Integration of Galileo PRS receivers on weapon systems and NAVWAR operational centres in military C2

The European Defence Fund (DG DEFIS) is offering a €50,000,000 budget-based development action (call identifier EDF-2026-DA) to design, prototype, test and qualify Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) GNSS modules with Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) capabilities for integration into missiles, guided munitions and NAVWAR operational centres. Proposals must be multi-beneficiary consortia with minimum cross-border participation, demonstrate TRL 5–6 prototyping, interchangeability across beneficiaries, testing under contested electromagnetic and BFEA scenarios and include PRS access declarations and security compliance. Submission is single-stage via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal with a deadline of 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.

Integration of Galileo PRS receivers on weapon systems and NAVWAR operational centres in military C2

What it funds

Development actions to design, prototype, test and qualify Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) GNSS receiver modules and a NAVWAR information management system for integration into military platforms including missiles and guided munitions; demonstrations in representative NAVWAR environments and a real firing test are required.

Who can apply

Consortia of legal entities established in eligible EDF countries (EU Member States and EDF associated countries; Norway currently associated). Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory; participants, affiliated entities and subcontractors must meet EDF eligibility, security and ownership-control conditions.

Deadline:29 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time ¹

1. 1Target activities: design, system prototyping (TRL 6+), testing and qualification, plus related upstream/downstream development
2. 2Security requirements: compliance with EDF Programme Security Instruction and PRS declarations where PRS access is needed
3. 3Consortium rules: harmonised capability requirements or procurement support by at least two Member States where design, prototyping, testing or qualification are included

Action type: EDF-2026-DA Development Actions implemented via actual cost grants under the European Defence Fund. Funding rates and bonuses (SME, mid-cap, PESCO) apply per EDF rules; equipment reimbursement rules and security provisions apply as specified in the call documentation ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Full call text, topic conditions, submission details and all templates are on the Funding & Tenders Portal EDF Topic page.

Integration of Galileo PRS receivers on weapon systems and NAVWAR operational centres in military C2 (EDF-2026-DA-SPACE-PRS-STEP)

This European Defence Fund (EDF) Development Action supports the development, integration, testing and qualification of Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) GNSS modules with Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) capabilities for use in guided munitions and missiles, and to reinforce NAVWAR information management. The action targets miniaturised, robust, and interchangeable PRS modules with common interfaces and form factors suitable for harsh operational environments, and requires demonstration in representative NAVWAR conditions, including blue force electronic attack (BFEA) and a real firing test. It contributes to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) in deep and digital technologies. The topic is open under the EDF 2026 Work Programme as a single-stage, budget-based Action Grant implemented via actual costs. One proposal is expected to be funded; the indicative topic budget is €50,000,000.

Key dates and identifiers:Opening date: 11 February 2026. Deadline: 29 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Call: Development actions implemented via actual cost grants (EDF-2026-DA). Topic ID on portal: EDF-2026-DA. Preferred topic ID in application documents: EDF-2026-DA-SPACE-PRS. Submission model: single-stage. Electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Topic page.

Scope and mandatory activities

The action must develop TRL 5–6 prototypes of GNSS modules for Galileo PRS with NAVWAR capabilities, dimensioned for the SWaP, environmental and kinematic constraints of missiles and guided munitions. It must consolidate NAVWAR capabilities including robustness to jamming and spoofing, define common BFEA masks for blue force operations, produce a common interface control document (ICD) to enable interchangeability, and incorporate PRS-compliant security modules (e.g. for PRS key management or spreading code transmission). Prototypes must be tested in representative NAVWAR environments and qualify against commonly agreed processes and military standards; effectiveness must be demonstrated with at least one real firing test under BFEA conditions.

