Smart technologies for next generation fighter systems

European Defence Fund call EDF-2026-DA invites multi-beneficiary consortia to develop smart technologies and integrated modular avionics for next-generation fighter systems operating within a defence air cloud for manned and unmanned platforms. Indicative budget is €25,000,000; opening 11 February 2026 and submission deadline 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Mandatory activity types include integrating knowledge, studies and design with optional prototyping, testing, qualification and certification to deliver proofs of concept, demonstrations and prototypes. Eligible applicants are legal entities established in EU Member States or EDF-associated Norway forming multi-country consortia subject to EDF security, ownership and co-financing requirements and activity-specific funding rates and bonuses.

Smart technologies for next generation fighter systems — EDF-2026-DA-AIR-STFS

What it funds

Development of smart technologies and key elements for next generation military integrated modular avionics and defence air cloud capabilities for manned and unmanned aerial platforms. Activities may include integrating knowledge, studies, design, system prototyping, proofs of concept, demonstrations and prototypes, plus upstream and downstream development actions.

Who can apply

Consortia of legal entities established in EDF eligible countries (EU Member States and EDF-associated Norway). Multi-beneficiary proposals are mandatory for this topic; affiliated entities and subcontractors must meet EDF security and eligibility rules. Proposals must follow EDF participation, ownership/control and security requirements (including PSI/SCG where classified information is involved).

Funding and call type:EDF Development Actions (actual cost grants). Indicative topic budget €25,000,000. Indicative number of proposals: one (more may be funded depending on quality and available budget) ¹.

1. 1Deadline: 29 September 2026 (17:00 Brussels time). Start submission opens 11 February 2026.
2. 2Type of action: EDF-2026-DA — Development actions implemented via actual cost grants (single-stage).
3. 3Core expected outputs: architectures, algorithms, AI-enabled RESM/CESM demonstrator, multiband modular avionics prototypes and integration with combat/air cloud environments.

Scope and eligible activities (high level)

The topic targets work that follows-up and complements previous EDF and PADR activities: state-of-the-art reviews, operational concept and scenarios, system design, AI-enabled signal analysis, modular avionics prototyping, laboratory demonstration and representative testing. Activities must align to STEP and EDF rules on eligible activity types (studies, design, prototyping, testing, qualification and optionally certification and lifecycle efficiency).

Eligibility, consortium and security highlights

1. 1Applicants must be legal entities established in eligible EDF countries; consortia must meet EDF multi-beneficiary rules.
2. 2Security: projects may involve EU classified information. Proposals and successful projects must comply with the EDF Programme Security Instruction (PSI), develop a Security Classification Guide (SCG) and follow Security Aspects Letter requirements.
3. 3IP and procurement: beneficiaries must follow EDF rules on background/results, co-financing, ownership and subcontracting (including national approvals/guarantees for entities under non-EU control).

Proposal documentation, admissibility, eligibility details, mandatory templates (application form, detailed budget, participant information, co‑financing declaration, ownership control templates, etc.) and evaluation rules are in the EDF call documents and annexes available on the Funding & Tenders Portal Topic page. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Full call conditions, application templates and the model grant agreement are in the call documents on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal topic page above.

Smart technologies for next generation fighter systems (EDF-2026-DA-AIR-STFS)

Programme: European Defence Fund (EDF). Type of action: EDF Development Actions (actual cost grants). Model Grant Agreement: EDF Action Grant Budget-Based [EDF-AG]. Opening date: 11 February 2026. Deadline: 29 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Submission model: single-stage via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Official topic page.

Opportunity overview

Objective and scope: This topic follows up and complements previous EDF activities to explore future architectures and develop key technologies for the next generation of military Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) across a variety of military aerial platforms (manned and unmanned) in the context of a defence air cloud. It targets proofs of concept, demonstrations and prototypes for smart avionics and cognitive capabilities that enable the next generation fighter systems. It contributes to the STEP Regulation objectives in the target investment area of defence technologies.

Indicative budget and expected number of grants: €25,000,000 under EDF-2026-DA. One proposal is expected to be funded; depending on quality and available budget, more than one may be funded.

Targeted activities: integrating knowledge, studies, design and system prototyping, without excluding upstream and downstream activities eligible for development actions. For this topic, multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory and specific consortium composition conditions apply EDF-2026-DA Call document (sections 2.7 and 6).

