Modelling & simulation supported AI framework for military decision-making and training

European Defence Fund research action EDF-2026-RA seeks feasibility studies and design work to create an AI-enabled modelling and simulation framework for military decision-making, training and tactical intelligence. Indicative topic budget €16,000,000 with a maximum EU contribution per proposal of €8,000,000, funding rate 100% of eligible costs, several proposals may be funded, and the deadline is 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Multi-beneficiary consortia of entities established in EU Member States or associated countries (currently Norway) are mandatory, projects may involve classified information subject to EDF security rules, and equipment costs must be declared as depreciation only.

Modelling & simulation supported AI framework for military decision-making and training

Call and timeline

EDF-2026-RA-SIMTRAIN-MSAI — Research actions (EDF-2026-RA)

Objective: assess feasibility and design an AI framework for defence use that integrates military simulation capabilities, historical datasets, scenario and benchmark databases, doctrinal models and outputs from existing AI services to support tactical intelligence, wargaming, decision-making and training.

Key dates:Opening: 11 February 2026. Deadline: 29 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time EU Funding & Tenders Portal ¹

1. 1What it funds: studies and design activities (including upstream/downstream research activities) to produce a common AI + simulation framework, benchmarks, datasets, doctrinal model interfaces and demonstrators at study/design TRLs
2. 2Who can apply: legal entities (public or private) established in EU Member States or EDF-associated countries; multi-beneficiary consortia are mandatory for this topic (see call for consortium rules)
3. 3Funding and form: EDF Research Actions reimbursed at 100% of eligible costs; indicative topic budget €16,000,000; maximum EU contribution per proposal €8,000,000; several proposals may be funded

Scope highlights: federated military simulation for war games and battlespace simulation; curated historical and synthetic datasets; scenario and benchmark repositories; connectors to doctrinal models and prior AI services; evaluation and validation in representative environments; interoperability and NATO/coalition standard considerations.

Eligibility and consortium:Applicants: beneficiaries and affiliated entities must be established in eligible EDF countries and have executive management in those countries. Associated partners, subcontractors and financial support to third parties are allowed under the rules in the call document. Consortium composition and mandatory multi-member requirements are specified in section 6 of the call document.

Security and ethics: proposals must follow EDF security rules for classified information handling where relevant (PSI/SCG) and complete ethics and security self-assessments in the application. Use of non-EU partners is possible but subject to EDF ownership/control and security restrictions.

1. 1Expected outputs: feasibility studies, detailed design of the AI framework, data and benchmark assets, demonstrator(s) for validation and interoperability guidance
2. 2Activities not covered: full prototyping, qualification and certification are out of scope for this RA call (see call document for permitted/mandatory activity types)
3. 3FSTP: financial support to third parties is allowed under conditions in Annex 4 of the call document

How to apply: submit a separate proposal for this topic via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the EDF Research Actions application templates and follow the Portal submission steps and admissibility rules. Proposals must respect page limits and Annex templates (Part B upload, budget tables, security and ownership declarations where applicable).

Footnotes

1. 1Full call documentation, topic description, eligibility rules, templates and security provisions are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal call page EDF-2026-RA-SIMTRAIN-MSAI Topic Page.

Modelling & simulation supported AI framework for military decision-making and training (EDF-2026-RA-SIMTRAIN-MSAI)

Essential facts and timeline

This topic seeks to assess the feasibility of creating a defence AI framework that accelerates tactical intelligence development by assembling military simulation capabilities, historical datasets, scenario and benchmark repositories, doctrinal models, and outputs from prior AI services. It aims to enable a common simulation framework for war-gaming/combat simulations and enhance learning support in mission planning and execution, including AI-enabled battlespace simulation. The topic contributes to STEP objectives in the target investment area of deep and digital technologies.

Who can apply and under which conditions

Geographic and entity eligibility

Eligible beneficiaries and affiliated entities must be legal entities established in EU Member States or in an EDF associated country (currently Norway). They must have their executive management structure in an eligible country. Entities controlled by a non-associated third country/entity may participate only if national authorities approve ownership/control guarantees compliant with Article 9(4) of the EDF Regulation; otherwise, their participation/funding is restricted. Subcontractors involved in the action must also be established in the EU or Norway, and key work must be performed within eligible countries. Associated partners not fulfilling these conditions may participate exceptionally under strict safeguards and without EU funding.

