, but the duration must be consistent with the work plan and realistic timelines for completing all proposed activities.

Consortium Roles and Responsibilities:One beneficiary must be designated as the Coordinator, who serves as the intermediary for all communications with the granting authority, monitors proper project implementation, submits reports and deliverables, and distributes payments received from the Commission to other beneficiaries without unjustified delay. All beneficiaries are jointly responsible for the technical implementation of the action and remain fully responsible to the granting authority. If one beneficiary fails to implement their tasks, other beneficiaries must ensure completion without increase to the maximum grant amount. ³

Consortium Agreement:A written consortium agreement is required, covering internal organisation, management of portal access, distribution keys for payments, financial responsibilities in case of recoveries, additional rules on background and results rights, settlement of internal disputes, and liability and confidentiality arrangements. The internal agreement must not contain provisions contrary to the grant agreement.

Reporting and Payment Schedule

Continuous Reporting:Beneficiaries must report on project progress continuously through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal using the Continuous Reporting tool. This includes reporting on deliverables, milestones, outputs and outcomes, critical risks, and key indicators according to timing and conditions specified by the granting authority.

Periodic Reporting and Payments:The project will operate under a reporting and payment schedule with initial prefinancing, interim payments, and a final payment. Each reporting period concludes with a periodic report including a technical part describing action implementation and a financial part with detailed financial statements for all beneficiaries and affiliated entities, explanation of resource use, and certificates on financial statements if required. Reports must be submitted within 60 days after the end of the reporting period to trigger payment requests.

Payment Timing:Initial prefinancing payment is typically made within 30 days from entry into force of the grant agreement. Interim payments are made within 90 days of receiving the periodic report. The final payment is made within 90 days of receiving the final periodic report. An interim payment ceiling of 90 percent of the maximum grant amount applies.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Evaluation Process:The granting authority evaluates proposals against published award criteria and bases funding decisions on a priority ranking system. Proposals are assessed on their merit and potential for implementation. The evaluation will consider factors including scientific and technical excellence, innovation potential, expected environmental and defence impacts, and quality of consortium composition and management.

Award Criteria Focus Areas:

• Excellence and disruption potential of the proposed technical approach for underwater noise modelling and validation
• Innovation in numerical modelling techniques and experimental validation methodologies
• Expected impact on European defence technological industrial base autonomy and interoperability
• Quality and complementarity of the consortium with appropriate expertise in CFD, acoustics, experimental testing and sonar systems
• Feasibility of the proposed work plan, resource allocation, and risk management approach
• Cost effectiveness and efficiency of the budget allocation relative to project scope
• Communication and dissemination plans for results

Special Conditions and Requirements

Security and Classified Information:Projects involving classified information must comply with a specific Programme Security Instruction (PSI) that will be incorporated into the grant agreement through a Security Aspects Letter. Beneficiaries handling classified information must have appropriate facility and personnel security clearances, implement secure information handling and storage procedures, and follow strict protocols for classified information access, transmission, and protection. ⁴

Intellectual Property and Results:The granting authority does not obtain ownership of results produced under the action. Beneficiaries retain ownership of results while granting the Commission a royalty-free, non-exclusive and irrevocable licence to use materials and documents for policy, information, communication, dissemination and publicity purposes. Background information needed to implement the action must be provided by beneficiaries to other consortium members, subject to confidentiality obligations and specific rules in the grant agreement.

Communication, Dissemination and Visibility:Beneficiaries must promote the action and its results through targeted information to multiple audiences including media and public. All communication activities must acknowledge EU support and display the European flag and funding statement. Information must be factually accurate and include a disclaimer that views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or granting authority. Communication activities with major media impact must be reported to the granting authority in advance.

Confidentiality and Data Protection:Sensitive information identified in writing must be kept confidential during implementation and for specified periods after project completion. Personnel access to sensitive information is limited to those with need-to-know who are bound by confidentiality obligations. Beneficiaries must comply with applicable EU and national data protection laws when processing personal data. Specific confidentiality periods are established in the grant agreement, typically five years after final payment for standard grants.