Technical content and expected outputs

The action must advance smart technologies underpinning next-generation fighter systems with emphasis on cognitive electronic warfare (EW)-ready avionics in a defence air cloud context. Mandatory activities include:

• Studies: develop challenging, realistic multi-domain (sea, land, air, space) scenarios with interference and jamming; define operational concept and key performance metrics; specify minimum requirements for AI-driven ESM/RESM/CESM signal analysis; feasibility of SWaP-C optimisations; data fusion simulations; definition of measures of effectiveness; spectrum management protection measures; and platform integration feasibility.
• Design: interoperable and scalable open architecture; AI/ML algorithms for spectrum management, signal interpretation, detection and jamming; conceptual design of a cognitive EW suite for naval and air platforms leveraging AI; detailed hardware and software design for an enhanced cognitive EW system; modelling and performance simulation; and an integration concept demonstrating interoperability of selected technologies.
• System demonstrator: develop an enhanced cognitive EW demonstrator featuring integrated AI models for RESM/CESM signal analysis enabling real-time signal detection, characterisation and response; conduct functional testing in controlled laboratory and simulated environments; analyse results against defined indicators and measures of effectiveness; and extrapolate performance to practical scenarios.

Optional activities (encouraged where relevant): system prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, and development of technologies or assets increasing lifecycle efficiency.

Key functional expectations: scalable demonstrator adaptable to multiple platforms and future frequency bands; open interfaces and data model standardisation (e.g. STANAG 4559); AI-enabled spectrum knowledge, emitter/situation/mission knowledge and decision-making; collaborative multi-platform capabilities (sensor fusion, TDOA geolocation, distributed countermeasures); minimised SWaP-C and emissions; training data governance leveraging national repositories, STANAG formats, and simulated/sanitised datasets; robust synchronisation for multi-static RF coherence; readiness to manage LPI/LPD waveforms; dual-mode AI operations (full and semi-automatic) with safety, traceability and human control constraints.

Synergies and consistency: Proposals should build on and demonstrate complementarity with PADR-EMS-03-2019, EDF-2021-NAVAL-R-DSSDA, EDF-2021-DIGIT-D-MDOC, EDF-2021/2022 Advanced Radar Technologies topics, EDF-2022-RA-SENS-CSENS, and EDF-2025-DA-SENS-MB4DR-STEP, and ensure consistency with EDF-2022-DA-NAVAL-NCS, EDF-2024-DA-NAVAL-FNP and EDF-2025-DA-NAVAL-DSNCC-STEP.

Topic-specific conditions:For this topic: multi-beneficiary applications are compulsory; financial support to third parties (FSTP) is allowed within the call ceiling; for equipment, both depreciation and full cost for listed equipment may be eligible as specified at grant level; submissions are single-stage; project proposals must include required Member State declarations for design/prototyping activities, where applicable ¹.

Who can apply and how

Eligible Applicant Types

Eligible applicants include defence industry prime contractors, SMEs, mid-caps and large enterprises, universities, research and technology organisations (RTOs), and other eligible legal entities established in the EU or in an EDF associated country (currently Norway). Subcontractors and affiliated entities involved in the action must also be established in the EU or Norway and have their executive management structure in these countries. Associated partners that do not fulfil these conditions may exceptionally participate under strict safeguards, without EDF funding, and subject to security and IPR control provisions. Startups are eligible and welcome provided they can demonstrate operational capacity; SME and mid-cap participation is incentivised via funding bonuses EDF general guidance and FAQs.

Consortium Requirement

Multi-beneficiary consortia are mandatory for this topic. EDF generally requires collaborative projects with entities from at least three different EU Member States or Norway. For development actions that include design and downstream activities, Member State support is also required (see below). The consortium composition must comply with ownership and control requirements of the EDF Regulation (restrictions may apply for third-country control, with potential derogations via national guarantees under Article 9(4) EDF Regulation).

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility)

EU Member States and EDF associated country Norway. Beneficiaries, affiliated entities and subcontractors involved in the action must be established in the EU or Norway and have their executive management structure in these countries. Entities from non-associated third countries cannot be beneficiaries, affiliated entities or subcontractors involved in the action. They may be associated partners only under strict conditions (no funding, no control over results, no access to classified information, no adverse security of supply effects). Equipment procured outside the EU/NO may be eligible if used inside eligible countries and compliant with EDF control restrictions.