Consortium composition

For this topic, multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory. In line with EDF rules for Research Actions, a consortium typically includes at least three independent entities from at least three different EU Member States and/or Norway. The topic explicitly states multi-beneficiary applications are required and specific consortium composition conditions apply (detailed in section 6 of the call fiche).

Scope, activities, and technical expectations

Proposals must investigate solutions in the simulation area and cover at least two use cases across force readiness, operational support, and capability development. They must identify multinational preconditions for AI use in defence, assess state-of-the-art technologies, research gaps, needs and requirements, and ensure compliance with NATO and coalition standards to enable interoperability with diverse assets and operational domains. Proposals should also demonstrate capabilities to integrate AI for simulation purposes.

Targeted types of activities (eligible under EDF Article 10(3)):Studies (mandatory). Design (mandatory). Generating knowledge (optional). Integrating knowledge (optional). Prototyping, testing, qualification, certification and lifecycle efficiency actions are not eligible under this Research Action.

Mandatory tasks (Studies and Design):Identify research gaps, needs and requirements for AI development principles in a multinational defence context, covering: training technologies, technological enablers, standardisation; analysis of state-of-the-art system architectures across EU Member States and Norway; survey of disruptive technology impacts; AI brittleness and bias monitoring/mitigation in AI outputs and human decision-making; specific interoperability challenges in live systems integration; early concepts for AI use. Cover AI core components: data ingestion and processing with common defence ontologies; ML and analytics (predictive modelling, threat analysis, autonomous decision support); human-AI collaboration interfaces; cybersecurity and resilience including adversarial robustness, dataset poisoning resilience, graceful degradation, adaptive role reallocation; simulation and training modules (AI support to trainees and simulation analysis); how an AI framework contributes to training scenarios and operational support; operational scenarios and use cases; methods for measuring training and model performance. Identify data sources for AI learning (simulation, real-world/synthetic streams, historical data, benchmark datasets, doctrinal models, human performance). Support re-playing data streams to test AI solutions in realistic settings. Research military data models, ontologies and standards enabling interoperability between AI services. Facilitate reuse, interoperability and integration of datasets and AI components to accelerate new solution development. Define standards to export AI outputs for consumption by C2 and simulation systems and by novel human-machine interfaces. Design and demonstrate technological novelties to improve realism/efficiency of the AI framework. Design and demonstrate customised solutions leveraging the framework for operational needs. Demonstrate and evaluate a representative multi-national combat simulation scenario. Address at least two of the use cases listed below.

Required coverage of at least two use cases (choose min. two):Case 1: End-to-end performance assessment of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) system-of-systems functional chains integrating real C2 systems, M&S-based AI for synthetic force-on-force engagements, and legacy human-in-the-loop simulation enhanced with AI. Must include: preparation stage (AI to auto-generate synthetic terrain for virtual/constructive simulation, scenario/OPORD, experiment sequences, technical and cognitive KPIs); execution stage (fully AI-based M&S with physics/behaviour models suitable for MDO, enriched by military procedures and ROE; focus on VV&A of AI models; AI-driven SA monitoring and guidance); analysis stage (AI auto-generates graphics from recorded data including metrics, highlights functional chain performance, detects inconsistencies, produces rationales and corrective proposals). Case 2: Human–Machine Teaming (HMT): adaptive levels of automation; role/authority transitions; achieving/sustaining effective human–AI collaboration (adaptable role allocation, dynamic interaction, human authority retention, decision under uncertainty); AI agents as team members; shared human–AI understanding of context, goals, threats and plans; cognitive workload management; simulation-based training covering taskwork and teamwork; exposure to unpredictable AI behaviours/failures/adversarial actions; clear metrics for team performance (SA, trust, workload, communication, decision quality, resilience, overall team effectiveness) and usability evaluation; integration of human factors into risk assessment (cognitive load, stress, fatigue, trust calibration, interaction patterns). Case 3: Course of Action (COA) development and comparison: AI to automatically generate multiple COAs (friend/enemy) using reinforcement learning, monitoring COP during live operations, exploiting relevant online data to maximise SA; simulation to assess COAs via AI models; automatic order generation for chosen COA; goal is to reduce time and increase effectiveness in COA development, analysis, comparison, selection and order production.

