Deadline Date: September 29, 2026
The European Commission is now accepting grant applications to protect underwater infrastructure while integrating advanced situational awareness and AI-driven monitoring.
The focus areas include protection of seabed infrastructure, development of a comprehensive system incorporating unmanned assets, advanced sensors, underwater observation, detection, acquisition and communication systems, integrated command and control, Underwater Situational Awareness integrated into all-domain Situational Awareness from seabed to space, Artificial Intelligence for data fusion and Big Data management, layered and scalable System of Systems for CSIP missions, interoperability and collaboration among stakeholders, defence of critical underwater infrastructure, deep and digital technologies under STEP objectives, and studies and design activities including upstream research actions.
The targeted activities include studies and design, without excluding upstream research actions. The indicative budget for this call is EUR 30,000,000.
The initiative seeks to design and study a layered and scalable System of Systems operating in real underwater environments. The objective is to provide naval forces of EU Member States and EDF associated countries with a cutting-edge technological solution that enhances interoperability, survivability, and strategic autonomy while strengthening capabilities in emerging technologies used to defend critical underwater infrastructure.
The proposed system must deliver full Underwater Situational Awareness, integrating dedicated algorithms and protocols that exploit Artificial Intelligence for data fusion and effective Big Data management. This capability should be embedded within an all-domain Situational Awareness framework, linking stationary and mobile sensors across at least sea-basin level operations.
The system should address challenges related to great-depth technologies, long-term deployment of persistent platforms and sensors, energy-saving and low-power solutions, and coordination across long, medium, and short-range distances. It should support layered defence operations ranging from prevention and alarm to emergency response.
The call further promotes interoperability and collaboration among government agencies, private sector entities, international partners, research institutions, and non-profit organisations. By facilitating partnerships and the sharing of data, expertise, and technologies, the initiative aims to enhance underwater monitoring, reduce downtime caused by incidents, improve attribution capabilities, and contribute to deterrence. The topic also contributes to the STEP objectives in the investment area of deep and digital technologies.
To be eligible, applicants must be legal entities established in EU Member States, including overseas countries and territories, or in listed EEA countries and countries associated with the EDF Programme. Their executive management structures must be established in eligible countries, and they must not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or entity unless approved guarantees are provided.
For more information, visit European Commission.
