Support for the functioning of SEAPs, including for the purpose of establishing, managing and maintaining defence industrial readiness pools

Continuous call EDF-EDIP-P under the European Defence Fund (EDIP) provides funding to support the initial operations of established Structures for European Armament Programmes (SEAPs). Eligible SEAPs (minimum three participating Member States, associated countries or Ukraine) may request EDF lump-sum grants to cover at least one year of operations including office setup, staffing and establishing or maintaining defence industrial readiness pools. The total call budget is €10,000,000 (€4,000,000 in 2026 and €6,000,000 in 2027) with a maximum EU contribution of €2,000,000 per project and possible budget reallocation. Planned opening is 2 September 2026 with multiple cut-off deadlines (13 October 2026, 16 February 2027, 28 September 2027) and applications must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, with full call documents and templates to be published on the portal.

Support for the functioning of SEAPs (EDF‑EDIP-P-2026-2027-FNLC-SA-SEAP)

What it funds

Purpose and scope

Grants to support the initial functioning of established Structures for European Armament Programmes (SEAPs) for at least one year, including renting office space, recruiting staff, and establishing, managing and maintaining defence industrial readiness pools.

Who can apply:Established SEAPs (legal bodies set up under the EDIP/SEAP framework). Applicants must meet the eligibility rules set out in the call document and related EDIP provisions.

1. 1Opening date: 02 September 2026
2. 2Deadlines (multiple cut-off): 13 October 2026; 16 February 2027; 28 September 2027
3. 3Type of grant: EDF Lump Sum Grants (EDF-LS)

Apply via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; see the call page for application templates, admissibility and eligibility rules, evaluation criteria and model grant agreement. For help contact DEFIS-EDIP-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Call page and full documents: EU Funding & Tenders Portal - SEAP topic. For enquiries: DEFIS-EDIP-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu.

Support for the functioning of SEAPs, including for the purpose of establishing, managing and maintaining defence industrial readiness pools

Call identification and programme

Administrative and programme-level details

Call title: Continuous call for proposals for supporting actions under the Programme (EDF-EDIP-P-2026-2027-FNLC-SA). Topic reference: EDF-EDIP-P. Programme: European Defence Fund (EDF) implemented under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP). Type of action: EDF-LS EDF Lump Sum Grants. Type of Model Grant Agreement: EDF Lump Sum Grant [EDF-AG-LS]. Deadline model: multiple cut-off with planned opening date 02 September 2026 and three cut-off deadlines listed. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header and applicants must apply through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Objective:This call aims to provide support for the functioning of established Structure for European Armament Programmes (SEAPs), including for establishing, managing and maintaining defence industrial readiness pools, by financing initial operations for a duration of at least one year.

Expected impact:Supported SEAPs are expected to rent office space, recruit personnel and start and uphold operations for a duration of at least one year.

Scope:Proposals shall aim to support established SEAPs in their initial operations for a minimum duration of one year. Activities likely to be funded include setting up and running administrative and managerial functions of SEAPs, costs linked to office set-up and sustained operations, personnel recruitment and remuneration, and activities directly linked to establishing and maintaining defence industrial readiness pools as part of SEAP functions.

Budget and funding modalities:Total envisaged budget for the call: €10,000,000. Maximum EU contribution per funded project: €2,000,000. The call will use lump sum grants under the EDF-LS modality. The Commission may reallocate the budget between calls depending on the number and quality of eligible proposals and the requested EU contributions.

Deadlines, timeline and indicative budget distribution

Eligibility, evaluation and legal conditions

High-level conditions are published on the portal but detailed admissibility, eligibility, financial capacity, exclusion criteria, evaluation and award processes and thresholds are described in the call document and annexes which are noted as available shortly. Applicants must follow the proposal page limits, layout and Part B instructions in the Application Form available in the Submission System. Specific eligible countries, other eligibility conditions, financial and operational capacity requirements, and legal and financial grant set-up provisions are referenced to sections 6, 7 and 10 of the call document respectively ¹.

Contact and support

For questions related to this call applicants should contact DEFIS-EDIP-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu. Technical help on the portal and submission system is available via the Funding & Tenders Portal IT Helpdesk and the Online Manual. Additional legal and financial reference documents include EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, and the Annotated Model Grant Agreement for EU grants.

Detailed categorisation and application guidance

Eligible Applicant Types

Primary eligible applicants and beneficiaries: Structure for European Armament Programmes (SEAPs) as legal entities established under international law (SEAPs are explicitly the target). Secondary likely eligible applicant/legal entity types (based on EDIP rules and general calls for supporting actions): public authorities of Member States, intergovernmental or international bodies constituted to perform SEAP functions, public-private consortia acting through a SEAP legal form, and potentially national authorities or organisations designated to manage or host SEAP operations. The call documentation will specify additional eligible legal entity categories and whether other types (universities, research institutes, NGOs, private companies) can participate or act as subcontractors or partners, but the explicit focus of this topic is on established SEAPs.

Funding Type

Primary financial mechanism: grant. Specifically, EDF Lump Sum Grants (EDF-LS) using the EDF Lump Sum Grant MGA. The call provides fixed lump-sum contributions up to the maximum per project indicated.

Consortium Requirement

The topic text emphasises support for established SEAPs. It does not explicitly require a multi-beneficiary consortium; therefore the expected applicant model is a single legal entity SEAP submitting a proposal to cover its initial operational costs. The call document will clarify whether multi-party applications or SEAPs acting with partner organisations are admissible. Applicants should consult section 6 of the call document for final eligibility rules on single versus consortium applications ¹.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility)

Geographic scope is the EDF/EDIP framework: Member States of the EU and associated countries referenced by EDIP. The broader EDIP programme and related actions explicitly mention the EU, Norway and Ukraine as participating jurisdictions in many EDIP components; SEAPs are a legal instrument available to Member States and Associated Countries and may be eligible for funding under EDIP. The call document (section 6) contains the precise list of eligible countries and associated country rules; applicants should verify the definitive eligible country list in that document ¹.

Target Sector

Sector: defence and defence industrial policy support. Thematic focus is on defence industrial readiness, armament cooperation and administrative/operational capacity of SEAPs, including establishing and maintaining defence industrial readiness pools. This sits within defence industry, security of supply and armament programme management rather than R&D, although it supports industrial readiness activities.

Mentioned Countries

Countries and regions explicitly mentioned in the opportunity information and related EDIP materials: European Union (Member States), Norway, Ukraine. The call is under EDF/EDIP and addresses SEAPs created by Member States and associated countries; full eligible country list is in the call document ¹.

Project Stage

Expected project maturity: organisational set-up and initial operations. The call finances initial operational costs of established SEAPs for at least one year; maturity expectation is that SEAPs are already legally established and require funding to operate, recruit staff, set up office space and manage defence industrial readiness pools. This is an operational/start-up stage rather than research or technology development.

Funding Amount

Total call budget: €10,000,000. Maximum EU contribution per project: €2,000,000. The budget may be split across multiple cut-offs; indicative distribution for budget years 2026 and 2027 is shown on the portal but the ceiling remains €2,000,000 per successful proposal.

Application Type

Application method: open call via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal with multiple cut-off deadlines (13 October 2026, 16 February 2027, 28 September 2027). Submission is electronic via the Portal; the submission system will open as indicated on the topic header.

Nature of Support

Beneficiaries will receive financial support in the form of lump-sum grants (monetary support). Non-financial support (guidance, online manuals, partner search tools) is available through the Funding & Tenders Portal but the call funds operational costs via lump sums.

Application Stages

Standard EU grants evaluation and award process applies: a single-stage proposal submission is anticipated followed by evaluation, award decision and grant agreement signature. The portal refers to evaluation sections in the call document and the Online Manual for full process descriptions. The indicative evaluation timeline and grant agreement milestones are provided in the call document section 4 and section 8. Practically applicants should expect: (1) electronic submission, (2) eligibility/admissibility check, (3) technical evaluation against award criteria, (4) award decision and grant preparation (grant agreement negotiation and signature).

Success Rates

Success rates are not published for this specific topic. With a total budget of €10,000,000 and a maximum of €2,000,000 per project, up to approximately five projects could be funded in aggregate, but the actual number depends on individual project requests and quality. The Commission may reallocate funding between cut-offs and calls depending on demand.

Co-funding Requirement

The call uses lump sum grants. The call text does not explicitly state a required co-funding rate for this specific topic; detailed information on eligible costs, lump sum calculations, and whether additional co-funding is required will be provided in the call document and Model Grant Agreement. Applicants must consult the call document to confirm whether co-funding or matching funds are required or recommended ¹.

Templates and application structure

Application form templates and Part B (proposal description) layout limitations will be available in the Submission System and in the call document. The portal indicates an Application Form Part A and Part B structure typical for Funding & Tenders Portal calls. Applicants should prepare to provide: 1) Administrative data (legal name, LEAR, contact person), 2) Short abstract and objectives, 3) Detailed description of planned operational activities for at least one year (office setup, staffing plan, recruitment timelines, governance and management of readiness pools), 4) Detailed budget justification mapped to the lump sum request and milestone/deliverable schedule, 5) Explanation of SEAP legal status and supporting documentation proving SEAP establishment under international law, 6) Risk management and sustainability plan, 7) Compliance statements for financial and operational capacity, and 8) Any partner or subcontractor descriptions if applicable. Exact templates and page limits will be set in Part B of the Application Form in the Submission System and in section 5 of the call document ¹.