Optional activities (if covered):Generating knowledge. Integrating knowledge.

Standards, interoperability and coalition aspects:Ensure compliance with NATO standards and other coalition frameworks to enable extended interaction across operational domains. Define interfaces so that AI framework outputs are consumable by C2/simulation systems and HMI concepts.

Expected impact:Accelerate innovation in military M&S systems across the EU; enable a unified, reusable AI development environment for persistent military training/exercises/rehearsal; enhance mission planning/execution learning support with AI-enabled battlespace simulation; foster interoperability and doctrinal consistency; contribute to STEP deep and digital technologies objectives.

Financial framework and cost eligibility

Research Actions are funded at a rate of 100% of eligible costs. The grant form is budget-based with actual costs (with options for certain simplified cost methods where foreseen). Equipment costs are reimbursed by depreciation only for this topic. Financial support to third parties (cascade funding) is allowed within the ceiling set by the call and Annex 4 of the Call Fiche. VAT that is deductible/refundable is ineligible. Only costs incurred in eligible countries are eligible, with very limited exceptions that are not reimbursable. Subcontracting must follow best value for money/no conflict of interest and certain tasks cannot be subcontracted (e.g., WP leadership). Subcontracting typically should remain a limited share per beneficiary in EDF (strict caps may apply in other EDF lines; core tasks should remain with beneficiaries).

Indicative budget and award size:€16,000,000 indicative topic budget; EU contribution per proposal must not exceed €8,000,000; several proposals may be funded.

Business coaching and SME aspects:Successful SME beneficiaries may be offered business coaching. SME/mid-cap participation is encouraged and may attract EDF bonuses where applicable under programme rules.

Application process and required templates

Submission:Single-stage electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Part B and annexes must be uploaded as a single password-protected ZIP archive using AES-256 encryption, as specified in the call document. EU Funding & Tenders Portal

Core forms and annexes (available in the Submission System or reference library):Part A administrative forms (auto-generated). Part B technical description template (structure and page limits as per call). Detailed Budget Table (EDF RA). Participant Information (EDF) — includes legal data, sites, management locations, key staff, prior projects, affiliated entities and associated partners; security and control aspects. List of Infrastructure, Facilities, Assets and Resources (EDF) — includes precise locations, ownership, FSC status, justifications for any non-eligible country use (note: such use is not reimbursable). Actual Indirect Cost Methodology Declaration (EDF) — required if declaring actual indirect costs instead of the 25% flat-rate; includes description of accounting methodology and confirmation by national pricing authority. Ownership Control Declaration and, where applicable, Ownership Control Guarantee and approval by the competent national authority — required where participants are non-EU/Norway controlled and seek derogation under Article 9(4) EDF Regulation. PRS Declaration — only if access to Galileo PRS is needed. Model Grant Agreement (MGA) terms apply.

Structure of Part B (Technical Description) — highlights for applicants:Project summary. Excellence and potential of disruption (overall concept; compliance with objectives, scope, functional requirements, expected impact; strategic advantage). Innovation and technological development (novelty; complementarity with previous work; spin-offs). Competitiveness (advantage; growth potential; IP strategy). EDTIB autonomy, security of supply, and links to Member State priorities. Creation of new cross-border cooperation (incl. SMEs/mid-caps). Implementation (work plan; WPs; milestones/deliverables; consortium management; cost-effectiveness; risk management; communication and dissemination). Ethics and Security sections. Declarations (bonuses, PRS, international law, lethal autonomous weapons constraints; background/result restrictions; double funding; FSTP conditions). An Annex with the Detailed Budget Table/Calculator is mandatory.

Evaluation, award and security

Submission and evaluation follow section 8 of the Call Fiche and the Online Manual. Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are defined in section 9 of the Call Fiche. Proposals selected for funding undergo security scrutiny to determine any classification levels and to validate security arrangements. The Programme Security Instruction (PSI) for EDF applies; facility and personnel clearances may be required if classified information is foreseen. Communication and dissemination activities are subject to prior written approval by the granting authority where required by the MGA. The legal and financial set-up (section 10) defines reporting, payments, certificates, recoveries and liability regime (limited joint and several liability for recoveries by default).

