Grant Details

GRANT OVERVIEW

Grant name and funding organization

Digital Ship and Naval Combat Cloud

European Defence Fund (EDF)

Total funding amount and duration

Total budget for the call is €54,000,000.

Submission deadline is October 16, 2025.

Primary objective and mission statement

To develop a digital platform for naval operations that enhances interoperability and data exchange.

To support the strategic autonomy of the EU in the naval sector.

Key stakeholders and beneficiaries

EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.

Naval industries and defense technology developers.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Organization Requirements

Eligible organization types include government entities, research institutions, and private companies.

Organizations must be registered in the Participant Portal and have a positive self-assessment for SME/mid-cap status.

Geographic Scope

Eligible countries include all EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.

Projects must involve at least two Member States or EDF associated countries.

Project Requirements

Projects must focus on developing a digital naval combat cloud and enhancing interoperability.

Mandatory activities include studies, design, prototyping, and testing of the digital platform.

Financial Requirements

Funding rate is up to 100% for eligible costs.

No matching fund requirements specified.

Timeline Requirements

Application deadline is October 16, 2025.

Projects must be completed within the specified timeframe set by the EDF.

Previous Funding Considerations

Projects must not duplicate existing or ongoing activities funded under previous EDF calls.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Required documentation and materials

Proposals must include a detailed project description, budget table, and participant information.

Evaluation criteria and scoring system

Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance, impact, quality of implementation, and cost-effectiveness.

Review process and timeline

Proposals will undergo a single-stage evaluation process.

Selection criteria and priorities

Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate collaboration among multiple Member States.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Unique aspects or requirements

Proposals must address cybersecurity aspects in the development of the digital platform.

Potential challenges or limitations

Challenges may include ensuring interoperability among diverse naval systems.

Strategic alignment opportunities

Projects should align with the strategic objectives of the European Defence Fund.

Competitive advantages or disadvantages

Collaborative projects may have a competitive advantage in securing funding.

KEY INSIGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Critical success factors

Strong collaboration among EU Member States and relevant stakeholders.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Avoid duplication of efforts with existing projects.

Strategic recommendations for applicants

Focus on demonstrating clear benefits in interoperability and operational efficiency.

Competitive positioning advice

Highlight unique technological innovations and collaborative approaches in proposals.

Grant Details

naval combat digital technology interoperability defense EU funding collaborative research cybersecurity defense technology
Digital Ship and Naval Combat Cloud
EDF-2025-DA-NAVAL-DSNCC-STEP
European Defence Fund (EDF)
None
54000000.00
None
None
EUR
100.00
Oct. 15, 2025, 10 p.m.
2025-10-17 to 2025-12-31