Deadline Date: September 29, 2026
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to strengthen strategic intelligence and operational effectiveness by advancing the capabilities of high-frequency over-the-horizon radar systems, enabling superior detection, tracking, and identification of distant targets.
This initiative focuses on improving HF OTH systems, integrating HF surface (active, cooperative, and passive) and skywave radar technologies, exploring scalable cognitive networks of HF OTH sensors, and conducting studies, design activities, and proof-of-concept demonstrations with modular scalability for future prototypes. Proposals should address detection of challenging targets, including hypersonic, slow surface, and low-observable stealth targets, and should maximize the use of EU-sourced technology. The program contributes to STEP objectives in deep and digital technologies and supports efficient adaptation of civil technologies for defence applications.
The indicative budget for this initiative is EUR 29,000,000, funding studies, research, experimentation, and proof-of-concept development of innovative HF OTH radar solutions. These systems exploit HF wave propagation to achieve long-range coverage—thousands of kilometres via sky waves and hundreds via surface waves. Sky-wave radars are suitable for large countries, while networked OTH radar units are needed for geographically smaller regions to ensure comprehensive air and maritime situational awareness.
Proposals must culminate in proof-of-concept designs demonstrating developed functionality and serving as testbeds for future prototype-scale projects. Technologies should be validated with small-scale or reduced-functionality demonstrators, ensuring modularity for future expansion, and initial testing in networked environments using existing equipment will be favorably considered.
Applicants must be legal entities, public or private, established in eligible countries, including EU Member States (with overseas territories), EEA countries, and EDF associated countries. Executive management must be located in eligible countries, and applicants must not be controlled by non-associated third countries unless guarantees are approved. Only small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under EU Recommendation definitions are eligible.
For more information, visit European Commission.
