New abilities in over-the-horizon sensing

European Defence Fund call EDF-2026-LS funds development actions to advance high-frequency over-the-horizon (OTH) sensing and a cognitive, scalable EU HF OTH sensor network with an indicative topic budget of €29,000,000 and a single-stage submission deadline of 29 September 2026 (17:00 Brussels time). Multi-beneficiary consortia with at least two independent beneficiaries from two eligible countries are mandatory and proposals must include mandatory studies and design activities aimed at progressing technologies from TRL 2–3 to TRL 5–6, with optional prototyping and testing contingent on Member State procurement intent. Funding is provided as EDF lump sum grants with activity-dependent baseline rates and possible bonuses (SME, mid-cap, PESCO) and cascade funding to third parties is allowed within set ceilings. Full call description, templates and submission are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal at ec.europa.eu.

New abilities in over-the-horizon sensing — EDF-2026-LS-DA-DIS-OTHR

Summary

What the call funds

Development and design studies to advance high-frequency (HF) over-the-horizon (OTH) sensing and an EU concept for a cognitive, scalable HF OTH radar network. Work should cover integration of HF surface-wave (active, cooperative and non-cooperative passive) and sky-wave radar technologies, ionospheric sensing/models, cognitive spectrum management, AI/ML for signal processing and tracking, and proof-of-concept demonstrators leading towards prototype-scale development.

Funding available:Indicative budget €29,000,000; normally one proposal funded under this topic ¹

Who can apply

Multi‑beneficiary consortia of legal entities established in EDF eligible countries. Beneficiaries, affiliated entities and subcontractors must have executive management in an eligible country; associated partners from non-eligible countries may participate without EU funding under strict conditions. See call document for country list and ownership/control rules.

1. 1Minimum consortium: at least 2 independent beneficiaries from 2 different eligible countries (check call text for exact composition requirements).
2. 2Eligible participants: public or private legal entities established in Member States or EDF-associated countries (Norway where applicable).
3. 3Subcontractors and associated partners must comply with EDF eligibility rules; third‑country participation may be allowed under restrictions and guarantees.

Project scope and expected TRL

Mandatory studies and design activities, optional demonstrators/prototyping and testing. Proposals should target an increase of the technology TRL from about TRL 2–3 to TRL 5–6 and deliver a proof-of-concept design and testbed for future prototype-scale work.

Key administrative notes

1. 1Call uses EDF Lump Sum Grants (LS-DA). Part B (technical) must be uploaded as a password-protected ZIP; follow submission rules in the call document.
2. 2Specific security, ownership/control and co-financing declarations are mandatory where applicable; facility and personnel security clearances may be required for classified work.
3. 3Financial rules: lump-sum reimbursement based on lump-sum breakdown in Annex 2; indirect costs options and equipment rules follow EDF call templates.

Apply via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal submission service. Follow all mandatory annex templates (detailed budget table, participant information, ownership control, co‑financing, harmonised capability or procurement intent where relevant) and the page limits for Part B.

Footnotes

1. 1Topic page and submission entry: EU Funding & Tenders Portal — Topic EDF-2026-LS-DA-DIS-OTHR.

European Defence Fund (EDF) 2026 — New abilities in over-the-horizon sensing (EDF-2026-LS-DA-DIS-OTHR)

Programme: European Defence Fund (EDF) — Development actions implemented via lump sum grants targeting disruptive technologies for defence (EDF-2026-LS-DA-DIS). Type of action: EDF-LS (EDF Lump Sum Grants). Model Grant Agreement: EDF Lump Sum Grant [EDF-AG-LS]. Opening date: 11 February 2026. Deadline: 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Submission model: Single-stage. Official topic page: EDF-2026-LS-DA-DIS-OTHR. Call fiche (full conditions): Call document PDF.

Scope and objectives

The topic aims to enhance EU situational awareness and operational superiority by advancing high-frequency (HF) over-the-horizon (OTH) sensing. It pursues an EU concept for a cognitive, scalable network of HF OTH sensors enabling deep cooperation and data sharing for strategic surveillance. Both surface-wave (active, cooperative and non-cooperative passive) and sky-wave OTH radar technologies must be explored and integrated to combine long-range coverage with agile gap-filling. The topic contributes to the STEP objectives in deep and digital technologies.

Strategic objective:Follow up and complement prior EU OTH radar activities to progress toward an EU OTH radar network concept, increasing coverage and improving detection and tracking of challenging targets (hypersonic threats, slow surface targets, low-observable targets) over large maritime and airspace areas (e.g., Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic).

Expected TRL progression:From TRL 2-3 to TRL 5-6 across involved technologies.

Mandatory activities and key tasks

• Studies (mandatory): cognitive approaches for a network of HF-OTH active/passive radars (node/system-level resource management including illuminators of opportunity (IoO) and COMINT/SIGINT/ELINT modes); feasibility study of an AI/ML big-data experimentation framework; intelligent electromagnetic spectrum management; multistatic tracking and adaptive filtering algorithms; long-distance synchronisation (including immediate synchronisation via sky-wave signals for longest ranges and GNSS-denied operation).
• Design (mandatory): on-site multi-sensor tracker and fusion concepts; AI/ML framework specifications with risk reduction analysis; architectural design of a radio-frequency synchronisation system.

Recommended additional studies and designs

• Minimalistic OTH-B sensor concept (antenna, transmitter, receiver).
• Use of existing HF sources for OTH-B sensing.
• Range studies for HF OTH-B and HF radar in Europe with emphasis on static atmospheric noise.
• Real-time atmospheric propagation models leveraging ionospheric sensing and advanced stratification models.
• New signal processing techniques: clutter mitigation; improved tracking/localisation; hybrid sky/surface/LOS, MIMO; reducing/using multipath and Doppler fading.
• Very long baseline issues: installation synchronisation; direct signal disturbance mitigation; passive mode exploitation of (non-)cooperative HF-band illuminators.
• Support for multiple radar configurations and footprint management for passive/cooperative/active constellations.
• HF sky-wave radar focus areas: SDR receiver architectures; transmitter power amplifier architectures; waveforms and coding; weak remote signal reception and analysis; novel antenna elements/arrays/scanning.
• Designs: distributed modular multi-channel receivers for large arrays with simultaneous sky-wave and surface-wave reception; real-time detection processing for both illumination paths; rapidly deployable nodes; minimalistic OTH-B demonstrator design.

