A call for proposals on disruptive technologies for defence is aimed for research proposals on cutting-edge, high-risk/high-impact research leading to game changing impact in a defence context.
The proposals should focus on enhanced or completely new technologies that bring about a paradigm shift in the concept and conduct of defence affairs such as by replacing existing defence technologies or rendering them obsolete.
The European Defence Fund (EDF) supports actions that can help develop disruptive technologies based on concepts or ideas originating from “non-traditional defence’s state-of-art” or emerging technologies equally disruptive, contributing to the development of innovative defence systems.
Rewards & Benefits
Unique focus, fostering SME presence in disruptive technologies through the specific research call for a smaller size consortium of minimum two entities from two EU Member States and Norway
Receive 100% of required funding
Successful beneficiaries can receive business coaching: reduce the time of bringing results to the next phase of development
How does it work?
Under the disruptive technologies call for action in the EDF, an open and non-thematic call is published. This follows the same rules as non-thematic calls reserved for SMEs.
In the 2023 Work Programme, the calls target low technological readiness levels. Generating and integrating knowledge can be funded, not excluding downstream eligible activities for research actions.
This call targets SMEs, research organisations, start-ups, and other small players that are eager to explore new technologies, aside or in parallel to thematic calls in the EDF. To apply for this call, consult the Work Programme and the Funding & Tenders opportunities online portal.
A total of up to EUR 16 million are available under this call, with the requested funding not exceeding EUR 4 million per proposal.
Applicants need to be members of a consortium (at least two companies) based in at least two different Member States.
Successful applicants receive funding in the form of a lump sum grant.
Disruptive technologies calls focus on enhanced or completely new technologies that bring about a radical change, including a paradigm shift in the concept and conduct of defence affairs such as by replacing existing defence technologies or rendering them obsolete.
In the 2023 Work Programme, this specifically means a non-thematic call that targets research actions. Proposals should therefore primarily consist of activities aiming to create, underpin and improve disruptive technologies that can achieve significant effects in the area of defence.
Applicants need to be members of a consortium (at least two companies) based in at least two different Member States, and respect the other eligibility conditions of the EDF Regulation as reflected in the call texts.
No. Applicants need to be members of a consortium (at least two companies) based in at least two different Member States.
To apply for a disruptive technologies call, applicants should consult the Work Programme as well as the Commission’s Funding and Tender Opportunities online portal.
The disruptive technology call contained in the 2023 Work Programme (EDF-2023-LS-RA-DIS-NT) opens 15 June 2023. It closes 22 November 2023 (17:00:00 Brussels time). More information can be found in the Funding and Tenders online portal.
Calls targeting research actions are 100% funded.