Special declarations and national support

• Design activities (Art 10(3)(d)): must be based on harmonised defence capability requirements jointly agreed by at least two Member States or Norway, or on joint intent if studies are still needed. Evidence via the Harmonised Defence Capability Requirements Declaration template.
• Prototyping, testing, qualification, certification (Art 10(3)(e)-(h)): must be supported by at least two Member States or Norway intending to procure or jointly use the technology, and based on common technical specifications jointly agreed by those States. Evidence via the Declaration on Procurement Intent and Common Technical Specifications.

Funding, co-financing and evaluation

Funding Type and Nature of Support

Grant funding (actual cost grant). Beneficiaries receive money; the EDF may also offer business coaching for successful SME beneficiaries. Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP, cascade funding) is allowed up to the ceiling set in the call; FSTP-related organisation costs are reimbursed at the project’s applicable funding rates.

Funding Amount

Indicative EU contribution available for the topic: €25,000,000. The Commission expects to fund one proposal; more may be funded subject to quality and budget availability.

Funding Rates and Bonuses (by activity type)

EDF Development Actions apply baseline funding rates per Article 10(3) EDF Regulation, plus possible bonuses (PESCO +10 percentage points; SME bonuses up to +10 percentage points combined, calculated on shares of cross-border and non-cross-border SME costs per activity; Mid-cap bonus +10 percentage points if mid-cap share ≥15% for the activity). Maximum rates per activity apply. WP1 Project management must use the Studies rate.

Co-funding is therefore generally required for activities with baseline rates below 100% (e.g. prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, design, integrating knowledge). A mandatory Co-financing Declaration is required from each co-financer at submission stage and informs award criterion 8 (quality and efficiency of implementation).

Eligible Costs and Equipment Options

• Actual costs for personnel, travel, purchases, and other cost categories per MGA.
• Indirect costs at 25% flat-rate of eligible direct costs (exclusions apply), or actual indirect costs if conditions are met and validated by national pricing authorities (Actual Indirect Cost Methodology Declaration).
• For this topic: depreciation and full cost may both apply for listed equipment, as defined at grant level; otherwise, standard depreciation rules apply. Renting/leasing is eligible within limits.
• VAT is eligible if non-deductible and non-refundable according to applicable law.

Application, Evaluation and Timeline

Application type: open call, single-stage submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Admissibility, eligibility, evaluation processes, award criteria (scoring and thresholds) and indicative timeline are defined in the call document (sections 5 to 9). Security scrutiny may apply after evaluation to determine classification and security arrangements for results. Partner search features are available on the Portal. Topic Q&A are maintained online.

Success Rates

No success rate is published for this topic. Historically, EDF topics are highly competitive.

Co-funding Requirement

Yes, for activities with baseline funding rates below 100%. Applicants must secure and document co-funding commitments using the mandatory Co-financing Declaration; lack of timely confirmation during grant preparation can preclude grant signature.

Compliance, security and IPR

Security, classified information and site/personnel clearances

Projects may involve sensitive or classified information. The EDF Programme Security Instruction (PSI) applies. Facility Security Clearances (FSC) and Personnel Security Clearances (PSC) may be required depending on classification levels; specific handling and transmission rules apply. Subcontractors cannot lead work packages and must not perform core tasks. Associated partners cannot lead work packages and receive no funding. Equipment or inputs from outside the EU/NO are generally ineligible unless exceptions apply and no third-country control over results arises. Dissemination and communications require prior approval in EDF grants.

Ownership and control, IPR and guarantees

Project results belong to the consortium as agreed internally. Background and results must remain free from third-country control or restrictions. Entities controlled by a non-EU/NO parent may participate if national authorities approve Ownership Control Guarantees compliant with Articles 20 and 23 EDF Regulation. Access rights to background/results within the consortium must be assured for implementation and exploitation. PESCO projects can claim a 10 percentage point funding bonus upon provision of the national PESCO coordinator confirmation during grant preparation.

Target sector and project maturity

Target Sector

Defence (air domain), integrated modular avionics, electronic warfare, signals intelligence (RESM/CESM/ESM), military cloud (defence air cloud), AI/ML for avionics and EW, software-defined radios and spectrum operations, secure data and interoperability standards.

Project Stage (expected maturity)

Development actions spanning studies and design (mandatory), with optional prototyping, testing, qualification and certification. Technology Readiness Levels will typically progress through TRL 4–6 for demonstrators in relevant environments, with design-level maturities aligned to EDF guidance.