Categorisation answers

Eligible Applicant Types:SMEs and mid-caps; large enterprises in the defence and dual-use sector; universities and higher education institutions; research and technology organisations; nonprofit foundations; public bodies and government-controlled entities; defence primes and systems integrators; public-private partnerships; NGOs with relevant technical roles (subject to eligibility). All must be established in EU Member States or Norway; recipients and subcontractors involved in the action must be EU/NO-based and compliant with ownership/control/security requirements.

Funding Type:Grant (budget-based, actual costs). Funding rate for Research Actions: 100% of eligible costs.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium. Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory for this topic. Typically at least three independent entities from three different EU Member States and/or Norway, with additional composition rules in section 6 of the Call Fiche.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States and EDF associated countries (currently Norway). Entities must be established in eligible countries with executive management there. Non-EU/NO-controlled entities require national guarantees under Article 9(4) of the EDF Regulation to be eligible; otherwise, restrictions apply. Associated partners from non-eligible countries may join exceptionally without funding and under strict safeguards.

Target Sector:Defence; artificial intelligence; modelling and simulation; command and control (C2); training and education technologies; software services; data and analytics; human–machine teaming; cyber resilience; standards and interoperability; STEP deep and digital technologies.

Mentioned Countries:EU Member States; Norway.

Project Stage:Research, design, and validation in representative simulation environments. Feasibility, architecture, standards, methodological design, and demonstrative evaluations; no prototyping/testing/qualification of products under this Research Action.

Funding Amount:Up to €8,000,000 per proposal; total indicative topic budget €16,000,000; several awards expected.

Application Type:Open call, single-stage, via EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Part B uploaded as one password-protected ZIP using AES-256, as per call document.

Nature of Support:Financial support (grant). Non-financial services: optional SME business coaching by EDF.

Application Stages:1 stage (single-stage submission and evaluation). Post-evaluation steps include security scrutiny and grant agreement preparation.

Success Rates:Not specified in the call documentation.

Co-funding Requirement:Not required for eligible costs (funding rate 100% for Research Actions). Any ineligible costs or non-funded activities must be covered by applicants. Equipment is reimbursed via depreciation only for this topic.

Templates: application form outline to guide applicants:Part A (online): general info; participants; budget; ethics and security tables; declarations. Part B (upload as encrypted ZIP): project summary; excellence and potential of disruption; objectives/scope/functional requirements/expected impact; innovation; complementarity; spin-offs; competitiveness; growth potential; IP strategy; EDTIB autonomy and security of supply; Member State priorities alignment; cross-border cooperation (incl. SMEs/mid-caps); implementation (WBS, WPs, tasks, milestones, deliverables, resources, timeline, management, quality assurance, cost-effectiveness, risk management, dissemination/communication); ethics (referencing Part A); security; declarations (PESCO bonus, SME/mid-cap bonus, PRS needs, international law, lethal autonomous weapons constraints, background/results free from third-country control, spinning-in results, previous PADR/EDIDP/EDF links, double funding, FSTP conditions). Annexes: Detailed Budget Table/Calculator (mandatory); Participant Information form (per participant; includes roles, sites, key staff, prior projects, affiliates/APs and security notes); List of infrastructure/facilities/assets/resources (with locations and FSC status); Actual Indirect Cost Methodology Declaration (if declaring actual indirects) with national authority confirmation; Ownership Control Declaration and, where applicable, Ownership Control Guarantee and national approval; PRS Declaration (if PRS access is needed).

Security, ethics, and compliance specifics

Projects may undergo security scrutiny; classification rules and the EDF Programme Security Instruction (PSI) apply. Where classified information is foreseen, beneficiaries may require Facility Security Clearance and personnel security clearances. Communication/dissemination require prior written approval when mandated by MGA Annex 5. Lethal autonomous weapons without meaningful human control are restricted; if applicable, clarify defensive purpose and early-warning/countermeasure nature under declarations. Background and results must not be subject to control or restriction by non-associated third countries/entities; applicants must ensure compliance and provide ownership/control guarantees where required.

Contacts and support

Use the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for partner search, topic Q&As, and helpdesk. National Focal Points (Member States and Norway) provide guidance on EDF participation. Reference materials include the Online Manual, EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Programme Security Instruction, EDF Regulation 2021/697, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, and the EDF Annual Work Programme 2026.

Long summary

EDF-2026-RA funds multi-country teams to design and demonstrate a reusable AI framework for defence modelling and simulation that accelerates tactical intelligence, training, and decision-support. The programme requires comprehensive studies and designs addressing AI data pipelines, ML analytics, human–AI collaboration, cybersecurity and resilience, and robust performance measurement. At least two concrete use cases must be tackled from end-to-end MDO performance assessment with real C2 and AI-enhanced simulations; human–machine teaming with adaptive automation and team metrics; and automated COA development, comparison, and order generation using reinforcement learning. Projects must ensure NATO/coalition interoperability and export AI outputs to C2/simulation/HMI environments via standardised interfaces and ontologies. With 100% funding of eligible costs, a maximum of €8 million per proposal, and an indicative topic budget of €16 million, the opportunity targets SMEs, mid-caps, large defence firms, universities, RTOs, and public bodies established in the EU or Norway. Multi-beneficiary consortia are mandatory, and strict ownership/control and security rules apply. Submissions are single-stage via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, using the EDF Part B structure and mandatory annexes (budget tables, participant info, infrastructure list, and where applicable indirect-cost methodology, ownership/control guarantees, and PRS declaration). Selected proposals will undergo security scrutiny and proceed to grant agreement preparation under the EDF Model Grant Agreement. Overall, the topic aims to create a continuous, scalable and interoperable AI environment for persistent military training and operational support, contributing to European strategic autonomy and STEP deep and digital technologies.

Footnotes

1. 1Authoritative rules, scope, eligibility, evaluation, legal-financial set-up, templates and instructions are defined in the Call Fiche and the Funding & Tenders Portal: Call Fiche (EDF-2026-RA); Topic page; Online Manual and reference documents in the Portal library.

Modelling & Simulation Supported AI Framework for Military Decision-Making and Training

Funding Opportunity Overview

This is a European Defence Fund (EDF) research action call designed to assess the feasibility of creating an AI framework for defence applications. The framework will serve as a springboard for developing future tactical intelligence concepts by providing military simulation capabilities, historical data sets, rich scenario and benchmark databases, access to doctrinal models, and output from previously developed AI services. The opportunity enables a common simulation framework for war games and combat simulations with potential to facilitate improved learning support in mission planning and execution, including through AI-enabled battlespace simulation.

Call Identifier:EDF-2026-RA

Programme:European Defence Fund (EDF)

Opening Date:11 February 2026

Deadline:29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time

Funding Information

Indicative Total Budget for Topic:€16,000,000

Maximum EU Contribution per Proposal:€8,000,000

Funding Rate:100% of eligible costs for research actions

Number of Proposals Expected to be Funded:Several proposals may be funded under this topic

Type of Action and Grant

Type of Action:Research Actions (RA) implemented via actual cost grants. Studies and design activities, not excluding upstream and downstream activities eligible for research actions.

Form of Grant:Budget-based mixed actual cost action grant

Eligible Countries

Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must be established in European Union Member States or associated countries (currently Norway). Only participants established in eligible countries with their executive management structure in an eligible country may participate as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, or subcontractors involved in the action. Non-EU entities may participate as associated partners without the right to charge costs or claim contributions, subject to security and defence interest requirements.

Consortium Requirements

Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory for this topic, with specific conditions for consortium composition applying. Proposals must include entities from at least three different EU Member States or associated countries for standard calls, though the precise requirements should be verified in the detailed call documentation.

Scope and Objectives

The objective of this topic is to assess the feasibility of creating an AI framework for defence applications that enables EU countries to develop and accelerate innovation of military modelling and simulation systems. The call focuses on a unified framework for tactical intelligence and decision-making, including connection to command and control systems, synthetic training environments, and management of historical data sets and doctrine. The framework will enable users of command and control applications and training systems support, with potential testing of future human-machine interaction concepts for military users ¹.