• Design (mandatory): PRS GNSS module architectures and miniaturised security modules; ICDs for guided munitions and missiles; NAVWAR capability definition including BFEA masks; sensor fusion with inertial units; anti-jam/anti-spoofing; prioritisation and integrity management across PNT sensors; consultation with crypto approval authorities on tamper protection and CDE compliance; EU-based supply-chain identification for critical elements (ASICs, electronic components).
• System prototyping (mandatory): Prototypes reaching at least TRL 6; option to use an EU Chips Act pilot line for secure defence ASICs.
• Testing (mandatory): Proof-of-concept at TRL 5 in simulated congested environments (intentional GNSS RFI, spoofing); structured test plans covering CW interference, high noise, unmodulated carriers; interchangeability demonstration of at least two beneficiaries’ PRS GNSS module prototypes on common platform environments from different supporting Member States (preferably three).
• Qualification (mandatory): Qualification of PRS GNSS modules in intended integration environments against agreed NAVWAR scenarios, including protection, support and offensive operations, ensuring compliance with applicable military and international regulatory requirements for secure and robust navigation under adversarial conditions.
• Certification (optional): As needed per national frameworks.

Projects that include prototyping, testing, qualification or certification must be supported by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries that intend to procure or jointly use the technology, based on common technical specifications. Projects including design must be based on harmonised defence capability requirements jointly agreed by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries (or a documented joint intent pending finalisation). Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) is allowed within the set ceiling; equipment costs may be reimbursed by depreciation and, for listed items, at full cost as per the call’s specific conditions. Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory.

Technical and operational requirements

• PRS compliance: GNSS modules must comply with Galileo PRS protection profile CMS to use all PRS operational modes.
• SWaP and environmental fit: Customised for integration into missiles and small-sized guided munitions with minimal impact on host platforms (shock, vibration, thermal extremes, high dynamics).
• NAVWAR resilience: Anti-jam and anti-spoofing with advanced signal processing, robust RFI filtering, secure resilient acquisition, rapid adaptation to changing threat conditions, field-upgradable firmware/software.
• BFEA readiness: Adequate compliance with predefined BFEA scenarios and masks agreed by supporting Member States.
• Interchangeability and standardisation: Common ICDs for form factors, electrical interfaces, communication protocols, payload capacity and ancillaries; cross-vendor module interchangeability on shared reference platforms.
• Sensor fusion and integrity: Tight coupling with inertial and other PNT sensors; prioritisation, integrity monitoring and continuity strategies aligned to NAVWAR modes.
• Manufacturing risk management: Wafer-run risk analysis for ASICs with mitigation measures and schedule contingency.
• Demonstration: Real firing test(s) under NAVWAR conditions with measurement of anti-jam and anti-spoofing effectiveness, compliant with operational planning processes and environmental constraints.

Budget, number of grants and funding rates

Indicative topic budget: €50,000,000. Indicative number of proposals to be funded: 1 (more may be funded subject to quality and budget availability). The broader EDF-2026-DA call envelope is €422,000,000. Funding is a budget-based Action Grant reimbursing actual costs at activity-specific rates with bonuses. Co-financing is required where the applicable funding rate is below 100%; a Co-financing Declaration is mandatory at submission.

Bonuses: PESCO +10 percentage points when developed in the context of a PESCO project; SME bonus per proportion of eligible costs (differentiated for cross-border SMEs); mid-cap +10 if mid-caps account for at least 15% of eligible costs in the activity. Only entities with a valid PIC and positive SME/mid-cap self-assessment can count towards bonuses. Annex 2e of the Grant Agreement sets individual cap rates per beneficiary and reporting period.