Administrative details and templates

Application Stages

Single-stage application and evaluation. Security scrutiny follows for successful proposals. Grant Agreement preparation requires provision of national declarations and confirmatory documents where relevant.

Application form (Part A and Part B) and annexes

• Part A (online): administrative data (coordinator, participants, budget, ethics and security tables).
• Part B (uploaded as a single password-protected encrypted ZIP): technical description aligned to EDF structure (Excellence; Innovation; Competitiveness; EDTIB Autonomy; Cross-border cooperation; Lifecycle efficiency; Member State cooperation; Implementation; Ethics; Security; Declarations). The template specifies work package structuring, activity types per Art 10(3), deliverables, milestones, timetable, and budget linkages.

Mandatory and frequently used templates:Standard application form (EDF) and Detailed budget table; Participant information; List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources; Co-financing declaration; Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (if claiming actual indirect costs); Harmonised Defence Capability Requirements Declaration (for design); Declaration on Procurement Intent and Common Technical Specifications (for prototyping/testing/qualification/certification); Ownership control declaration and, where applicable, Ownership control guarantee; PRS declaration (only if access to Galileo PRS information is needed); Model Grant Agreement and Programme Security Instruction Application and templates hub.

How templates structure your submission

1. 1Participant Information: legal identity, role, PIC, establishment and executive management locations, capability summary, key staff and operational capacity evidence, up to 5 relevant projects, affiliated entities/associated partners justification and safeguards.
2. 2Infrastructure/Facilities/Assets/Resources: exhaustive list with precise locations; FSC status where needed; justification for any asset outside eligible countries and confirmation that such assets are not reimbursable.
3. 3Co-financing Declaration: legal identity of co-financer, amount, status, indicative availability date, process and timeline, expected IPR-related return; mandatory at submission.
4. 4Actual Indirect Cost Methodology: detailed cost elements, calculation method, apportionment keys and bases, adjustments for ineligible costs, comparable national projects; signature by participant and competent national pricing authority.
5. 5Harmonised Capability Requirements Declaration: Member State authority signs support and confirms jointly agreed requirements (or intent) and identifies countries.
6. 6Procurement Intent and Common Technical Specifications: Member State authority(ies) confirm coordinated procurement/use intent, optional budgets and timelines, and common technical specifications (or intent) with list of countries.
7. 7Ownership Control Guarantee: for non-EU/NO controlled entities; describes measures preventing adverse control, protecting sensitive information and IPR/results; requires approval by competent national authority.
8. 8Security and PRS Declarations: as applicable to classification and PRS needs.
9. 9Part B Technical Description: mandatory EDF sections linking objectives, scope, functional requirements, expected impact, WP structure and activity types, with a detailed and cost-coherent work plan.

Categorisation answers

Eligible Applicant Types:Large enterprise, mid-cap, SME, startup, university, research institute/RTO, nonprofit where relevant, and other eligible EU/NO-established organisations with executive management in EU/NO. Government-owned or controlled entities may participate; ministries and armed forces provide required declarations but are typically not beneficiaries. Associated partners from third countries may join without funding under strict safeguards.

Funding Type:Grant (actual cost). Bonuses apply per activity for PESCO, SMEs and mid-caps within maxima.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium. Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory; typically at least three entities from three different EU Member States or Norway. Additional Member State declarations required for design and for prototyping/testing/qualification/certification.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States and Norway (EDF-associated). Beneficiaries, affiliates and subcontractors involved in the action must be established and managed in these countries. Third-country participation possible only as associated partners under strict conditions without EU funding.

Target Sector:Defence/air domain; avionics; electronic warfare and signals intelligence; AI/ML; military cloud and interoperability; secure communications and spectrum operations; standards-driven integration.

Mentioned Countries:European Union Member States; Norway (EDF-associated). Ukraine may be considered as associated partner only under strict conditions and without funding; it cannot be a beneficiary or subcontractor under EDF.

Project Stage:Research and development through validation and demonstration. Mandatory studies and design; optional prototyping, testing, qualification and certification. Expected TRL progression to relevant-environment demonstrators (around TRL 5–6).

Funding Amount:Indicative budget of €25,000,000 for the topic; one grant expected.

Application Type:Open call; single-stage; electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Nature of Support:Money (grant). Non-financial support includes optional SME business coaching post-award.

Application Stages:1 stage (single-stage submission and evaluation).

Success Rates:Not published for this topic; EDF topics are typically highly competitive.