Key Conditions for Application Success

Proposal Submission Requirements:

• Submission must occur through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal before 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time
• Part A containing administrative data is generated automatically in the Portal Submission System based on information entered by applicants
• Part B containing technical narrative must be downloaded as templates, completed, and uploaded as a single password-protected ZIP archive using AES-256 encryption
• Standard application forms specific to EDF must be used with formatting requirements including minimum Arial 9 point font and specified margins
• Detailed budget tables must be submitted as mandated annexes showing breakdown by beneficiary and budget category
• Participant information forms documenting participant descriptions, key staff, previous projects, and affiliated entities must be included
• Ownership control declarations are required confirming beneficiaries are not subject to control by non-associated third countries without approved guarantees

Documentation and Supporting Materials:Proposals must include completed application forms, detailed technical descriptions aligned with call requirements, comprehensive budgets with cost justification, participant information for all beneficiaries and affiliated entities, and any certificates or declarations required by the call. Supporting documents proving eligibility, financial capacity, and operational capacity may be requested during evaluation. Consortium agreements need not be submitted with the proposal but will be required before grant agreement signature.

Post-Award Grant Administration

Grant Agreement Preparation:Following proposal evaluation and selection decision, selected beneficiaries enter grant agreement preparation phase where the detailed Model Grant Agreement is negotiated. During this phase, the granting authority may request clarifications, additional documentation for security clearance and facility approval, or modifications to the project description and budget. The grant agreement will incorporate security requirements, payment terms, reporting schedules, and specific conditions for this topic.

Record Keeping and Audit Rights:Beneficiaries must maintain records and supporting documents for at least five years after final payment to substantiate costs claimed. Records must be made available to the granting authority upon request and for checks, reviews, audits and investigations by the Commission, European Court of Auditors, European Anti-Fraud Office and other authorised bodies. Original documents must be retained; digital documents are acceptable if authorised by applicable national law.

Liability and Recovery:Beneficiaries are liable for undue amounts received and must repay to the granting authority any costs found ineligible through audits or reviews. For multi-beneficiary grants under this call, limited joint and several liability applies, meaning other beneficiaries may be held liable for one beneficiary's unpaid amounts up to that beneficiary's maximum grant amount. The coordinator is responsible for final payment distribution and has first-line liability for final payment amounts.

Timeline and Key Milestones

Additional Support and Resources

Help and Guidance:The European Commission provides extensive guidance through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal including the Online Manual with step-by-step procedures, annotated Model Grant Agreements with detailed explanations of all provisions, frequently asked questions addressing common applicant questions, and technical helpdesk support for submission system issues. National Focal Points designated by EU Member States provide country-specific guidance on funding opportunities and consortium building. ⁵

Contact Information:For queries related to this specific call topic and proposal evaluation criteria, beneficiaries should contact the granting authority at DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu. For technical issues with the submission system, the IT Helpdesk is available through the Portal. For interpretation of grant agreement terms and conditions, the Online Manual and Annotated Grant Agreement provide comprehensive guidance.

Strategic Context and Expected Outcomes

This research action contributes to the European Union's strategic objective of achieving technological autonomy in critical defence capabilities. The development of advanced flow-related underwater noise prediction models supports the design of quieter submarines and underwater systems, enhancing the stealth and operational effectiveness of European naval forces. Results are expected to reduce dependencies on non-European suppliers, strengthen interoperability across EU and associated country naval forces, and improve standardisation of underwater technologies and command-control systems. The research aligns with defence capability priorities commonly agreed by Member States within the Common Foreign and Security Policy framework and supports the broader objective of strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.

Footnotes

1. 1Full details on eligible activity types and mandatory versus optional components are specified in section 2.6 of the EDF-2026-RA Call Document published on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.
2. 2Under actual cost grants, beneficiaries must declare costs actually incurred supported by accounting records. Alternatively, the call allows unit costs, flat rates or lump sums for specific budget items where these have been identified in the call conditions.
3. 3Coordinator responsibilities are detailed in Article 7 of the Model Grant Agreement (EDF/ASAP/EDIRPA MGA). Coordinator tasks cannot be subcontracted or delegated except where specifically permitted for public bodies and sole beneficiaries.
4. 4The Programme Security Instruction (PSI) establishes procedures for classification, handling, storage, transmission and access controls for classified information. Specific security requirements depend on the classification level of information involved (RESTRICTED, CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET level).
5. 5Each EU Member State and associated countries designate National Focal Points who provide guidance on EDF funding opportunities, eligibility requirements, and support in finding consortium partners. Contact information is available through the Defence Industry Space website of the European Commission.