Governance, eligibility and security

• Consortium: Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory, typically at least three independent entities from three different EU Member States or EDF associated countries (see Section 6 of the Call Document for definitive composition rules). For activities (e)–(h), at least two Member States or EDF associated countries must support coordinated procurement or use; for (d), harmonised capability requirements by at least two countries are required.
• Geographic eligibility: Beneficiaries, affiliated entities and subcontractors involved in the action must be established in EU Member States or EDF associated countries (currently Norway) and have their executive management structure therein.
• Ownership and control: Participants must not be controlled by non-associated third countries unless Member State-approved guarantees under EDF Regulation Article 9(4) are provided; Ownership Control Declarations and, where applicable, Ownership Control Guarantees are required.
• Security and PRS access: PRS Declaration by the competent national PRS authority confirming authorisations or ongoing authorisation processes is required if PRS information access is needed. Classified information handling follows the EDF Programme Security Instruction and the Security Aspects Letter; Facility Security Clearances and Personnel Security Clearances apply as per classification level and national rules.
• EU content and site location: Use of assets, facilities and resources should be in eligible countries; exceptional use outside is subject to strict conditions and such costs are not eligible for reimbursement.
• Subcontracting: Must follow best value for money rules and avoid conflicts of interest; certain sensitive tasks cannot be subcontracted; subcontractors involved in the action may need to provide ownership and security declarations. A cap or rules may apply per call text; new subcontracts typically require amendment unless covered by simplified approval.

Evaluation, award and reporting

Single-stage submission and evaluation. Proposals must follow the Call Document’s admissibility, eligibility, award criteria and thresholds, and may be subject to security scrutiny. Successful SME beneficiaries may receive EDF business coaching. Projects use standard EDF reporting through the Funding & Tenders Portal, with continuous reporting of deliverables and periodic technical and financial reports; financial statements may require Certificates on the Financial Statements depending on thresholds.

Mandatory documents and templates at submission

• Part A (administrative forms) in the Submission System.
• Part B technical description uploaded as a single password-protected ZIP as per call rules.
• Detailed budget table (EDF DA).
• Participant information form (per participant, including subcontractors involved in the action).
• List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources (location and FSC status where relevant).
• Co-financing declaration (mandatory, all fields completed; expected IPR-related return must be described).
• Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (only if claiming actual indirects; includes national authority confirmation).
• Harmonised defence capability requirements declaration (for design activities).
• Declaration on procurement intent and common technical specifications (for proto/testing/qualification/certification activities).
• Ownership control declaration (and ownership control guarantee where applicable).
• PRS declaration (if PRS access is needed).
• Security Aspects Letter and PSI will complement the grant agreement where classified information is involved.

Part B technical description structure (guidance)

1. 1Project summary.
2. 2Excellence and potential of disruption: objectives, scope and types of activities, functional requirements, expected impact, and advantages over state of the art.
3. 3Innovation and technological development: innovation potential, complementarity with prior PADR/EDIDP/EDF and civil activities, spin-offs.
4. 4Competitiveness: advantage, growth potential, IPR strategy.
5. 5EDTIB autonomy: non-dependency, security of supply, alignment with CDP priorities.
6. 6Creation of new cross-border cooperation: with emphasis on SMEs and mid-caps.
7. 7Lifecycle efficiency improvements.
8. 8Member State cooperation: commitments to jointly use/own/maintain results.
9. 9Implementation: work plan, WPs per EDF activity type, milestones, deliverables, resources, subcontracting, timetable, consortium set-up, governance, risk, quality, dissemination/communication with security constraints.
10. 10Ethics and security self-assessments.
11. 11Declarations: PESCO, SME/mid-cap bonuses, PRS-related tasks and authorisations, lethal autonomous weapons safeguards, background/results free from third-country control, double funding, and FSTP if applicable.

Synergies and references

Proposals must explain complementarities with EDIDP-PNTSCC-PNT-2019 (European PRS navigation receivers compatible with GPS/PRS) and EDF-2021-SPACE-D-SGNS (Space and ground-based NAVWAR surveillance), and substantiate links with relevant EU-level initiatives. Synergies with civilian PRS prototypes under Horizon Europe use cases are encouraged. The topic is STEP-flagged for deep and digital technologies.

Portal links and official documents

• Topic page and submission EDF-2026-DA-SPACE-PRS-STEP.
• EDF-2026-DA Call Document (full rules, sections 5–10 on admissibility, eligibility, evaluation, legal-financial set-up) Call Document.
• EDF Model Grant Agreement (EDF/ASAP/EDIRPA MGA) Model GA.
• EDF Programme Security Instruction (PSI) EDF PSI.
• Templates: Participant information, List of infrastructures, Co-financing declaration, Actual indirect cost methodology, Harmonised capability declaration, Declaration on procurement intent and common specifications, Ownership control guarantee, PRS declaration, Application Form Part B. All available in the topic Conditions and documents section.

