EDF-2023-DA-MATCOMP-MJR-CBDIN MaJoR Grant Agreement 101167891 - CASCADE FUNDING OPEN CALL 1

The MaJoR CASCADE FUNDING OPEN CALL 1 is an initiative supported by the European Defence Fund, specifically designed for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the defence sector. The primary aim is to enhance and demonstrate technologies relating to maintenance, joining, and repair for air, land, and sea vehicle durability within the context of a six-month research project. Eligible applicants must be legal private entities classified as SMEs, with participation of non-SMEs permitted only under exceptional circumstances where suitable SMEs cannot be found.

The funding mechanism utilized is known as Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), often referred to as Cascade Funding, which provides lump-sum grants. Each project can receive financial support of up to €60,000, and the total budget for this open call is set at €1.8 million, aiming to select up to 30 entities. The submission portal opened on January 27, 2026, and the deadline for applications is March 25, 2026. The application process is structured as a single-stage and proposals must adhere to specific guidelines, including a maximum length of five pages.

The initiative covers five designated technological topics: the development of hybrid structures, innovative joining technologies, structural health monitoring and sensor systems, non-destructive testing and diagnostics, and the application of digitalization and artificial intelligence for decision support tools. Each project phase is focused on research and development with demonstration elements to showcase the proposed solutions.

In addition to financial support, participants will also benefit from non-monetary services such as coaching, mentoring, and participation in an Entrepreneurship in European Defence course. This program aims not only to provide funding but also to facilitate the integration of SMEs into the European defence ecosystem by enhancing their technological and business capabilities.

Applicants must meet various eligibility criteria, including being established in the EU or EDF associated countries (Norway and Ukraine), and comply with operational, financial, ethical, and security requirements. The evaluation will follow clear and transparent criteria, assessing proposals based on the outlined topics without a sequential screening process.

The opportunity represents a significant resource for SMEs focusing on defence technology advancement and seeks to foster innovation and collaboration in the field.

The MaJoR project, funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF) under grant agreement No 101167891, is launching a Cascade Funding Open Call to provide financial support to third parties, specifically SMEs in the defence sector. The project aims to enhance and demonstrate maintenance, joining, and repair technologies for air, land, and sea vehicle durability.

This first call defines five specific topics, and up to 30 entities will be selected per call. Each recipient can receive up to EUR 60,000 for a 6-month research project. The total funding available for this call is EUR 1,800,000.00.

The opening date for submissions is 28 January 2026, and the deadline is 25 March 2026 at 12:00 (Brussels time). The deadline model is single-stage.

The five topics for this first open call are:

1. Hybrid Structures for Defence Platforms: Focuses on multi-material design, joining, and reversible interfaces.

2. Innovative Joining Technologies & Automated Processes: Targets multi-material defence structures.

3. Structural Health Monitoring, Health and Usage Monitoring Systems & Embedded Sensor Architectures: Emphasizes continuous and event-based structural health monitoring.

4. Non-Destructive Testing, Maintenance, Repair & Diagnostics: Deals with hybrid and composite defence structures.

5. Digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence & Decision Support Tools: Aims at structural assessment and maintenance.

Recipients of the MaJoR Cascade Funding Open Call will also have the opportunity to participate in an Entrepreneurship in European Defence course and receive coaching and mentoring services.

To be eligible, applicants must:

1. Be a legal private entity qualifying as a Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME). Participation of non-SMEs is possible only if no SMEs are available with the necessary capacity or expertise.

2. Be established in the EU or in EDF associated countries (27 EU Member States, Norway, or Ukraine) as per Article 6.1 of Commission Implementing Decision of 29.1.2025 C(2025) 568.

3. Comply with ownership control restrictions as per Article 6.2 of Commission Implementing Decision of 29.1.2025 C(2025) 568.

4. Comply with ethics requirements (Article 7 of EDF Regulation).

5. Comply with security requirements of the call.

6. Comply with operational capacity requirements, demonstrating the know-how, qualifications, and resources to implement the projects successfully.

7. Comply with financial capacity requirements of the call.

8. Comply with any other specificity of the call.

9. Not have any conflict of interest with MaJoR consortium partners.

Applicants' financial and operational capacity will be part of the selection criteria.

