EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE - Version 1.1 - Call for proposals

Oct 3, 2026

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European Defence Fund (EDF) call for proposals EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE sets out research actions delivered as technological challenges through lump-sum grants. Version 1.1 dated 09 September 2026 provides a detailed structure covering background, action types and objectives, specific topic conditions, and expected impact. It defines available budget, timetable and deadlines, admissibility and required documents, participant eligibility, consortium and geographic scope, duration, ethics, and security. It also explains financial/operational capacity, exclusion criteria, and the evaluation and award procedure.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages57

Reading Time2 h 24 min

AccessFree to download

0. Introduction

1. Background

STEP

Business coaching

Financial support to third parties

2. Type of action and funding rate — Objectives — Scope and types of activities — Functional requirements — Expected impact — Specific topic conditions

Type of action and funding rate

2.1. EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-AISAP-STEP

2.2. EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-AISAO

3. Available budget

4. Timetable and deadlines

5. Admissibility and documents

6. Eligibility

Eligible participants (eligible countries)

Consortium composition

Eligible actions and activities

Geographic location (target countries)

Duration

Project budget

Ethics

Security

7. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion

Financial capacity

Operational capacity

Exclusion

8. Evaluation and award procedure

European Defence Fund (EDF) Call for proposals EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE Research actions in the form of a technological challenge implemented via lump sum grants Version 1.1 09 September 2026 | HISTORY OF CHANGES | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Version | Publication
Date | Change | Page | | 1.0 | 11.02.2026 | − Initial version . | | | 1.1 | 08.09.2026 | − Information on EUSurvey for collecting the file passwordsand alternative encryption added | 38 | | | | − | | | | | − | | EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space DEFIS.A – Defence Industry CALL FOR PROPOSALS TABLE OF CONTENTS 0. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 5 1. Background ............................................................................................................................... 7 STEP ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Business coaching..................................................................................................................... 8 Financial support to third parties ................................................................................................ 8 2. Type of action and funding rate — Objectives — Scope and types of activities — Functional requirements — Expected impact — Specific topic conditions ...................................................... 8 Type of action and funding rate .................................................................................................. 8 2.1. EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-AISAP-STEP: AI-based tactical situational awareness using swarms of small robots and drones – Participation in a technological challenge………………………9 Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 9 Scope and types of activities ..................................................................................................... 10 Functional requirements ........................................................................................................... 12 Expected impact ...................................................................................................................... 13 Specific topic conditions ............................................................................................................ 13 2.2. EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-AISAO: AI-based tactical situational awareness using swarms of small robots and drones – Organisation of a technological challenge ..........................13 Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 13 Functional requirements ........................................................................................................... 16 Expected impact ...................................................................................................................... 16 Specific topic conditions ............................................................................................................ 17 3. Available budget ....................................................................................................................... 17 4. Timetable and deadlines ............................................................................................................ 18 5. Admissibility and documents ...................................................................................................... 18 6. Eligibility ..................................................................................................................................20 Eligible participants (eligible countries) ............................

FAQs

What type of activities does EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE support?

It supports research actions implemented as technological challenges through lump-sum grants, with defined objectives, functional requirements, and expected impact.

What are the two specific topics outlined in the call?

The call includes 2.1 EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-AISAP-STEP and 2.2 EDF-2026-LS-RA-CHALLENGE-DIGIT-AISAO, both related to AI-based tactical situational awareness using swarms of small robots and drones.

How are proposals evaluated and awards prepared?

The call describes the evaluation and award procedure, including priority ordering for proposals with the same scores and the steps for grant preparation after evaluation results.

Oct 3, 2026

Upload by Marglet