Optional prototyping and demonstrations

• Experimental prototype of an OTH-B sensor.
• Experimental prototype of an HF radar.
• Experimental prototype of a passive HF radar using suitable existing HF radiation sources.

Functional requirements

• Long-range OTH detection and tracking of air and sea targets (e.g., large aircraft, vessels >25 knots).
• Gap-filling and extension of EU air/sea radar coverage via a collaborative, synchronised sensor network.
• Advanced ionospheric sounding networks and validated models enabling cognitive radar management.
• Advanced signal processing for improved OTH detection, tracking and localisation.
• Robust operation under challenging environments, jamming, congested/contested spectrum, and anthropogenic interferences.
• Big data, real-time processing capacity; integration of multiple AI/ML applications.

Expected impacts

• Infrastructure and capabilities for OTH radar R&D across participating Member States.
• Collaborative operational exploitation of active and passive OTH radar networking.
• Real-time ionospheric propagation model integration to support operations.
• Foundations for future research on detection of extra-atmospheric and hypersonic objects.
• Identification of critical components and units; strengthened industry–research collaboration.
• Enhanced resilience and security of operations under diverse geophysical conditions with AI/ML assistance.
• Robust concept for longest-range surveillance combining surface-wave and sky-wave OTH-R within the EU.
• Improved detection of low-observable targets; reduced strategic dependencies of the Union.

Budget, funding rates and co-funding

Indicative topic budget: €29,000,000. Indicative number of grants: normally 1 (more possible subject to quality and budget availability). Project budgets must be commensurate with the topic budget; the awarded grant may be lower than requested.

Funding model — Lump Sum Grants for Development Actions (LS-DA):Reimbursement based on a fixed lump sum per work package derived from an estimated project budget that must comply with actual-cost eligibility principles. Baseline funding rates per activity with possible bonuses (PESCO, SME, mid-cap) up to specified maxima.

Bonuses: PESCO +10 percentage points; SME bonus linked to share of eligible costs, with higher weight for cross-border SMEs; mid-cap bonus +10 percentage points for ≥15% of eligible costs. WP1 Project management must use the Studies rate. Equipment: depreciation, with full cost allowed for listed equipment in prototyping WPs. Indirect costs: 25% flat-rate or actual indirects with national authority acceptance and the required declaration. VAT: non-deductible/non-refundable VAT is eligible (with public-authority exception). Country restrictions: only costs for activities carried out in eligible countries are eligible.

Co-funding:For Development Actions, beneficiaries must demonstrate financing for the share not covered by EDF. A mandatory Co-financing Declaration must be submitted by each co-financer at proposal stage, detailing amounts, timelines, process, and expected IPR-related return. Template: Co-financing declaration template.

Eligibility and consortium

• Applicants: legal entities (public or private) established in EU Member States including OCTs, and EDF associated countries (currently Norway). Executive management must be in eligible countries. Entities controlled by non-associated third countries require Member State-approved guarantees under EDF Reg. Art. 9(4). Individuals are not eligible, except self-employed sole traders without separate legal personality.
• International organisations: not eligible unless composed exclusively of EU/associated countries and with executive management in an eligible country.
• Subcontractors involved in the action and associated partners must also meet establishment/control conditions; associated partners outside eligible countries may participate exceptionally without funding under strict safeguards and granting authority agreement.
• Minimum consortium: at least 2 independent beneficiaries from 2 different eligible countries. Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory for this topic.
• Design activities require evidence of harmonised defence capability requirements jointly agreed by at least two Member States or associated countries (or a joint intent if studies are still needed). Template: Harmonised capability declaration.
• If prototyping/testing/qualification/certification are included, at least two Member States or associated countries must intend to procure or jointly use the technology; and common technical specifications must be jointly agreed (or joint intent if design still needed). Template: Declaration on procurement intent and common technical specifications.

Security, ethics and classified information

• Projects must comply with highest ethical standards and applicable EU, international, and national law. An ethics review may impose specific ethics deliverables.
• Projects may involve classification; a Security Aspects Letter (SAL) will annex to the Grant Agreement. No funding for projects involving TRES SECRET UE/EU TOP SECRET. FSC, PSC and secured areas may be required for handling EUCI (see Commission Decision 2015/444 and EDF PSI).
• Ownership/control restrictions apply; beneficiaries and key participants must provide Ownership Control Declarations; guarantees may be required and approved by national authorities. Templates: Ownership control guarantee.
• If Galileo PRS information is needed, a PRS declaration from competent authorities is required. Template: PRS declaration.
• Subcontracting involving classified information to entities in non-EU states requires prior written approval and applicable security-of-information arrangements.

Evaluation and award

Single-step evaluation by an evaluation committee with outside experts. Standard admissibility and eligibility checks apply. Award criteria (max 55 points; overall threshold 37 points) with weighting: Excellence and potential of disruption (x2), Innovation and technological development (x1), Competitiveness (x1), EDTIB autonomy (x2), Creation of new cross-border cooperation (x2), Lifecycle efficiency (x1), Member State cooperation (x1), Implementation (x1). Priority order for ties follows Excellence/disruption, then Innovation/tech dev, Competitiveness, and Cross-border cooperation.

Application and submission

• Electronic submission only via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal topic page. Deadline: 29 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels.
• Part A (online): administrative data and summarised budget.
• Part B and Annexes: upload as a single AES-256 password-protected ZIP (password to DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS-PWD@ec.europa.eu before the deadline, including proposal ID and ZIP name). Page limit for Part B: 100 pages including WP descriptions.
• If proposals include classified information, contact DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu well before the deadline to arrange delivery outside the portal.
• Partner search functionality is available on the Portal; NFPs and info days support are available. General support: IT Helpdesk (accounts/roles/submission), Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual.

Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) and SME business coaching

• FSTP is allowed under this topic (e.g., cascade funding). Maximum €60,000 per third party. Proposals must describe FSTP implementation, selection, activities, and impact.
• Successful SME beneficiaries will receive business coaching under EDF to accelerate growth and support defence market access.

Key deliverables and synergies

• Proposals must show complementarity with EDF-2021-DIS-RDIS-2 “New technologies for air and sea long range detection” (planned/ongoing/completed activities), and describe synergies with other EU programmes where relevant.
• Mandatory progress reports every 6–12 months will be set during grant preparation; continuous reporting via the Portal.

Templates and required annexes at proposal stage

• Detailed budget table (EDF LS DA): defines lump sum breakdown and funding rates.
• Participant Information (EDF): organisational profile, key staff, relevant projects, affiliated entities/associated partners. Template: Participant information.
• List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources: includes precise locations, FSC status if applicable, and justifications for any non-eligible country resources (note: such costs are not eligible). Template: List of infrastructures/facilities/assets/resources.
• Co-financing Declaration(s): mandatory when EDF does not cover 100% (DA context). Template above.
• Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (if using actual indirects): signed by participant and competent national pricing authority. Template: Actual indirect cost methodology.
• Harmonised defence capability requirements declaration: mandatory for projects with design activities. Template above.
• Declaration on procurement intent and common technical specifications: mandatory if prototyping/testing/qualification/certification are included. Template above.
• Ownership control declaration(s) and, where applicable, Ownership control guarantees approved by competent national authority. Guarantee template above.
• PRS declaration (if Galileo PRS access is needed). Template above.
• Standard Application Form (EDF) Part B technical narrative and work packages: see structure in the Application Form reference document Application form (EDF) structure.
• Model Grant Agreement for reference: EDF/ASAP/EDIRPA Lump Sum MGA.
• Programme Security Instruction (PSI) reference: EDF PSI.

Administrative and legal highlights

• Subcontracting should remain limited; in EDF some calls fix strict limits. Work package leadership cannot be subcontracted; associated partners cannot lead WPs.
• Equipment purchase costs are typically declared as depreciation; full cost may be accepted exceptionally for prototyping equipment per call conditions.
• Country-of-origin constraints: results and background cannot be subject to control/restriction by non-associated third countries/entities; non-compliance renders projects ineligible.
• Intra-EU transfer of defence-related items must ensure the Commission/EU bodies’ audit rights; consider end-user commitments and internal consortium arrangements to minimize repeated EUCs.
• Liability regime: limited joint and several liability with individual ceilings up to each beneficiary’s maximum grant amount (unless otherwise set in the Data Sheet).

Categorisation and structured information

Eligible Applicant Types:SMEs, startups, mid-caps, large enterprises, prime integrators, component manufacturers, universities, higher education institutions, research organisations, RTOs, nonprofit entities with defence R&D roles, and public bodies (national laboratories, defence agencies) established in eligible countries. International organisations are only eligible if composed exclusively of EU/associated countries and with executive management in an eligible country. Individuals are not eligible except self-employed sole traders without separate legal personality. Subcontractors involved in the action and associated partners must also meet establishment/control conditions; entities controlled by non-associated third countries may only participate with Member State-approved guarantees and subject to strict conditions and no EDF funding for certain roles.

Funding Type:Grant — Lump Sum Grants for Development Actions (EDF-LS-DA) with activity-dependent funding rates and bonuses.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium. Minimum 2 independent beneficiaries from 2 different eligible countries. For design activities, at least two Member States/associated countries must endorse harmonised defence capability requirements (or a joint intent). If prototyping/testing/qualification/certification are included, at least two Member States/associated countries must intend to procure/jointly use and define common technical specifications (or a joint intent if design still needed).

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States (including OCTs) and EDF associated countries (currently Norway). Executive management must be in eligible countries. Entities controlled by non-associated third countries require guarantees approved by the Member State/associated country of establishment. Associated partners from non-eligible countries may exceptionally participate without EDF funding under strict safeguards and granting authority agreement. Activities and eligible costs must occur in eligible countries.

Target Sector:Defence; radar and sensing; HF over-the-horizon surface-wave and sky-wave sensing; strategic surveillance; signal processing; spectrum management; AI/ML for ISR; big data/real-time processing; SDR receivers, RF synchronisation; antennas/arrays; electronic warfare-adjacent sensing; ionospheric science and propagation modelling. Also aligned with deep and digital technologies under STEP.

Mentioned Countries:United States of America, Russia, Australia (as references for existing OTH radars), Norway (EDF associated country), Ukraine (not eligible as beneficiary under EDF per Q&A). Regions/areas: Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Arctic Circle.

Project Stage:Research, design, and validation/demonstration via technology demonstrators. Expected TRL rise from 2-3 to 5-6. Optional prototyping and testing may be included with additional Member State commitments.

Funding Amount:Indicative topic budget €29,000,000. One grant expected (not fixed). Funding rates depend on activity type; studies/design/integrating knowledge can reach up to 100% with bonuses; prototyping up to 55%; testing up to 80%; qualification/certification up to 80%.

Application Type:Open call, single-stage submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Part A online; Part B and annexes uploaded as one encrypted ZIP.

Nature of Support:Monetary grant (lump sum) plus non-monetary support: SME business coaching. FSTP (cascade funding) may be included by beneficiaries to support third parties.

Application Stages:1 stage for submission and evaluation. Post-evaluation grant agreement preparation may require additional documents (e.g., FSC/PSC where needed, ownership control guarantees, PESCO confirmations, co-financing confirmations).

Success Rates:Not specified in the call documentation. The topic foresees funding for one proposal (more may be funded depending on quality and available budget).

Co-funding Requirement:Yes. Development Actions require applicants to secure co-financing for the share not covered by EDF. Mandatory Co-financing Declarations must be provided at submission. Funding rates by activity determine the EDF share; bonuses may increase the rate up to the maxima. For prototyping/testing/qualification/certification, additional Member State commitments are required (procurement intent and common specifications).