Proposal applications must be submitted exclusively via the MaJoR Submission Portal. The proposal must be written in English and should not exceed 5 pages, following the Proposal Template. Only proposals included in the Proposal Template will be reviewed. The assessment will follow transparent evaluation criteria, lump-sum funding modalities, and strict governance procedures in compliance with the EDF's Model Grant Agreement.

Additional information and the CASCADE FUNDING OPEN CALL CONDITIONS are available on the project website via the MaJoR Cascade Funding and MaJoR Submission Portal links.

The contact email for inquiries is opencalls[at]major-project.eu.

The project acronym is MaJoR, and the full name of the EU-funded project is Maintenance, Joining, and Repair innovation in multidomain defence. The grant agreement number is 101167891. The topic is EDF-2023-DA-MATCOMP-MJR-CBDIN - Technologies and processes for maintenance, joining, and repair through an innovation test hub.

In summary, the MaJoR project's Cascade Funding Open Call offers SMEs in the defence sector a chance to secure up to EUR 60,000 for a 6-month research project focused on advancing maintenance, joining, and repair technologies. This initiative aims to boost the technological and business capabilities of SMEs, showcase their innovations, and integrate them into the broader defence community. The call covers five specific technology areas, ranging from hybrid structures and joining technologies to structural health monitoring, non-destructive testing, and digitalization with AI. Eligible SMEs from the EU and associated countries are encouraged to apply through the MaJoR Submission Portal, adhering to the specified guidelines and deadlines. This program not only provides financial support but also offers valuable training and mentoring opportunities to participating SMEs.

Eligible Applicant Types: The primary eligible applicant type is a Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) that is a legal private entity. Participation of entities other than SMEs can be accepted only where no SMEs are available to demonstrate the capacity or expertise needed for the project during its lifetime (i.e., only in the absence of eligible applications submitted by SMEs).

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) through cascade funding.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity appears to be geared towards single applicants, although this is not explicitly stated. The focus is on SMEs proposing new technologies and services.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Applicants must be established in the EU or in EDF associated countries, which include the 27 EU Member States, Norway, and Ukraine, as per Article 6.1 of Commission Implementing Decision of 29.1.2025 C(2025) 568.

Target Sector: The target sector is the defence sector, specifically focusing on technologies and processes for maintenance, joining, and repair of air, land, and sea vehicle durability. The specific topics include hybrid structures, joining technologies, structural health monitoring, non-destructive testing, and digitalization/AI for structural assessment and maintenance.

Mentioned Countries: The mentioned countries are the 27 EU Member States, Norway, and Ukraine.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to be focused on development and demonstration, with SMEs proposing new technologies and services that can be assessed and integrated into the MaJoR project.

Funding Amount: Each recipient could receive up to EUR 60,000 for participating in a 6-month specific research project. The total funding available for the call is EUR 1,800,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant (up to EUR 60,000). They will also receive non-monetary services, including participation in an Entrepreneurship in European Defence course, coaching, and mentoring services.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the call aims to select up to 30 entities per call, and there are plans for two calls.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

The MaJoR project, co-funded by the European Defence Fund, is launching a cascade funding open call to support SMEs in the defence sector. The call aims to enhance and demonstrate maintenance, joining, and repair technologies for air, land, and sea vehicles. SMEs can propose new technologies and services within five specific topics: Hybrid Structures for Defence Platforms, Innovative Joining Technologies & Automated Processes, Structural Health Monitoring, Non-Destructive Testing, and Digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence & Decision Support Tools.

Eligible SMEs can receive up to EUR 60,000 for a 6-month research project. In addition to financial support, selected SMEs will benefit from an Entrepreneurship in European Defence course, coaching, and mentoring. The call is open to SMEs established in the EU or EDF-associated countries (Norway and Ukraine). Applications must be submitted through the MaJoR Submission Portal and adhere to specific eligibility and compliance criteria, including security and ethics requirements. The deadline for submissions is March 25, 2026. The MaJoR project will assess and integrate the proposed technologies into the project, fostering innovation and integration of SMEs into the broader defence community. The total funding available for this call is EUR 1,800,000.