Co-funding Requirement:Yes. For activities with baseline rates below 100% (e.g., prototyping 20% up to 55% with bonuses; testing 45% up to 80% with bonuses; design 65% up to 100% with bonuses). Mandatory Co-financing Declarations at submission.

How to prepare a strong proposal

• Map activities to Art 10(3) types and funding rates; ensure WP1 uses Studies rate; justify any optional activities and TRL progress.
• Secure required Member State declarations early (harmonised capability requirements; procurement intent and common specifications) and align them with the technical baseline.
• Plan SME and mid-cap participation to optimise bonuses without compromising technical delivery; ensure SME/mid-cap self-assessments are current in the Portal.
• Address data governance, classified data handling and PSI compliance; identify clearance needs (FSC/PSC) and site security posture.
• Demonstrate interoperability and standardisation (e.g., STANAG 4559), open interfaces, and integration into defence air cloud concepts.
• Detail AI lifecycle (training data, validation, traceability, safety, human-on-the-loop) and SWaP-C justifications; include robust test and evaluation against defined MoEs.
• Provide a comprehensive budget with clear co-funding confirmations and, if applicable, actual indirect cost methodology endorsed by the national pricing authority.
• Demonstrate complementarity with prior EU-funded projects and national programmes; avoid duplication and evidence pathways to adoption and coordinated procurement.
• Plan FSTP, if used, with transparent selection, caps, and support to attract niche innovators and SMEs.

Key links and support

• Topic page and submission: EU Funding & Tenders Portal EDF-2026-DA-AIR-STFS.
• Call document (EDF-2026-DA): objectives, scope, activities, evaluation, legal and financial set-up Call document.
• Model Grant Agreement (EDF/ASAP/EDIRPA MGA) and PSI (security) MGA EDF PSI.
• Templates (application form, budget, participant info, infrastructure list, co-financing, actual indirect cost methodology, capability and procurement declarations, ownership control guarantee, PRS) via the Portal templates area.
• National Focal Points and partner search: see EDF programme page EDF programme overview and NFPs.
• Helpdesk: DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu; Funding & Tenders IT Helpdesk via the Portal.

Summary

This EDF Development Action funds collaborative R&D to deliver the smart avionics and cognitive capabilities required for next-generation fighter systems operating within a defence air cloud. It mandates studies and design, and supports optional prototyping, testing, qualification and certification. The technical thrust centres on AI-enabled EW and signal analysis, open modular avionics architectures, robust spectrum management, multi-platform collaboration, and rigorous data governance and interoperability (e.g., STANAG-aligned). The topic’s indicative budget is €25 million, with one grant expected. Applicants must form a compliant multi-country EU/NO consortium, meet EDF security and ownership-control requirements, and obtain necessary Member State declarations for design and downstream activities. Funding rates vary by activity with bonuses for PESCO projects, SMEs and mid-caps; consequently, well-documented co-funding is essential for activities below 100% reimbursement. Submissions use the standard EDF application structure and mandatory templates, including co-financing and, where relevant, actual indirect cost methodology and national declarations. Proposals that demonstrate mature system designs, credible demonstrators, strong standardisation and interoperability, clear pathways to joint procurement, and coherent security and data practices will be best placed to succeed ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1All topic conditions, eligibility rules, evaluation criteria, funding rates and template requirements are defined in the EDF-2026-DA call documentation and on the official topic page: EDF-2026-DA call document and EDF-2026-DA-AIR-STFS.

Smart Technologies for Next Generation Fighter Systems - EDF-2026-DA-AIR-STFS

Funding Opportunity Overview

This European Defence Fund call supports collaborative development of smart technologies for next generation fighter systems. The initiative aims to develop integrated modular avionics for military aerial platforms, including both manned and unmanned aircraft operating within a defence air cloud architecture. The project will follow up and complement previous activities in this technological domain, with emphasis on future architectures and key technologies demonstrated through proofs of concept, demonstrations, and prototypes.

Financial Details

Total Budget Allocation:€25,000,000 is available for this topic under the EDF-2026-DA call.

Number of Grants:One proposal is anticipated for funding, though additional proposals may be funded depending on quality and budget availability.

Funding Rate:Individual funding rates apply based on activity types and participant characteristics. The EDF uses a complex funding structure with baseline rates ranging from 20% to 90% depending on the type of activity (generating knowledge, integrating knowledge, studies, design, prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, or increasing efficiency). Bonuses of up to 10% are available for PESCO participation and varying percentages for SME and mid-cap involvement.