Categorisation and structured extraction

Eligible Applicant Types:Eligible beneficiaries and affiliated entities are public or private legal entities established in EU Member States or EDF associated countries (currently Norway), with executive management structure in those countries. Typical eligible types include SMEs, mid-caps, large enterprises and OEMs in defence, semiconductor and GNSS sectors; universities and higher education institutions; research and technology organisations; nonprofit research foundations; national defence laboratories and government research agencies; public bodies; and system integrators. Subcontractors involved in the action must also be established and managed in eligible countries. Entities controlled by non-associated third countries can participate only under strict guarantees approved by national authorities in line with Article 9(4) of the EDF Regulation. Associated partners from other countries may contribute without funding under exceptional conditions.

Funding Type:Budget-based Action Grant reimbursing actual costs under the EDF-AG model, with activity-specific funding rates and bonuses. Financial Support to Third Parties (cascade funding) is allowed within ceilings. Business coaching for SME beneficiaries is also offered as a non-financial support measure under EDF.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium (multi-beneficiary) is mandatory. EDF minimum composition generally requires at least three independent entities from three different EU Member States or EDF associated countries. Additional topic-specific requirements apply: for design activities, harmonised capability requirements from at least two countries; for prototyping, testing, qualification and certification, at least two countries must support coordinated procurement or joint use and agree common technical specifications. Interchangeability must be demonstrated by at least two beneficiaries from different supporting countries on common platforms.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States and EDF associated countries. For this programme cycle, Norway is associated. Executive management must be in eligible countries. Non-associated third-country controlled entities require guarantees approved by the competent Member State. Use of infrastructure or resources located outside eligible countries is only exceptionally authorisable and non-reimbursable.

Target Sector:Defence and security with focus on space-based PNT; NAVWAR; guided weapons integration; electronics and semiconductors (defence ASICs); crypto and tamper-resistant security modules; robust GNSS receivers; software and embedded firmware for anti-jam/anti-spoofing; systems engineering and qualification. Cross-cuts deep tech, digital, secure communications and sensor fusion.

Mentioned Countries:Norway; United Kingdom; Ukraine. Regionally, the opportunity addresses EU Member States and EDF associated countries.

Project Stage:Development with emphasis on design, prototyping (TRL 5–6), testing, qualification, and demonstration through a real firing test. Certification is optional. The work must translate to interchangeable modules suitable for operational integration.

Funding Amount:Indicative topic budget: €50,000,000. One grant is expected to be awarded. The call’s global envelope is €422,000,000 across topics. Activity-specific reimbursement rates apply; co-financing fills the gap to 100%.

Application Type:Open call, single-stage, electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Password-protected zip upload for Part B and annexes as per EDF rules.

Nature of Support:Financial support in the form of a grant covering eligible actual costs at defined rates. Non-financial support includes SME business coaching. Projects may implement FSTP to support third-party innovators.

Application Stages:1 stage (single-stage submission and evaluation), followed by grant agreement preparation for successful proposals. Security scrutiny may apply during grant preparation.

Success Rates:Not specified in the call documentation. The topic intends to fund one proposal, which indicates a highly competitive selection.

Co-funding Requirement:Yes, where the applicable funding rate is below 100%. A Co-financing Declaration is mandatory at submission and all fields must be completed, including the expected IPR-related return for the co-financer and the availability timeline. For activities such as prototyping and testing, significant co-financing is typically required due to baseline rates (20% and 45% respectively, before bonuses). PESCO, SME and mid-cap bonuses can raise rates within the specified maxima.

