Grants8 | The most comprehensive grants search on the web

Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to develop a new generation of Unmanned Underwater Super Systems (UUSS) and networks. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries in operating and coordinating unmanned systems within the underwater warfare domain, striving to achieve Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of 7 to 8 for the developed systems or subsystems. - Target recipient type and size: Organizations with significant capacity in defence technology and research, capable of contributing to the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). This likely includes large enterprises, research organizations, and potentially specialized SMEs. - Designation: SECTOR-SPECIFIC (Defence, Marine Technology). - Geographic scope: EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries. - Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: Focus on advanced underwater networks, unmanned systems (UUVs, UUSS), high TRL development (7-8), defence applications, and the capacity to undertake mandatory activities like studies, design, and prototyping. - Grant frequency: Recurring (part of the European Defence Fund's annual work programme). - Program context: This topic is a 'Development Action' under the European Defence Fund (EDF-DA), contributing to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) objectives, specifically in deep and digital technologies.

Financial Structure

The total budget allocated for this specific topic (EDF-2025-DA-UWW-AUWN-STEP) is 25,000,000 EUR.
No specific minimum or maximum grant amount per individual project is stated.
The grant operates on an 'actual cost' basis, meaning reimbursement will be for eligible costs actually incurred.
Co-financing is a requirement, as indicated by the need to submit a 'Cofinancing declaration'. The specific co-financing percentage is not detailed in the provided information.
Eligible costs encompass a range of mandatory activities, including 'integrating knowledge', 'studies', 'design', and 'system prototyping'. Optional but eligible activities include 'testing', 'qualification', 'certification', and the 'development of technologies or assets increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defence products and technologies'.
An 'Actual indirect cost methodology declaration' is required, implying that indirect costs are eligible under specific calculation rules.
Financial reporting and audit requirements are in place, governed by the 'EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509' and outlined in the 'Legal and financial set-up of the grants' section of the call document.
Applicants will undergo a 'Financial and operational capacity' assessment.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type & Legal Structure

Not explicitly defined, but implies entities with demonstrated capability and capacity in defence development and research.
Applicants are expected to contribute to the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB).

Geographic Requirements

Eligible organizations must be established in EU Member States or EDF Associated Countries.

Technical & Capacity Requirements

Projects must aim to develop systems and subsystems up to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7, with potential for TRL 8 on sub-system level.
Applicants must demonstrate the capability to perform mandatory activities: integrating existing knowledge, conducting comprehensive studies (including requirements analysis and conceptual design), undertaking design work, and system prototyping.
While optional, the capacity for testing, qualification, and certification of defence products is highly encouraged and expected.
Solutions should build upon results from prior EU underwater research activities.

Compliance & Exclusion

Proposals must adhere to specific page limits and layout guidelines as detailed in section 5 of the call document (not provided here).
Adherence to other eligibility conditions outlined in section 6 of the call document (not provided here).
Applicants must meet the financial and operational capacity requirements, and not fall under any exclusion criteria, as described in section 7 of the call document (not provided here).
The legal and financial setup of the grants is described in section 10 of the call document (not provided here).

Application Process

Submission Timeline

The submission session for this call opened on 2025-02-18.
The application deadline is 2025-10-16 00:00:00+0000.
The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is detailed in section 4 of the full call document (not provided here).

Application Process & Submission

The application process is a single-stage procedure.
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the dedicated Electronic Submission Service on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Applicants need to authenticate through EU Login to access the submission system.

Required Documentation

Standard application form (EDF), specific to this call.
Detailed budget table (EDF DA format).
Participant information (EDF).
List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources (EDF).
Cofinancing declaration (EDF DA, DA LS AND ASAP format).
Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (EDF).
Harmonised capability declaration (EDF DA AND DA LS).
Declaration on procurement intent and common specifications (EDF DA AND DA LS).
Ownership control declaration.
PRS declaration (EDF).
Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout described in Part B of the Application Form.

Support & Resources

For help related to this call, contact [email protected].
Additional support resources include the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ (specifically on submission of proposals), EDF Info-days 2025, the IT Helpdesk for technical issues, and the Online Manual for step-by-step guidance.