Templates — Application Form Structure and Annex Outline:Part A (online): general information; participants; summary budget; declarations. Part B (uploaded PDF within an encrypted ZIP): structured technical narrative including Project Summary; sections on Excellence and Disruption; Innovation and Tech Development; Competitiveness; EDTIB Autonomy; Cross-border Cooperation; Lifecycle Efficiency; Member State Cooperation; Implementation with WBS, Gantt/Pert, WPs, tasks, milestones, deliverables, timetable for ≤2 years or multi-year, resources and subcontracting table; consortium set-up and decision-making; PM/QA/M&E; financial management and cost-effectiveness; co-financing coherence; risk management with likelihood and impact; communication/dissemination/visibility; ethics and security; Declarations (PESCO, SME/mid-cap bonuses, PRS, lethal autonomous weapons exclusion, background/results free from restrictions, double funding). Mandatory annexes: Detailed budget table (EDF LS DA); Participant Information; List of infrastructures/facilities/assets/resources; Co-financing declarations; Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (if applicable); Harmonised capability declaration (if design present); Procurement intent and common specifications declaration (if prototyping/testing/qualification/certification present); Ownership control declarations and, where applicable, ownership control guarantees; PRS declaration (if needed). Refer to the Application Form reference for exact tags and structure: Application form (EDF) structure.

Comprehensive summary

EDF-2026-LS finances collaborative development actions to mature disruptive sensing technologies for defence by advancing HF over-the-horizon sensing toward an EU-wide cognitive, scalable OTH radar network. Proposals must deliver mandatory studies and design activities to progress technologies to TRL 5-6, integrate surface-wave and sky-wave approaches, and address complex challenges such as multistatic tracking, long-baseline synchronisation, spectrum management, and robust operations in contested environments. Demonstrators (reduced functionality or small-scale) and optional prototypes for OTH-B, HF active, and passive radars are encouraged. Functional requirements emphasise long-range detection/tracking over air and maritime domains, real-time big-data processing and AI/ML integration, and validated ionospheric modelling for adaptive radar management. The topic budget is €29 million, with typically one grant expected. Funding is via lump sums with activity-dependent rates and bonuses that can reach 100% for studies/design/integrating knowledge, and up to 55–80% for prototyping/testing/qualification/certification. Co-financing is required for the share not covered by EDF; formal co-financing declarations must accompany submissions. The security and ownership control framework is stringent: beneficiaries must be established and managed in eligible countries (EU and Norway), ensure results/background are free from third-country control or restrictions, and follow EDF security rules for classified information, potentially including FSC/PSC requirements. Design activities require harmonised defence capability requirements endorsed by at least two Member States or associated countries, and any prototyping/testing/qualification/certification requires multi-state procurement intent and common technical specifications. The single-stage call closes on 29 September 2026; Part A is completed online and Part B plus annexes are uploaded in a single password-protected ZIP. Evaluation scores prioritise disruption potential, EDTIB autonomy, and creation of new cross-border SME/mid-cap cooperation alongside sound implementation. Successful SME beneficiaries will also receive business coaching. The topic directly supports STEP priorities in deep and digital technologies and builds on prior EDF efforts (notably EDF-2021-DIS-RDIS-2), aiming to reduce strategic dependencies, strengthen EU-wide radar surveillance coverage, and deliver interoperable, future-proof sensing capabilities for Europe’s defence.

European Defence Fund 2026: New Abilities in Over-the-Horizon Sensing

Funding Opportunity Overview

This call EDF-2026-LS is part of the European Defence Fund Work Programme 2026 and targets development actions implementing lump sum grants for disruptive technologies in defence. The opportunity focuses on advancing over-the-horizon sensing capabilities through the development of high-frequency radar technologies and networked sensor systems to enhance situational awareness and operational superiority for EU Member States and associated countries. The initiative seeks to build an EU concept for a cognitive and scalable network of HF OTH sensors with deep cooperation and data sharing for strategic surveillance.

Call Identifier and Timing:EDF-2026-LS. Opening date: 11 February 2026. Deadline: 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Single-stage submission process.

Total Available Budget:€29,000,000 allocated for this specific topic. Indicative number of proposals to be funded: one. However, depending on quality of proposals and available budget, more than one proposal may be funded.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Requirements

Consortium Composition:Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory. Minimum of two independent applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities) from two different eligible countries are required. All participants must have their executive management structure established in eligible countries.

Eligible Countries:All EU Member States including overseas countries and territories (OCTs), plus EEA countries and countries associated to the EDF Programme. Norway is the current associated country. Ukraine participation is pending signature of the association agreement to EDF. Entities established in the EU or associated countries and not subject to control by non-associated third countries may participate as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, or subcontractors involved in the action.

Participant Types:Eligible participants include legal entities (public or private bodies), research organisations, SMEs, mid-caps, industry consortiums, and public bodies. All must be registered in the Participant Register and validated by the Central Validation Service before proposal submission. Associated partners and subcontractors must also comply with establishment and control requirements. Entities not established in eligible countries may participate as associated partners under specific conditions if they do not contravene EU and Member State security and defence interests.

Security and Ownership Control:Participants must not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or non-associated third-country entity unless they provide guarantees approved by the Member State or associated country where they are established. Ownership control declarations are mandatory. All participants must comply with EU and Member State security and defence interests. The Defence Fund emphasizes strategic autonomy and freedom of action.

Funding Structure and Financial Terms

Grant Type and Modality:EDF Lump Sum Grants for Development Actions (LS-DA). The grant reimburses a fixed amount (lump sum) based on estimated project budget and activity types, not actual costs incurred. Beneficiaries do not report detailed cost documentation but must substantiate proper work implementation and results achievement through records and supporting documents. Payment is fixed ex-ante at grant signature.

Baseline Funding Rates by Activity Type:Studies (feasibility studies): 90%. Design (including partial risk reduction tests): 65%. Integrating knowledge (interoperability, resilience, critical technologies): 65%. System prototyping: 20%. Testing: 45%. Qualification: 70%. Certification: 70%. Increasing efficiency across lifecycle: 65%. Project management and coordination activities use the 90% rate for studies. Non-cross-border activities receive baseline rates; cross-border activities may qualify for additional bonuses.