Funding Rate Structure:Development actions typically receive baseline rates between 20% and 70% for different activity types. All costs must be actual costs incurred. The system utilizes a detailed budget calculator (Annex 2e) to determine individual funding rates per beneficiary and reporting period.

Scope and Objectives

The call targets development of military integrated modular avionics to support future fighter system capabilities. Work must address exploration of future architectures and key enabling technologies through proofs of concept, demonstrations, and prototypes. The scope includes activities that integrate knowledge, conduct studies, develop designs, create system prototypes, perform testing, and demonstrate increased operational efficiency. Projects must contribute to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) objectives in the target investment area of defence technologies.

Mandatory Activity Types

• Integrating knowledge - reviewing state-of-the-art technologies and identifying necessary developments for military applications
• Studies - developing comprehensive scenarios, operational concepts, and feasibility analyses
• Design - developing interoperable system architectures, algorithms, hardware specifications, and software solutions for enhanced capabilities

Optional Activity Types

• System prototyping of defence products and components
• Testing of proposed systems and technologies
• Qualification to demonstrate design compliance with specified requirements
• Certification by national authorities
• Development of technologies increasing lifecycle efficiency

Eligibility and Consortium Requirements

Eligible Participants:Any consortium with legal entities established in EU Member States or EDF associated countries (Norway). All beneficiaries must have executive management structures located in eligible countries. Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory for this topic, with specific consortium composition conditions required.

Ineligible Participants:Entities controlled by non-associated third countries, though derogations may apply with approved guarantees from national authorities. Ukrainian entities cannot participate as beneficiaries, affiliated entities or subcontractors.

Consortium Composition:Minimum three legal entities from at least two different Member States or EDF associated countries are required (or two entities for disruptive technology calls). At least two of these must not be controlled by the same parent entity.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Opening Date:11 February 2026

Submission Deadline:29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission)

Expected Timeline:Evaluation begins in autumn 2026, with grant agreements anticipated for early 2027 and prototype delivery one to two years thereafter.

Functional Requirements and Expected Outcomes

Projects must develop military integrated modular avionics systems capable of operating on diverse aerial platforms. Solutions should demonstrate enhanced capabilities for manned and unmanned aircraft within a defence air cloud context. Systems must be scalable across platform types and support advanced integration and interoperability standards. The demonstrator should prove essential elements for future European combat systems, including intelligent spectrum management, multiple platform collaboration capabilities, and adaptive autonomous operation based on cognitive capabilities.

Financial and Operational Capacity Requirements

Beneficiaries must demonstrate adequate financial and operational capacity to implement the action. Financial capacity is verified at grant agreement preparation stage. Operational capacity requires demonstrating sufficient expertise, qualifications, resources, and experience to successfully implement proposed activities. Key personnel must be identified with documented expertise in relevant technical areas.

Special Conditions and Restrictions

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

Financial Support to Third Parties:Allowed within specified ceilings. Maximum €60,000 per recipient unless call conditions specify otherwise.

Subcontracting Limitation:Subcontracting must not exceed 30% of total beneficiary costs. Subcontracted tasks must not include core project management responsibilities.

Harmonised Capability Requirements:Design activities must be based on harmonised defence capability requirements jointly agreed by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries.

Procurement Intent Declaration:Prototyping, testing, qualification or certification activities must be supported by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries intending to procure the final product or use the technology in coordinated manner.

Cost Eligibility and Budget Categories

Eligible costs fall into five main categories: personnel costs based on actual salaries and daily rates; subcontracting for action tasks; purchase costs including equipment, travel and subsistence; other direct costs; and indirect costs at flat rate of 25% or actual costs according to usual accounting practices. All costs must be actually incurred, recorded in beneficiary accounts, necessary for action implementation, and comply with national laws on taxation, labour and social security.

Personnel Costs Calculation:Daily rate equals annual personnel costs divided by 215 working days. Personnel working on the action must submit monthly time records signed by the person and supervisor. Maximum 215 day-equivalents per person per year across all EU grants.

Ineligible Costs:Return on capital, dividends, debt service, interest charges, currency exchange losses, bank transfer fees, provisions for future losses, deductible or refundable VAT, costs during grant suspension, and in-kind contributions by third parties are not eligible.

