Request for Proposals: Support to the EDF National Focal Points (NFP) Network

Objective

• The National Focal Points for the EDF (EDF-NFPs) consists of a network of individuals nominated by EU Member States and EDF Associated countries that are supported by national structures established under the responsibility and control of the EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries. The NFPs form an essential part of the EDF implementation by providing practical information, advice, training, and other forms of assistance to stakeholders on all aspects of participation in the EDF.
• This action aims at facilitating trans-national cooperation between EDF-NFPs with a view to identifying and sharing good practices and raising the general standard of support to (potential) programme applicants, taking into account the diversity of actors that could benefit from the programme and thus contribute to strengthening the EDTIB.

Scope

• Proposals must include coordination and support activities in accordance with the following requirements, with a view to improving the competence of EDF NFPs by rapidly acquiring the know-how developed in other EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.
• Key project tasks such as project management and organisation of trainings are not eligible for subcontracting.
• NFPs that choose not to participate as a member of the consortium, are nevertheless invited and encouraged to participate in the action activities (e.g., trainings), and the costs incurred by the consortium for such participation (e.g., travel costs paid by the consortium) may be included in the estimated budget and be eligible for funding by the Commission.

Funding Information

• Topic: EDF-2025-CSA-NFP – EDF Coordination and Support Action
• Budget (EUR): €2,000,000.

Expected Impact

• The outcome should contribute to:
  • Enhance the functioning of the EDF-NFP network.
  • Increase the impact of the EDF in maximising the competitiveness of EU defence industry, its capacity to innovate and contribute to developing key technologies for the future.
  • Strengthen cross-border collaboration between EDF-NFPs and improve coordination in EDF-NFP-related activities that reach more than one Member State or Associated Country.
  • Continuously improve the services of the individual EDF-NFPs with respect to all aspects of participation in the EDF and to all stakeholders concerned.
  • Foster matchmaking activities to facilitate the forming of consortia participating in the EDF calls.
  • Enhance the cooperation of EDF-NFPs with the Enterprise Europe Network and other relevant networks.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible, all applicants(beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must cumulatively:
  • be the national support structures hosting the EDF-NFP or the alternate EDF-NFP officially nominated to the Commission by a Member State or an EDF Associated Country
  • 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.

For more information, visit EC.