Post-Award & Reporting

Projects are expected to implement mandatory activities: integrating knowledge, studies, design, and prototyping.
Optional activities include testing, qualification, and certification of the developed systems.
Reporting obligations, including financial and technical progress reports, will be in accordance with the signed Model Grant Agreement (MGA) and the EU Financial Regulation.

Evaluation Criteria

Strategic Relevance & Impact

Proposals will be assessed on their contribution to enhancing security for EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries in areas such as Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Seabed Warfare (SBW), Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Special Forces (SF) Support, Mine Countermeasures (MCM), Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), protection of critical infrastructure, and situational awareness.
Evaluation will consider the effective use of synergies within the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), aiming to avoid duplication, achieve interoperable standards, and reduce development risks and costs.
The extent to which the project improves EU strategic competitiveness and autonomy will be a key factor.
Solutions' ability to fill identified capability gaps of EU Member States' and EDF Associated Countries' armed forces concerning Unmanned Teaming and Swarms (UTS) will be crucial.

Quality & Excellence of Solution

The quality of the proposed new generation of Unmanned Underwater Super Systems (UUSS) and networks, aiming for TRL 7-8, will be evaluated.
Projects should demonstrate innovative, interoperable, and future-oriented designs, emphasizing modular structures to maximize operational lifecycle and minimize costs.
The integration of common non-proprietary and interoperable standards will be highly valued.
Proposals should incorporate solutions that effectively utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for data analysis, information handling, system monitoring, and decision aid.
The system architecture should be open, non-proprietary, modular, adaptable, and agile, complying with specified functional requirements.
Solutions' capacity to overcome challenges in the underwater environment (e.g., low communication range/bandwidth, lack of satellite navigation, poor visibility) will be assessed.

Implementation & Feasibility

A clear and comprehensive survey and analysis of operational requirements and concepts across EU Member States' and EDF Associated Countries' armed forces is expected.
The feasibility and suitability of the design must be substantiated through the planned assembly of early demonstrators or far-developed prototypes.
Projects should clearly outline features such as configurability (e.g., variable mission equipment), expandability (e.g., exchangeable fuselage sections), and cross-platform subsystem development.
The plan for technical aspects (e.g., structural, electrical, thermal, radiation) and operational aspects (e.g., demonstration, validation of mission segments, collaborative capabilities) will be scrutinized.
A robust strategy for regulatory aspects, including certification by public regulations and standards (e.g., EU, NATO), should be presented.
Proposals must clearly demonstrate synergies and complementarities with existing, ongoing, or foreseen activities in underwater warfare, particularly those related to common non-proprietary and interoperable standards for UTS operations.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory & Legal Compliance

Projects must strictly adhere to EDF Regulation 2021/697 and the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509.
Compliance with the legal and financial setup of grants, as detailed in section 10 of the call document, is mandatory.
Developed systems and subsystems must integrate European or NATO standards.
Certification of the Unmanned Underwater Super Systems (UUSS), systems, and subsystems by relevant public regulations and standards (e.g., regulatory authorities, industry standards, EU, NATO) is an expected activity.

Technical & Security Standards

'Information Security in military operations' is a fundamental functional requirement for the developed solutions.
Design and development approaches should proactively mitigate risks through innovative, interoperable, and future-oriented designs, particularly emphasizing modular structures.

Strategic Alignment & Innovation

This grant topic directly contributes to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) objectives, focusing on the advancement of deep and digital technologies within the defence sector.
There is a strong emphasis on innovation to counter the rapid evolution of Unmanned eXperimental Vehicles (UxV) technology, ensuring adaptability, long operational lifecycles, and cost minimization.
Proposed solutions are required to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for critical functions such as data analysis, information handling, system monitoring, and decision aid.

Unique Project Considerations

The grant targets a highly specialized and sensitive area: enhancing defence capabilities in underwater warfare for EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.
Applicants must demonstrate a profound understanding of military operational domains and the specific requirements of armed forces.
Projects are expected to strategically leverage and build upon existing research outcomes from prior EU underwater activities.
Functional requirements for the proposed solutions are very specific, covering capabilities for diverse Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) sizes (small, medium, large, extra-large), the integration of various sensors and manipulation devices, support for human divers during Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, long-range critical infrastructure surveillance, and the development of mothership/carrier concepts for multi-domain UxV deployment.

Grant Details