Templates and application structure:Applicants must use the official EDF templates, including: Part A (administrative); Part B (technical) with sections on excellence, innovation, competitiveness, EDTIB autonomy, cross-border cooperation, lifecycle efficiency, Member State cooperation, implementation, ethics and security; Detailed budget table; Participant information; List of infrastructure/facilities/assets/resources; Co-financing declaration; Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (if applicable); Harmonised capability requirements declaration (for design); Declaration on procurement intent and common specifications (for proto/testing/qualification/certification); Ownership control declaration and, if relevant, ownership control guarantee; PRS declaration. All submission formats and signature requirements are defined in the call’s Conditions and documents. Part B and annexes must be uploaded as a single password-protected zip archive, using AES-256 encryption as per call document guidance.

What this opportunity is about and how to explain it

This EDF Development Action seeks a European, interoperable generation of Galileo PRS GNSS receiver modules engineered for the most demanding defence applications: guided munitions and missiles operating in contested electromagnetic environments. It asks industry and research partners, backed by at least two supporting countries, to co-develop miniaturised, tamper-resistant PRS modules that can survive shock, heat and vibration, maintain PNT continuity under powerful jamming and sophisticated spoofing, and switch seamlessly between weapons thanks to common form factors and standardised electrical and data interfaces. The project must move beyond paper: teams are required to prototype to TRL 6, qualify performance under agreed NAVWAR scenarios, prove interchangeability across vendors and platforms, and culminate in a real firing trial under BFEA conditions. Funding is via an EDF grant on actual costs with activity-based reimbursement rates and bonuses; applicants must plan co-financing and assemble the required national support declarations for capability harmonisation and common specifications. Security and PRS access are strictly regulated, with PRS and ownership-control declarations, and, where necessary, facility and personnel clearances. In plain terms, the EU is funding one comprehensive, multi-country programme to field-testable maturity a family of secure European PRS navigation modules that keep working when adversaries try to deny GNSS, and that can be integrated quickly and consistently across multiple European weapon systems.

Footnotes

1. 1Official programme and topic documentation: EDF-2026-DA Call Document EDF-2026-DA Call. Topic page and submission: EDF-2026-DA-SPACE-PRS-STEP. Model Grant Agreement: EDF/ASAP/EDIRPA MGA. Programme Security Instruction: EDF PSI.

Funding Opportunity Analysis: Integration of Galileo PRS Receivers on Weapon Systems and NAVWAR Operational Centres

Opportunity Overview

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) is launching a €50 million call for proposals under the European Defence Fund (EDF) to support the development and integration of Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) receivers with Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) capabilities into EU Member States and EDF associated countries defence systems. The call specifically targets GNSS modules for PRS that can be integrated into missiles and guided munitions, demonstrating effectiveness under contested electromagnetic environments including blue force electronic attack (BFEA) scenarios.

Key Identification Details

Call Identifier:EDF-2026-DA

Type of Action:EDF Development Actions implemented via actual cost grants

Type of Model Grant Agreement:EDF Action Grant Budget-Based

Opening Date:11 February 2026

Deadline for Submission:29 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time

Submission Model:Single-stage submission

Funding Details

Total Budget Allocation:€50,000,000 for this specific topic

Indicative Number of Proposals to be Funded:Typically one proposal is expected to be funded. However, depending on the quality of proposals submitted and budget availability, more than one proposal may be funded.

Funding Rate:Funding rates vary by type of activity as follows: Design activities are funded at 65 percent baseline with potential bonuses up to 100 percent; System prototyping is funded at 20 percent baseline with potential bonuses up to 55 percent; Testing is funded at 45 percent baseline with potential bonuses up to 80 percent; Qualification is funded at 70 percent baseline with potential bonuses up to 80 percent. Bonuses include PESCO bonus of 10 percent, SME bonus of up to 5 percent (non-cross-border) or up to 10 percent (cross-border), and mid-cap bonus of 10 percent.

Eligibility and Participation Requirements

Eligible Participant Countries:All EU Member States (EU 27) and Norway as an EDF associated country. Non-EU entities may participate under specific conditions if they do not compromise EU security and defence interests, subject to guarantees approved by competent national authorities.

Eligible Applicant Types:Government and public bodies, private sector entities including SMEs and mid-caps. Beneficiaries must be established in an eligible country and have their executive management structure in that country.