Key Research Areas

• Identifying research gaps, needs and requirements for AI development in multi-national defence contexts
• Investigating state-of-the-art system architectures across EU Member States and associated countries
• Assessing impact of disruptive technologies on AI development principles
• Addressing brittleness of AI systems and identification, monitoring and mitigation of biases
• Identifying interoperability challenges in live systems integration
• Covering AI core components including data ingestion and processing, machine learning and analytics engines, human-AI collaboration interfaces, cybersecurity and resilience
• Developing simulation and training modules using AI for trainee support and simulation result analysis
• Identifying data sources including simulation data, real-world or synthetic data streams, historical data, benchmark data sets, doctrinal models, and human performance data
• Research on military data models, ontologies and standards for interoperability between AI services
• Standards for exporting AI solution outputs for consumption by end-user command and control and simulation systems

Mandatory Use Cases

Proposals must address at least two of the four following use cases ¹:

1. 1End-to-end performance assessment of Multi-Domain Operations system of systems functional chains including real command and control systems, modelling and simulation-based AI providing synthetic force-on-force engagement and legacy human-in-the-loop simulation enhanced with AI
2. 2Human-machine teaming addressing adaptive levels of automation, allowing flexible situation-dependent transitions between human and AI control, and exploring achievement and sustainability of effective human-AI collaboration
3. 3Course of actions development and comparison as part of operational planning process using AI to generate automatically several courses of action and military options
4. 4Additional use cases as specified in detailed call documentation

Project Duration and Timeline

The specific project duration is not stated in the call metadata, but applicants should refer to the detailed call documentation and the application form for exact duration requirements. Project duration is normally determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the scope and activities proposed.

Eligible Costs

Under research actions funded by the EDF, beneficiaries may declare the following eligible cost categories:

• Personnel costs for employees, natural persons under direct contract, seconded persons, and SME owners or natural person beneficiaries
• Subcontracting costs for action tasks, subject to a limit of less than 30 percent of total costs per beneficiary
• Purchase costs for equipment (depreciation only for this topic), travel and subsistence, and other goods, works and services
• Other cost categories including financial support to third parties and internally invoiced goods and services
• Indirect costs at a flat-rate of 25 percent of eligible direct costs (categories A-D, except volunteers costs, subcontracting costs, financial support to third parties and exempted specific cost categories) or actual costs according to usual cost accounting practices if certified by national authorities

Equipment Cost Eligibility

For this topic, equipment costs must be declared as depreciation only. Purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets used for the action must be declared as depreciation costs, calculated on the basis of costs actually 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 action duration can be taken into account.

Ineligible Costs

The following are not eligible: costs related to return on capital and dividends, debt and debt service charges, provisions for future losses, interest owed, currency exchange losses, excessive or reckless expenditure, deductible or refundable VAT, costs incurred during grant agreement suspension, in-kind contributions by third parties, costs declared under other EU grants (except under specific conditions), and costs for staff of national administration for their normal activities.

Applicant Eligibility and Participation

Applicants must be legal entities or natural persons with legal personality established in eligible countries. They must demonstrate financial and operational capacity to carry out the proposed project. Beneficiaries must not be subject to any exclusion grounds under EU financial regulations. Financial capacity will be assessed at the grant agreement preparation stage for newly established entities.

SME and Mid-cap Considerations

Small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-caps are welcome to participate. SME status must be self-assessed and validated through the Participant Register (self-assessment not older than 2 years). Successful SME beneficiaries will be offered business coaching to accelerate their growth and guide them in business challenges to reach the defence market ².

Security and Classification Requirements

This action may involve EU classified information or materials requiring protection against unauthorised disclosure. Beneficiaries and subcontractors involved in handling classified information must comply with the Programme Security Instruction (PSI) applicable to the action. Classification levels will be determined during security scrutiny for successful proposals. Facility Security Clearances and Personnel Security Clearances may be required depending on the classification level of information involved ³.

Security Aspects Letter:A Security Aspects Letter (SAL) will form an integral part of the grant agreement for proposals involving classified information, identifying security requirements and elements requiring security protection.

Specific Topic Conditions

• Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory with specific conditions for consortium composition
• Equipment cost reimbursement is depreciation only
• Financial support to third parties is allowed but only within the set ceiling
• The action contributes to the STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) objectives in the target investment area of deep and digital technologies

Expected Impact

The outcome of the action should contribute to scientific and technological improvements for the foundation of future technology with disruptive applications in defence, enhance innovation capacity of the European defence industry, improve competitiveness of European defence industry and create new defence markets, enhance defence research and innovation capacity across Europe, and provide harmonised solutions for future military systems that can drive defence capability needs of EU Member States and associated countries.

Application Process and Documentation

Applications must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal before the deadline of 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. The application consists of Part A (administrative information completed in the Portal system) and Part B (narrative technical description) which must be uploaded as a single password-protected zip archive.

Required Documents

• Standard application form specific to this call (available in the submission system)
• Detailed budget table
• Participant information for each participating organisation
• List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources (if applicable)
• Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (if claiming actual indirect costs)
• Ownership control declaration
• Ownership control guarantee (if controlled by non-associated third country)
• Public Regulated Service (PRS) declaration (if Galileo PRS access is needed)
• Model Grant Agreement (for reference)

Evaluation and Selection

Proposals will be evaluated against award criteria set out in the call document. The evaluation process includes assessment of excellence and potential of disruption, innovation and technological development, competitiveness, EDTIB autonomy, creation of new cross-border cooperation, and implementation capacity. Successful proposals will be invited to grant agreement preparation following evaluation by independent expert evaluators.

Evaluation Timeline:Detailed in section 4 of the call document; indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement preparation will be provided by the granting authority

Payment Arrangements

Grant payments are structured as follows: initial prefinancing payment will be made within 30 days of entry into force or starting date (whichever is latest), subject to submission of prefinancing guarantees if required. Additional prefinancing or interim payments may be made upon submission of periodic reports demonstrating eligible costs incurred. Final payment is made following submission of the final periodic report with financial statements and supporting documentation, typically within 90 days of receiving the report.

Late Payment Interest:European Central Bank rate plus 3.5 percent

Reporting Obligations

Beneficiaries must submit periodic technical and financial reports according to the schedule set out in the Data Sheet of the grant agreement. Reports must include overview of action implementation, financial statements detailing eligible costs by budget category, and certificates on financial statements (if required). Continuous reporting on deliverables, milestones and outcomes must be submitted through the Portal Continuous Reporting tool.

Key Legal Framework

• Regulation (EU) 2021/697 - European Defence Fund Regulation
• Regulation (EU) 2024/2509 - EU Financial Regulation (recast)
• Regulation (EU) 2024/795 - STEP Regulation establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform
• Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444 - Security rules for protecting EU classified information
• EDF Model Grant Agreement and Specific Rules (available in Portal)

Contact and Support

For technical assistance with the EU Funding and Tenders Portal, contact the IT Helpdesk through the Portal. For substantive questions about the call, refer to the FAQ section and online manual available on the Portal. National Focal Points appointed by EU Member States can provide guidance on participation in EDF calls.

Important Reminders

• Proposals must be submitted before the deadline; late submissions will not be accepted
• Each proposal must address only this one topic; applicants wishing to apply for multiple topics must submit separate proposals
• Do not start project activities before the grant agreement is signed, unless explicitly authorised in the call conditions
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws regarding taxes, labour, social security, and procurement
• Maintain detailed records and supporting documentation for at least 5 years after final payment
• Be prepared for security scrutiny and potential classification of project deliverables
• Arrange consortium agreement and internal management structures before submission

Footnotes

1. 1Detailed scope, objectives and use cases are described in section 2.7 of the EDF-2026-RA Call document (EDF-2026-RA topic), available on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.
2. 2Business coaching is part of the EDF support to SME beneficiaries to accelerate their growth and guide them in business challenges for reaching the defence market, as provided in the EDF Regulation 2021/697.
3. 3Security clearance requirements and procedures are established in the Programme Security Instruction (PSI) which will be provided to successful applicants or as specified in the Security Aspects Letter forming part of the grant agreement.