1. 1Prepare proof of SEAP legal establishment and mandate to act as an international legal body managing armament programmes.
2. 2Develop a one-year operational plan with clear milestones: office rental and setup, recruitment (roles and timeline), operational governance, and readiness pool establishment/management activities.
3. 3Estimate lump-sum budget request not exceeding €2,000,000 and map activities to deliverables and milestones in the application form.
4. 4Gather administrative registrations, LEAR appointments and financial capacity documents as required by the Portal rules and Rules for Legal Entity Validation.
5. 5Follow application layout and page limits as set in Part B of the Application Form; submit electronically by the cut-off deadline on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
6. 6Contact DEFIS-EDIP-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu early for clarifications and use the Portal help resources and Online Manual.

What is this opportunity about and how to explain it:

This Funding & Tenders Portal topic finances the initial operational phase of Structures for European Armament Programmes (SEAPs). The objective is pragmatic: enable already-established SEAPs to become operational by funding tangible start-up costs (office rental, staff recruitment, operational management) and to support SEAP activities that create and manage defence industrial readiness pools. Funding is provided as EDF lump-sum grants under the EDIP/EDF framework. Applicants should be SEAP legal entities (or entities explicitly eligible in the call document) and present a robust one-year operational plan with clear milestones, deliverables and a lump-sum budget request up to €2,000,000. The call sits in a broader EDIP package designed to strengthen the European defence industrial base, improve security of supply, and foster cross-border armament cooperation involving the EU, Norway and Ukraine in specific EDIP strands. Detailed eligibility, admissibility, evaluation criteria, and templates are in the call document and submission system; applicants must consult those documents and follow the Portal submission rules closely to ensure their application meets all formal requirements ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Call document and application templates will be published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Access the topic page for full call documentation and submission instructions EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Support for the Functioning of SEAPs under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP)

This continuous call for proposals EDF-EDIP-P under the European Defence Fund (EDF) provides funding to support the initial operations of established Structures for European Armament Programmes (SEAPs). SEAPs are legal frameworks created by the EDIP regulation for Member States, associated countries (including Norway), and Ukraine to manage international armament programmes collaboratively. The call specifically targets support for establishing, managing, and maintaining defence industrial readiness pools, which are strategic reserves of defence products that can be sold or leased preferentially to participating states.

Objectives and Expected Impact

The primary objective is to enable established SEAPs to function effectively during their initial operations for at least one year. This includes renting office space, recruiting personnel, and upholding operations. Proposals must focus on supporting these activities, with an emphasis on defence industrial readiness pools to ensure dynamic availability management of defence products.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants are established SEAPs, which require at least three participating Member States, associated countries, or Ukraine. SEAPs act as legal interfaces for joint procurement, lifecycle management of defence products, and management of readiness pools. Detailed eligibility conditions, including eligible countries and other criteria, are described in section 6 of the call document (available shortly). Financial and operational capacity requirements are outlined in section 7.

Funding Details

Total Budget:€10,000,000 across budget years 2026 (€4,000,000) and 2027 (€6,000,000). The budget may be reallocated based on proposal quality and number.

Maximum EU Contribution per Project:€2,000,000, enabling multiple projects to be funded.

Grant Type:EDF Lump Sum Grants (EDF-LS) under the EDF Lump Sum Grant Model Agreement (EDF-AG-LS).EDIP Official Page

Key Dates and Submission

1. 1Planned opening date: 2 September 2026
2. 2Cut-off deadlines: 13 October 2026 (17:00 Brussels time), 16 February 2027 (17:00 Brussels time), 28 September 2027 (17:00 Brussels time)
3. 3Submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; system opens on the planned opening date.

Evaluation and Award Process

Admissibility conditions (proposal page limits and layout) are in section 5 of the call document and Part B of the Application Form. Evaluation processes, award criteria, scoring thresholds, and indicative timelines are detailed in sections 4, 8, and 9 of the call document and the Online Manual. Legal and financial set-up is in section 10.

Scope and Requirements

Proposals must support SEAP initial operations for at least one year, including activities to establish and maintain defence industrial readiness pools. SEAPs benefit from EDIP incentives such as potential bonus funding in related calls (e.g., IRA and CPA), VAT exemptions, and streamlined governance for cross-border cooperation.¹EDIP Overview

Additional Resources and Support

• Call document, application forms, and annexes: Available shortly on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Contact: DEFIS-EDIP-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu for call-related queries.
• IT Helpdesk for technical submission issues.
• Online Manual, FAQs, and guidance documents available on the portal.
• Partner search announcements enabled for logged-in users.

Note: Call documents and templates are forthcoming as of the current portal status. Monitor the primary opportunity page for updates.EU Funding Portal

Footnotes

1. 1SEAPs are highlighted in EDIP as key for collaborative procurement and readiness pools, with incentives in other EDIP components like Industrial Reinforcement Actions (IRA) and Common Procurement Actions (CPA).