Consortium Requirements:Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory. A minimum of three entities from three different EU Member States or EDF associated countries must participate as beneficiaries. Supporting Member States must jointly agree on harmonised defence capability requirements and intend to procure the final product or use the technology in a coordinated manner.

Additional Eligibility Conditions:Participants must be eligible under the EDF throughout the action duration. All costs are only eligible as long as both the beneficiary and the action remain eligible. Entities must not be subject to exclusion grounds under the EU Financial Regulation.

Project Scope and Mandatory Activities

The call focuses on developing GNSS modules for PRS with NAVWAR capabilities compatible with missiles and guided munitions. Proposals must address the following mandatory activities across design, system prototyping, testing, and qualification phases.

Design Phase Activities (Mandatory):Development of GNSS modules for PRS including miniaturised security modules for missiles and guided munitions with specific attention to power consumption, weight, shock and vibration, size and sensor hybridisation requirements. Consolidation of NAVWAR capability covering robustness to interferences and common BFEA masks. Incorporation of NAVWAR capability into technical requirements and standardisation processes. Development of commonly agreed interface control documents (ICDs). Further development of GNSS module architectures with miniaturisation and modularity concepts, including consultation with crypto approval authorities.

System Prototyping Phase Activities (Mandatory):Continuation of design activities to Technology Readiness Level 6 prototype stage.

Testing Phase Activities (Mandatory):Development of test plans addressing various interference types. Proof-of-concept demonstration in NAVWAR environment at minimum Technology Readiness Level 5. Demonstration of interchangeability of prototypes between at least two beneficiaries from two different supporting Member States. Real firing test demonstration under NAVWAR conditions including BFEA scenarios characterised by GNSS radiofrequency interference.

Qualification Phase Activities (Mandatory):Qualification of GNSS modules for PRS in integration environments against identified NAVWAR scenarios involving various interference types. Assurance that prototypes meet relevant military standards applied by supporting Member States and comply with specific defence sector requirements and international legal requirements related to secure navigation systems under adversarial conditions.

Functional Requirements

Developed GNSS modules for PRS must comply with Galileo PRS protection profile and use all Galileo PRS operational modes. Modules should build on a common ICD and be interchangeable for given platforms. They must meet specific size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements for integration into missiles and guided munitions while minimising impact on hosting platforms. Modules must continue providing accurate positioning, navigation and timing data even in contested or degraded signal environments through hardening to GNSS jamming and spoofing with advanced signal processing algorithms and robustness to radiofrequency interference. Systems must adequately comply with predefined BFEA scenarios and allow software upgrades and field reprogramming to adapt to new threats.

Key Conditions and Special Requirements

Multi-Beneficiary Requirement:Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory with specific consortium composition requirements applying.

Equipment Cost Reimbursement:Depreciation and full cost for listed equipment are permitted.

Financial Support to Third Parties:Financial support to third parties is allowed but only within a set ceiling, typically €60,000 per recipient unless otherwise justified.

Harmonised Defence Capability Requirements:Projects addressing design activities must be based on harmonised defence capability requirements jointly agreed by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries. Projects addressing prototyping through certification must be supported by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries that intend to procure the final product or use the technology in a coordinated manner and be based on common technical specifications jointly agreed by these states.

PRS Declaration Requirement:Applicants requiring access to Galileo PRS information must provide a PRS declaration. This must be submitted by the competent PRS authority confirming that participants have relevant Galileo PRS authorisations or have started the process to obtain them. ¹

Expected Project Outcomes and Impact

The expected outcomes include promotion of development of miniaturised GNSS modules for PRS, demonstration of effectiveness in representative NAVWAR environments with focus on radiofrequency interference and BFEA, strengthening EU NAVWAR common understanding and GNSS resilience, ensuring uptake of Galileo PRS, and reducing or preventing strategic dependencies of the Union on non-EU positioning and navigation systems. Projects should contribute to European technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy in the defence domain.

