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.
Successful SME beneficiaries will be offered Business Coaching, to reduce the time of bringing the results to the next phase, e.g., development.
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 may address any area of interest for defence, such as, but not limited to, the following ones:
Types of activities
The following table lists the types of activities which are eligible for this topic (see Article 10(3) EDF Regulation):
Types of activities (art 10(3) EDF Regulation) | Eligible? | |
(a) | Activities that aim to create, underpin and improve knowledge, products and technologies, including disruptive technologies, which can achieve significant effects in the area of defence (generating knowledge) | No |
(b) | 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) | Yes |
(c) | Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or upgraded products, technologies, processes, services and solutions | Yes |
(d) | Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology as well as the definition of the technical specifications on which such a design has been developed, including any partial test for risk reduction in an industrial or representative environment | Yes |
(e) | System prototyping of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology | Yes |
(f) | Testing of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology | Yes |
(g) | Qualification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology | Yes |
(h) | Certification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology | Yes |
(i) | Development of technologies or assets increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defence products and technologies | Yes |
The proposals must address at least one activity among design, system prototyping, testing, qualification, certification and increasing efficiency.
The proposals must describe a clear work breakdown structure and link the proposed tasks to eligible activities.
The proposals should include clear descriptions of the proposed criteria to assess work package completion.
Moreover:
and
Functional requirements
This call topic is open to any technology development for defence. The proposals should describe the targeted functionalities and the foreseen means to measure progress toward the achievements of these functionalities.
Expected Impact: