CFPs: Non-thematic development actions by SMEs

Objective

• This call topic encourages the driving role of innovative SMEs to turn technology and research results into defence products in a fast and cost-efficient way, possibly by adapting technologies from civil applications or addressing hybrid warfare.

Scope

• The proposals must address innovative defence products, solutions and technologies, including those that can improve readiness, deployability, reliability, safety and sustainability of forces in defence tasks and missions, for example in terms of operations, equipment, infrastructure, energy solutions, surveillance systems or digital solutions.
• The proposals must address any area of interest for defence.
• In addition, to best complement R&D efforts already targeting civil applications and to encourage the efficient spinning-in of knowledge, innovation and technological development to the defence sector, this call topic also welcomes proposals for add-on development actions to adapt solutions originally developed for civil applications and previously not applied in defence sector. The proposals should drive forward or integrate results of projects funded under EU funded programme calls with a focus on civil applications and under the provision that the applicants have the necessary rights to access and commercialise the results of the precursor projects.

Funding Information

• Total Budget: €36,000,000 (36 million euros).
• Type of Grant: EDF Lump Sum Grants.

Expected Impact

• The outcome should contribute to:
  • Innovative, rapid and cost-effective solutions for defence applications.
  • Ground-breaking or novel concepts and approaches, new promising future technological improvements or the application of technologies or concepts previously not applied in the defence sector.
  • Enhanced innovation capacity across Europe by involvement of SMEs that can make a difference in the future.
  • Potential for future market creation for SMEs, especially by facilitating access of SMEs to defence markets and supply chains.
  • Contribution to the development of EDTIB ecosystems and to the strengthening of EU Member States’ and EDF Associated Countries’ defence supply chains.

Eligible Activities

• Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience, including secured production and exchange of data, to master critical defence technologies, to strengthen the security of supply or to enable the effective exploitation of results for defence products and technologies (integrating knowledge)
• Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or upgraded products, technologies, processes, services and solutions
• Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology as well as the definition of the technical specifications on which such design has been developed, including partial tests for risk reduction in an industrial or representative environment
• System prototyping of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
• Testing of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
• Qualification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
• Certification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
• Development of technologies or assets increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defence products and technologies

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible, all applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must cumulatively:
  • be legal entities (public or private bodies)
  • be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
    • non-EU countries :
      • listed EEA countries (‘EDF associated countries’)
  • have their executive management structure established in eligible countries
  • not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or non-associated third-country entity
  • be small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the meaning of EU Recommendation 2003/361

For more information, visit EC.