Financial Management and Payment Procedures

Budget Category Structure:Costs are declared under standard EDF budget categories including personnel costs, subcontracting costs, purchase costs (travel and subsistence, equipment, other goods and services), other cost categories, and indirect costs at a flat rate of 25 percent or actual costs if justified.

Payment Schedule:Prefinancing payment is made following entry into force and provision of financial guarantee if required. Additional prefinancing and interim payments are made based on periodic reporting. Final payment is made 90 days after receiving the final periodic report, subject to satisfactory implementation verification.

Reporting Requirements:Beneficiaries must provide continuous reporting through the Portal Continuous Reporting tool and periodic technical and financial reports at defined intervals. Financial statements must be submitted in EUR and include eligible costs per budget category. Beneficiaries must confirm that costs are eligible, properly substantiated by records and supporting documents, and that all revenues have been declared.

Certificates and Audit Requirements

Certificate on Financial Statements:Required only at final payment if the EU contribution is €325,000 or more per beneficiary. Exemptions may be granted for specific beneficiary types.

Record-Keeping Obligations:All beneficiaries must keep records and supporting documents for at least five years after final payment to prove proper implementation and justify declared costs. Personnel time records must be supported by monthly signed declarations from personnel and supervisors or equivalent reliable time-record systems.

Rights of Access and Control:The granting authority, European Commission, OLAF, Court of Auditors and other competent bodies have the right to conduct checks, reviews, audits and investigations on beneficiaries and subcontractors, including on-the-spot checks, for up to five years after final payment.

Intellectual Property and Results Management

The granting authority does not obtain ownership of results produced under the action. Results ownership remains with the beneficiaries. The granting authority receives a royalty-free, non-exclusive and irrevocable licence to use materials and documents for policy, information, communication, dissemination and publicity purposes, including the right to edit, translate, store, archive and authorise third parties to sub-license such use. Beneficiaries must ensure that all necessary licenses are obtained from third-party rights holders for any materials subject to moral rights or third-party intellectual property rights.

Security and Classified Information

This action involves EU classified information and must be carried out in full compliance with Commission Decision 2015/444 on security rules for protecting EU classified information. A specific Programme Security Instruction (PSI) will be issued with the grant agreement. Beneficiaries must implement appropriate security measures, maintain facility and personnel security clearances where required, and follow procedures for handling, storing and transmitting classified information. The highest classification level anticipated is CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or above depending on project evolution.

Key Deadlines and Timeline

1. 1Call opening: 11 February 2026
2. 2Deadline for submission: 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time
3. 3Evaluation period: Following submission deadline
4. 4Grant agreement signature: Following evaluation and successful grant preparation
5. 5Project implementation: To commence following grant entry into force
6. 6Record-keeping period: 5 years after final payment

Important Considerations for Applicants

Applicants must ensure that their organisation and all consortium partners are registered in the EU Funding and Tenders Portal Participant Register with an assigned PIC number. All beneficiaries must declare their eligibility, absence of exclusion grounds, and financial and operational capacity. Consortium agreements are mandatory and must address internal organisation, decision-making mechanisms, rights and obligations regarding background and results, and liability arrangements. Supporting Member States' commitment to jointly procure or use the technology is essential for proposal success. Applicants must consult with their Competent PRS Authority regarding Galileo PRS access authorisations ¹. The proposal must clearly demonstrate how synergies will be achieved with preceding and ongoing related activities in the field.

Application Support and Resources

The European Commission provides comprehensive support through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal, offering online submission systems, guidance documents, tutorial videos, and FAQ resources. National Focal Points in each Member State can provide guidance on specific national requirements and facilitate partner identification. Technical questions regarding the call should be directed to DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu. The EDF Info Days provide networking opportunities and detailed briefings on application procedures and evaluation criteria.

Footnotes

1. 1The competent PRS authority refers to the Competent PRS Authority (CPA) established by each Member State to manage and control end-users of Galileo PRS and ensure adherence to security standards. Contact details for CPAs should be obtained through national defence ministry channels or from the European GNSS Agency.