Bonus Funding Rates:PESCO bonus: additional 10% if project is developed within a permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) framework, confirmed by national coordinator at grant preparation. SME bonus (non-cross-border): up to 5% additional based on proportion of eligible costs allocated to SMEs established in same Member States as large beneficiaries, minimum 10% cost threshold. SME bonus (cross-border): up to 10% additional (double the cross-border SME proportion) when SMEs are in different Member States. Mid-cap bonus: additional 10% if at least 15% of eligible costs allocated to mid-caps (enterprises up to 3000 employees). Maximum total funding rate with all bonuses: 100%. SME and mid-cap bonuses require positive self-assessment in Participant Registry within current and prior two years.

Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP):Financial support to third parties is allowed under this call within specified ceilings. Maximum amount per third party recipient is €60,000. FSTP must be described in proposal showing how entities with relevant expertise contribute. Cascade funding mechanism enables inclusion of smaller innovators. FSTP is 100% funded but costs for organising FSTP are reimbursed under standard cost categories at applicable rates.

Payment Schedule and Arrangements:Initial prefinancing payment within 30 days of entry into force or financial guarantee (whichever latest). Interim payments (if applicable) up to 90% of maximum grant amount ceiling from approved periodic reports. Final payment following final periodic report within 90 days. Prefinancing may be distributed only if minimum number of beneficiaries (if specified) have acceded and only to those who acceded. Payments made to coordinator bank account in euros; coordinator responsible for distribution to other beneficiaries without unjustified delay.

Prefinancing Guarantee:May be required at granting authority discretion. If required, must be provided in euro by approved bank or financial institution established in EU (or exceptionally from non-EU offering equivalent security if accepted). Guarantor is first-call guarantor with no requirement to pursue principal debtor first. Guarantee remains explicitly in force until final payment; if final payment involves recovery, until five months after debit note notification. Released within following month after final payment conditions met.

Scope, Objectives and Expected Impact

Strategic Context:EU requirements for surveillance in the EU Capability Development Plan emphasise need for increased situational awareness through long-range radar systems. Over-the-horizon (OTH) radars detect targets over thousands of kilometres using skywave propagation (reflected from ionosphere) or hundreds of kilometres using surface waves (following Earth curvature). However, skywave radars have extensive blind zones (skip distance) leaving areas unilluminated. For geographically confined countries, collaborative air and maritime surveillance over large areas requires networked OTH radar operations. USA, Russia, Australia have developed operational OTH radar systems. This call seeks to build comparable European capability and create networked multi-domain radar architecture to enhance detection of challenging targets including hypersonic glide vehicles, stealth aircraft, and surface targets.

General Objective:Improve detection, tracking and identification capabilities over wide areas with increased range and minimum latency. Develop EU concept for cognitive and scalable network of high-frequency OTH sensors. Integrate different HF infrastructures (transmitters and receivers) in collaborative active and passive mode. Address blind zones in current systems through network cooperation. Support strategic surveillance of maritime and airspace across Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Arctic Circle and other EU geographical areas.

Specific Objectives:Follow up and complement previous OTH activities. Develop technologies for EU OTH radar network concept with deep cooperation and data sharing. Explore both high-frequency surface (active, cooperative, non-cooperative passive) and sky-wave radar technologies. Integrate technologies for their respective advantages in area coverage at long ranges and gap-filling in agile network. Increase coverage and improve detection and tracking of challenging targets including hypersonic targets, slow surface targets, low-observable targets. Technology readiness level advancement from TRL 2-3 to TRL 5-6 expected.

Expected Outcomes and Impact:Develop necessary infrastructure for participant Member States to conduct OTH radar research and development. Enable collaborative operational exploitation of OTH active and passive radar network. Incorporate ionospheric propagation models for real-time radar support. Investigate future research on detecting extra-atmospheric and hypersonic objects. Identify critical components and units in radar systems. Strengthen collaboration between industries and research institutes. Support enhanced, safe, secure operations in friendly and hostile environments under all geophysical conditions with AI/ML algorithms. Develop robust system concept for longest-range radar based on surface-wave and sky-wave OTH technology suited for EU territorial and maritime surveillance. Achieve competitive edge over low observable targets at varying altitudes. Reduce or prevent strategic dependencies of the Union through sovereign European capability development.

Contribution to STEP Objectives:Beyond defence technologies, this topic contributes to Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) objectives in target investment area of deep and digital technologies as defined in STEP Regulation (EU) 2024/795.

Types of Activities and Mandatory Requirements

Eligible Activity Categories:Generating knowledge: Not eligible. Integrating knowledge (interoperability, resilience, security of supply): Optional. Studies (feasibility studies): Mandatory. Design (product/component/technology design with technical specifications and partial risk reduction tests): Mandatory. System prototyping: Optional. Testing: Optional. Qualification: Optional. Certification: Optional. Increasing efficiency across lifecycle: Optional.

Mandatory Study Activities:Cognitive approaches development for network of HF-OTH active/passive radars including resource management at node and system level, management of available illuminators of opportunity, and specific modes such as COMINT/SIGINT/ELINT. Feasibility study of developing AI/ML framework for experimentation based on big data. Intelligent electromagnetic spectrum management. Tracking and adaptive filtering algorithms for multistatic configuration. Synchronisation issues over long distances including immediate synchronisation with sky-wave signals and operation in GNSS denied environment.

Mandatory Design Activities:On-site multi-sensor tracker and tracker concepts to fuse detects from multiple sensors. AI/ML framework design with technical specifications and risk reduction analysis. Architectural design of radio-frequency synchronisation system.