Application and Evaluation Process

Submission Method:Applications are submitted via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal in single-stage format. Part A contains administrative information completed in the portal system. Part B includes narrative technical description submitted as password-protected ZIP file with AES-256 encryption.

Required Documentation:Standard application form, detailed budget table, participant information declarations, list of infrastructure and resources, co-financing declarations, ownership and control declarations, harmonised capability declarations, procurement intent declarations, and PRS declarations if applicable.

Evaluation Criteria:Excellence and disruption potential, innovation and technological development, competitiveness potential, EDTIB autonomy contribution, new cross-border cooperation creation, lifecycle efficiency improvements, and member state cooperation are assessed. Award criteria address project quality, implementation feasibility, consortium composition, financial management, and risk mitigation strategies.

Grant Agreement Provisions

Grant Form:Budget-based mixed actual cost grant allowing combination of actual costs, unit costs, flat-rate costs, lump sums, and contributions.

Payment Schedule:Initial prefinancing within 30 days of entry into force (if required); interim payments at 90 days from periodic reports; final payment at 90 days from final report submission.

Prefinancing Guarantee:Required unless exempted. Amount and conditions specified in grant agreement data sheet.

Certificate Requirements:Certificate on Financial Statements required if EU contribution exceeds €325,000 per beneficiary. External auditor certification may be required for some participants.

Liability Regime:Limited joint and several liability applies for enforced recoveries among beneficiaries, up to each beneficiary's maximum grant amount.

Intellectual Property and Security Provisions

Beneficiaries retain ownership of project results. The granting authority receives royalty-free, non-exclusive, irrevocable licence for policy, information, communication, dissemination and publicity purposes. Classified information must be handled according to the Programme Security Instruction, with specific procedures for access, marking, storage, transport and release. EU classified information originatorship is determined by Member States where beneficiaries are established. Beneficiaries must ensure background information access for proper action implementation and results ownership protection.

Communication and Dissemination Obligations

All communication activities must acknowledge EU support and display the European flag and funding statement. Beneficiaries must promote the action strategically and coherently to multiple audiences. Before engaging in activities with major media impact, the granting authority must be informed. All communication materials must use factually accurate information and include required disclaimer that views expressed are those of authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or granting authority.

Recording Keeping and Reporting Obligations

Beneficiaries must maintain records and supporting documents for five years after final payment to prove proper action implementation and cost eligibility. Records must enable direct reconciliation between declared amounts, amounts recorded in beneficiary accounts, and supporting documents. Time records for personnel must be retained. Continuous reporting occurs via the Portal tool; periodic technical and financial reports are submitted at payment milestones with deadlines typically 60 days after reporting period end.

Financial Statement Requirements:Detailed in euros, showing eligible costs and contributions by budget category and for final payment, all revenues. Beneficiaries confirm information is complete, costs are eligible, can be substantiated, and revenues are declared.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics

Beneficiaries must prevent situations where impartial and objective agreement implementation could be compromised due to family, emotional, political, national, economic or other direct or indirect interests. Conflicts must be formally notified to the granting authority without delay. All actions must respect basic EU values including human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law and human rights. Projects must comply with highest ethical standards and applicable EU, international and national law on ethical principles ¹.

Key Support Resources

For technical guidance on EDF calls, applicants should contact DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu. The EU Funding and Tenders Portal provides online manuals, FAQ sections, and video tutorials covering application procedures, budget calculations, SME assessments, and reporting requirements. National Focal Points appointed by Member States can provide country-specific guidance. EDF Info Days are held annually with presentations and networking opportunities ².

Strategic Context and Impact

This call supports European defence technological autonomy through development of next-generation combat system avionics. By fostering collaborative cross-border development, the initiative reduces fragmentation in European defence technology investment and promotes standardisation and interoperability across Member States. Projects contribute to EU strategic autonomy in defence capabilities, reducing dependency on third-country solutions while strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base ³.

Footnotes

1. 1Beneficiaries must demonstrate that proposed activities comply with ethics requirements and EU values in their application. Security self-assessment is required for actions involving classified information or national security aspects.
2. 2The 2026 EDF Info Days are scheduled for 10-11 March 2026 in Brussels with online participation options. Recordings of previous info days covering evaluation processes, financial aspects and best practices are available on the DG DEFIS website.
3. 3The European Defence Fund forms part of the EU's broader defence strengthening strategy, complemented by the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative providing €150 billion in low-cost loans for joint defence procurement by Member States.