Great-depth enabling technologies

The main goal of this opportunity is to advance research and development in technologies that enable operations at great depths under the sea, focusing on depths up to 6000 meters. The initiative aims to address vulnerabilities in critical underwater infrastructure, such as pipelines, cables, and offshore facilities, with a strong emphasis on Seabed Warfare (SBW). Key objectives include improving detection and response capabilities, enhancing technological independence for protecting seabed infrastructure, and designing integrated defense systems for deep-water missions. The opportunity also supports the development of new technologies for unmanned underwater vehicles, advanced detection and communication systems, and specialized weapon systems for SBW. This grant is intended for research actions in the defense sector, especially those involving disruptive technologies.

• Projects must focus on creating, enhancing, or underpinning knowledge, products, or technologies for defense, including disruptive technologies.
• Activities should aim to achieve significant impact in defense, especially related to undersea operations and infrastructure protection.
• Mandatory activities include generating new knowledge and conducting studies, such as feasibility studies for new or improved products, technologies, services, or solutions.
• Projects must follow specific proposal page limits and layout requirements as described in the official application documents.

Examples:

• Developing a new detection system for monitoring deep-sea pipelines against sabotage.
• Conducting a feasibility study on unmanned underwater vehicles for rapid response to seabed threats.
• Designing an integrated communication network for real-time data sharing among deep-sea defense assets.

• Activities to create and improve knowledge, products, and technologies (including disruptive technologies).
• Actions to increase interoperability and resilience of undersea defense systems.
• Feasibility studies for new or improved defense products, technologies, processes, or services.
• Design work for defense products or technologies, including partial testing for risk reduction.
• Integration of new knowledge into existing defense systems.
• Studies that support the design and evaluation of new defense solutions.

Restrictions: System prototyping, full-scale testing, qualification, certification, and development of technologies for lifecycle efficiency are not eligible for funding.

• Budget for this call: 23,000,000€

• Applicants must meet the country eligibility requirements set out in the call documents.
• Only organizations that fulfill the specific conditions for participation are allowed to apply.
• Applicants must demonstrate adequate financial and operational capacity to carry out the project.
• Proposals must comply with the layout and page limit requirements specified in the application form.
• Applicants must not fall under any exclusion criteria described in the call documentation.
• Eligibility may depend on forming networks or partnerships, as described in the call documents.