Strongly Recommended Additional Activities:Concept study of minimalistic working OTH-B sensor including antenna, transmitter, receiver. Study of possible existing HF sources for OTH-B sensing. Range study of HF OTH-B and HF radar in Europe emphasising static atmospheric noise. Real-time atmospheric propagation models based on ionospheric sensing. Signal processing techniques for clutter mitigation, tracking improvement, target localisation, hybrid modes, MIMO configuration. Multipath and Doppler fading reduction. Very long baseline issues including synchronisation, direct signal disturbance mitigation, passive mode exploitation. Multiple radar configuration support for footprint management. HF sky-wave radar research including receiver architectures (SDR), transmitter technologies, signal waveforms and coding, weak remote signal reception, novel antenna designs. Distributed modular multi-channel receiver station design for sky-wave and surface-wave signals. Rapidly deployable nodes design. Minimalistic demonstrator design. System prototyping demonstrations of working experimental prototypes for OTH-B sensor, HF radar, passive HF radar with suitable illumination sources.

Functional Requirements:System must operate at long over-the-horizon ranges far beyond current systems. System must detect and track air and sea targets including large aircraft and ships moving above 25 knots. System must fill gaps and extend current EU radar surveillance coverage using collaborative sensor networks with necessary synchronisation. System must implement advanced ionospheric sounding networks and validated models for cognitive radar management. System must implement advanced signal processing for OTH detection and tracking performance improvement. System must operate in challenging environments under jamming and congested contested constrained spectrum. Hardware and software design must support big data real-time processing and AI/ML applications integration.

Application Requirements and Conditions

Consortium Composition Specifics:For this topic, multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory. Minimum two independent applicants from two different eligible countries required. Affiliated entities do not count towards minimum eligibility criteria. Coordinator must be explicitly designated and act as intermediary for all communications with granting authority. Coordinator responsible for monitoring proper action implementation and ensuring quality of submissions before passing to granting authority. Internal consortium arrangements governed by consortium agreement covering internal organisation, management of Portal access, distribution keys for payments, IPR arrangements, dispute settlement, liability and confidentiality arrangements. Consortium agreement internal to parties; not submitted to Commission but required for proper functioning.

Design Activity Special Conditions:Projects addressing design activities must be based on harmonised defence capability requirements jointly agreed by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries. If requirements still need definition, joint intent to agree on them is acceptable. Harmonised defence capability requirements declaration signed by at least two Member States or associated countries must be submitted with proposal.

Prototyping, Testing, Qualification, Certification Special Conditions:Projects addressing system prototyping, testing, qualification or certification must be supported by at least two Member States or associated countries that intend to procure final product or use technology in coordinated manner including through joint procurement. Common technical specifications must be jointly agreed by Member States or associated countries that co-finance action or intend to jointly procure/use technology. If design still needed to define specifications, joint intent to agree on them is acceptable. Declarations on procurement intent and common specifications signed by at least two Member States or associated countries must be submitted with proposal.

Synergies and Complementarities:Proposals must demonstrate how they harness synergies and complementarities with other activities, particularly with planned, ongoing, or completed activities in related call topic EDF-2021-DIS-RDIS-2 on New technologies for air and sea long range detection. Proposals should also demonstrate integration with previous or ongoing R&D activities in defence and civil sectors while avoiding unnecessary duplication.

Co-financing Requirements:Costs of action not covered by EDF funding must be financed by other means such as Member State or associated country contributions or co-financing from legal entities. Signed co-financing declarations required from all co-financers by proposal submission deadline. If co-financing stated as to be confirmed at proposal stage, confirmation must be provided during grant agreement preparation otherwise proposal will not be signed. Co-financing amount declared in co-financing declaration prevails in case of inconsistency with detailed budget table. Information on co-financing process and timeline essential for assessing quality and efficiency in award criterion evaluation. Expected IPR-related return on project results for co-financer must be described.

Subcontracting Rules:Subcontracting must be less than 30% of total eligible costs per beneficiary (strict limit). Subcontractors with direct contractual relationship to beneficiary, those receiving 10% or more total eligible action costs, and those needing access to classified information are considered subcontractors involved in action and must comply with eligibility requirements. Subcontracted work must be performed in eligible countries. New subcontracts and subcontractors can be added only after formal amendment (no simplified approval). Coordinator tasks cannot be subcontracted.

Equipment Reimbursement Option:For this topic, depreciation plus full cost for listed equipment applies. Full cost reimbursement allowed for system prototyping activities where prototyping justifies it, exceptionally upon Commission approval. Depreciation calculated on basis of actual costs and written off using standard rates where appropriate.

Proposal Submission and Evaluation

Submission Method and Format:All proposals must be submitted electronically via Funding and Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System before deadline. Paper submissions not accepted. Part A (administrative information) filled directly online including participant data and summarised budget. Part B (technical description) downloaded as template from Portal, completed offline, converted to PDF, and uploaded with annexes as single password-protected AES-256 encrypted ZIP archive (less than 100 MB). Passwords communicated to DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS-PWD@ec.europa.eu before deadline with proposal ID. Classified information requires special procedures; must contact DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu in advance. Proposal page limit: maximum 100 pages counting work package descriptions; excess pages disregarded. All mandatory annexes must be included: detailed budget table, participant information, infrastructure list, co-financing declarations, actual indirect cost methodology declarations (if applicable), harmonised capability declarations (for design activities), procurement intent declarations (for prototyping/testing/qualification/certification activities), ownership control declarations, PRS declaration (if applicable).

Admissibility and Eligibility Checks:Proposals checked for formal requirements (admissibility) and substantive requirements (eligibility). Admissibility failures render proposals inadmissible. Eligibility failures may exclude applicants or entire proposals. Missing mandatory annexes in correct format may render proposals inadmissible or lead to participant ineligibility. Budget table containing ineligible costs may result in grant reduction during implementation or after project end. All participants must maintain eligible status throughout action duration; loss of eligibility affects lump sum contributions eligibility.

Evaluation Process:Standard one-stage submission with one-step evaluation. Evaluation committee assisted by independent outside experts assesses all admissible and eligible applications against operational capacity and award criteria. Proposals ranked according to scores. Minimum pass score requirements: no minimum pass score for individual award criteria; overall weighted threshold is 37 points out of 55 maximum. Proposals exceeding 37-point threshold considered for funding within budget limits. Other proposals rejected. Priority order for ex aequo proposals determined first by Excellence and potential of disruption score, then Innovation and technological development, then Competitiveness, then Creation of new cross-border cooperation scores, then by number of Member States/associated countries where applicants established.

Award Criteria and Scoring:

1. 1Excellence and potential of disruption (5 points, weight 2): Overall concept excellence and soundness, compliance with topic objectives and functional requirements, extent of advantage and disruption potential over existing products/technologies
2. 2Innovation and technological development (5 points, weight 1): Innovation potential, ground-breaking or novel concepts and approaches, integration of existing knowledge avoiding duplication, spinoff potential to other defence applications
3. 3Competitiveness (5 points, weight 1): Competitive advantage versus existing products/solutions, market growth potential analysis (size and growth), strength of IP strategy and patents
4. 4EDTIB autonomy (5 points, weight 2): Contribution to European defence technological and industrial base autonomy, reduction of third-country dependencies, beneficial impact on security of supply and new supply chains, contribution to defence capability priorities in CFSP and Capability Development Plan
5. 5Creation of new cross-border cooperation (5 points, weight 2): Extent of new cross-border cooperation creation between entities in Member States/associated countries, particularly SMEs and mid-caps, compared to former activities, planned future cooperation opportunities, substantial participation of cross-border SMEs/mid-caps and added value
6. 6Lifecycle efficiency (5 points, weight 1): Improvement in efficiency across lifecycle compared to existing solutions, reduction in production/operational/maintenance/repair costs, process simplification and combination
7. 7Member State cooperation (5 points, weight 1): Contribution to integration of European defence industry, demonstration by recipients of Member State commitment to jointly use, own or maintain final product/technology in coordinated way
8. 8Implementation (5 points, weight 1): Effectiveness and practicality of work plan structure including timing and inter-relation of work packages (Gantt/PERT chart), usefulness and comprehensiveness of milestones and deliverables with measurable realistic achievable criteria, appropriateness of management structures and decision mechanisms, quality of risk management with critical risks identification and mitigation measures, appropriateness of task allocation and resource distribution ensuring high effectiveness

Evaluation Timeline:Evaluation anticipated September 2026 through March 2027. Information on evaluation results provided March 2027. Grant agreement signature target December 31, 2027.

Legal, Financial and Administrative Conditions

Grant Agreement and Financial Rules:EDF Lump Sum Model Grant Agreement applies (EDF/ASAP/EDIRPA LS MGA Version 1.0 as of 01.11.2024). Grant governed by EU Financial Regulation (EU) 2024/2509 and EDF Regulation (EU) 2021/697. Applicable law: EU law plus law of Belgium for standard regime unless special applicable law clause selected for individual beneficiaries. Dispute settlement: EU General Court plus EU Court of Justice on appeal for EU beneficiaries; courts of Brussels, Belgium for non-EU beneficiaries unless international agreement provides EU court judgment enforceability; arbitration possible if selected in Data Sheet.

Record-Keeping and Documentation:Beneficiaries must keep records and supporting documents proving proper action implementation and results achievement for at least five years after final payment (or three years if grant not exceeding €60,000). Records must follow accepted standards in respective field. Digital and digitalised documents considered originals if authorised by applicable national law. Granting authority may accept non-original documents if comparable assurance level. Records must be made available upon request or in checks, reviews, audits, investigations. During ongoing checks, reviews, audits, investigations, litigation or other claims procedures, records must be retained until procedures end.

Reporting and Performance Requirements:Continuous reporting through Portal Continuous Reporting tool on deliverables, milestones, outputs, outcomes, critical risks, indicators. Progress reports every 6 to 12 months agreed during grant preparation. Additional prefinancing reports (if applicable) due 60 days after reporting period end. Periodic reports for interim and final payments due 60 days after reporting period end. Final periodic report submission may extend beyond project end. Financial statements must be in euro. Incomplete or insufficiently documented work packages rejected. Lump sum contributions not declared in financial statement not taken into account by granting authority. Coordinator certifies on behalf of consortium that declared lump sum contributions are eligible, work completed properly, results achieved, and substantiation through adequate records available for review.

Security Requirements:Projects involving classified information must undergo security scrutiny. If Member States decide specific security framework, they determine originatorship of classified foreground information and may issue specific Project Security Instruction. If no specific framework established, Commission implements security framework per Decision 2015/444. Security aspects letter (SAL) annexed to grant agreement specifies security requirements. Classified information TRES SECRET UE/EU TOP SECRET cannot be funded. CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET UE/EU SECRET information requires Facility Security Clearance at appropriate level; creation and access only in premises with FSC granted by competent national security authority. Personnel must hold valid Personnel Security Clearance and need-to-know. Classified information classified background information must obtain authorisation from Originator. Subcontracting classified tasks only with granting authority approval to eligible country entities. Disclosure to third parties requires prior granting authority approval. Facility security clearance may be required before grant signature; at minimum one beneficiary in consortium must have FSC before grant signature for classified projects.

Intra-EU Transfer of Defence-Related Products:If action implementation requires intra-EU transfer of defence-related products (listed in Common Military List and Directive 2009/43), beneficiaries responsible for ensuring granting authority and other EU bodies can exercise rights per grant agreement. Transfers may be necessary for checks, reviews, audits by European Court of Auditors or other EU bodies. Granting authority will not re-transfer defence-related products to third parties without written authorisation from competent national authorities. Consortium agreement should address transfers within consortium, potentially limiting need for end-user certificates. Beneficiaries advised to agree collectively as end-users not re-transferring/re-exporting products beyond action entities. National control authorities may request additional end-user certificates for specific products despite consortium commitment.

Conflict of Interest:Beneficiaries must prevent any situation where impartial and objective implementation could be compromised due to family, emotional, political, national affinity, economic interest or other direct/indirect interest. Must formally notify granting authority immediately of any actual or likely conflict of interest and take necessary steps to rectify. Granting authority may verify appropriateness of measures and require additional measures by specified deadline. Breach may result in grant reduction or grant/beneficiary termination.

