Non-thematic research actions targeting disruptive technologies for defence

The main goal of this opportunity is to support the development of radically new future technologies with the potential for unexpected impacts in the defence sector. It seeks to foster high-risk, high-impact research that could lead to game-changing advances, giving a technological edge in military contexts. The focus is on disruptive technologies that challenge current scientific or technological paradigms and have strong relevance for defence applications. Projects should aim for ambitious breakthroughs that can shape the future of defence capabilities. This opportunity is open to eligible countries as described in the call document.

• Projects must focus on cutting-edge, high-risk/high-impact research with potential for game-changing results in defence.
• They should demonstrate a disruptive impact on military operations and challenge current technological paradigms.
• Projects must target novel and ambitious scientific or technological breakthroughs suitable for defence applications.
• Proposals must comply with admissibility conditions, such as page limits and layout, as described in the application form.

Examples of admissible projects:

• A research project exploring quantum-based secure communication systems for military use.
• Development of next-generation artificial intelligence algorithms designed to radically enhance autonomous defence systems.
• Investigation of new materials with unique properties that could fundamentally improve protective military equipment.

• Generating Knowledge: Creating or improving knowledge, products, or technologies with significant defence effects (mandatory).
• Integrating Knowledge: Increasing interoperability and resilience, securing production and data exchange, mastering critical defence technologies, and enabling effective exploitation of results (optional).
• Feasibility Studies: Exploring the feasibility of new or improved products, technologies, processes, services, or solutions (optional).
• Design: Designing defence products, components, or technologies, including defining technical specifications and conducting partial tests in industrial or representative environments (optional).

Restrictions: Activities such as system prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, and development of technologies for increasing efficiency across the lifecycle of defence products are not eligible for funding.

• Budget for this call: 20,000,000€

• Applicants must be based in eligible countries (as described in the call document).
• Projects must meet admissibility conditions, including proposal page limits and layout.
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity.
• Applicants must not fall under any exclusion criteria.
• Other specific conditions may apply as outlined in the call document.

Eligibility may depend on meeting detailed requirements described in the application form and call document.