Checks, Reviews, Audits and Investigations:Granting authority may conduct checks, reviews, audits on proper implementation and compliance during and after action until time-limit in Data Sheet (5 years after final payment, or 3 years for grants up to €60,000). External experts may assist; beneficiary can object on commercial confidentiality or conflict grounds. Beneficiary must cooperate diligently, provide requested information within deadline, allow on-the-spot visits with document access. European Commission, OLAF, European Public Prosecutor Office (EPPO), European Court of Auditors (ECA) also have audit and investigation rights. Beneficiary must retain information until time-limit and until any ongoing procedures conclude. Findings may lead to rejections, grant reductions, or other Chapter 5 measures. Systemic or recurrent errors, irregularities, fraud or breaches in other grants may be extended to this grant.

IP Rights and Background:Granting authority does not obtain ownership of results. Beneficiaries must give each other and other participants access to needed background for action implementation subject to specific rules in Grant Agreement Annex 5. Background means data, know-how, information in any form before accession needed for action or result exploitation, including IPR. If background subject to third-party rights, beneficiary must ensure ability to comply with Agreement obligations. Beneficiaries must identify background needed. Granting authority has royalty-free non-exclusive irrevocable licence to use action-related information for policy, communication, dissemination, publicity purposes during and after action including copying, editing, translating, storing, archiving, authorising third parties, processing and creating derivative works. Beneficiaries ensure materials, documents subject to third-party IPR rights have necessary licences and authorisations. IPR ownership and use detailed in specific rules in Annex 5 of Grant Agreement.

Communication and Visibility:Beneficiaries must promote action and results providing targeted information to multiple audiences in strategic, coherent, effective manner per Annex 1 and Annex 5. Before major media impact communication, beneficiaries inform granting authority. Communication activities related to action including media relations, conferences, seminars, materials must acknowledge EU support and display European flag/emblem and funding statement translated to local languages where appropriate. Flag must remain distinct and cannot be modified by adding other marks/brands/text. Apart from flag, no other visual identity/logo may highlight EU support. Flag displayed at least as prominently as other logos. Beneficiaries may use flag without prior approval but may not claim exclusive use or appropriate it by registration. Any communication must use factually accurate information and include standard disclaimer approved by granting authority. All communication and dissemination subject to security considerations and must be approved by granting authority prior to activity.

Recoveries and Financial Responsibility:Recoveries made if granting authority paid too much at beneficiary termination, final payment, or afterwards. General liability: coordinator fully liable for final payment recoveries even if not final recipient; at beneficiary termination or after final payment, recoveries made directly against beneficiaries concerned. Beneficiaries fully liable for affiliated entity debts. In enforced recoveries: beneficiaries jointly and severally liable for other beneficiary debts (if required in Data Sheet); affiliated entities held liable for beneficiary debts (if required in Data Sheet). Pre-information letter sent formally notifying intention to recover, amount, and reasons with 30-day observation period. Confirmation letter followed by debit note with payment terms and date. If payment not made by debit note date, enforced recovery by offsetting against amounts owed to granting authority (without beneficiary consent), drawing on guarantees (if any), holding other beneficiaries/affiliated entities jointly liable (if required), or legal action/enforceable decision. Amount increased by late-payment interest at ECB reference rate plus percentage in Data Sheet from day after payment date until full payment received. Partial payments credited against expenses, charges, interest then principal. Bank charges borne by beneficiary unless Directive 2015/2366 applies.

Late Payment Interest:If granting authority does not pay within deadlines, beneficiaries entitled to late-payment interest at ECB reference rate plus percentage specified in Data Sheet. ECB rate used is rate in force on first day of month when payment deadline expires, as published in Official Journal. Late-payment interest below €200 paid only on request within two months of late payment. Not due if all beneficiaries are EU Member States including regional/local authorities. If payments or deadlines suspended, payment not considered late. Interest covers period from day after due date until payment date. Not considered in final grant amount calculation.

Key Timeframes and Project Duration

Call opening: 11 February 2026. Submission deadline: 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Evaluation timeline: September 2026 through March 2027. Evaluation results notification: March 2027. Grant agreement signature target: 31 December 2027. Project starting date normally first day of month following grant entry into force, may be fixed date if applicants justify retroactive start to proposal submission date (never earlier). Project duration not specified in call but determined case-by-case. Extensions possible if duly justified through amendment. Projects may extend beyond 2 years with justification. Reporting deadlines per Data Sheet specify schedule for progress reports (6-12 months), additional prefinancing reports (if applicable), interim payments (if applicable), and final payment.

Risk Areas and Critical Success Factors

Critical risk management essential given complexity of multinational radar network development. Projects must identify and assess specific critical risks that could compromise objectives and detail mitigation measures. Key technical risks include synchronisation over long distances, operation in GNSS-denied environments, atmospheric propagation model accuracy, hypersonic target detection challenges, and electromagnetic countermeasures resilience. Organisational risks include maintaining multi-beneficiary coordination across Member States and ensuring harmonised capability requirements agreement from multiple nations. Industrial risks involve securing committed procurement intent declarations from at least two Member States for prototyping/testing/qualification phases. Security risks require compliance with classified information handling and facility security clearance requirements. Proposal evaluation heavily weights implementation quality and risk management (one of eight criteria with full 5-point scale). Applicants should provide detailed Gantt or PERT charts showing work package dependencies and realistic, measurable, achievable milestone criteria.

Contact and Support Resources

European Commission Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space manages the European Defence Fund. For call-specific questions contact DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu. For IT helpdesk issues on Portal submit request via IT Helpdesk webform. Consult Portal FAQ for general submission questions. Review Online Manual for step-by-step procedures. National Focal Points in each Member State provide guidance on finding partners and understanding opportunities. EDF Info Days held annually provide training and networking opportunities (2026 edition scheduled 10-11 March in Brussels). Published tutorials cover co-financing declarations, budget tables, cost categories, SME assessment, ownership control, submission procedures, grant agreement preparation, and intra-EU transfer authorisations. Topic Q&A page accessible through Portal may contain clarifications on this specific call. EDF security requirements explained in generic Programme Security Instruction and action-specific Security Aspects Letter (SAL). Multiple template documents available through Portal Submission System for all mandatory annexes.