[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

October 16, 2025 (single stage)

€25,000,000 total budget for topic | Typical project duration: multi-year

Funding to develop next-generation unmanned underwater systems and networks for EU defence, focusing on interoperability, innovation, and operational demonstration in challenging maritime environments.

Consortium required; strict eligibility for EU/associated countries and defence sector standards.

--- ## Description This opportunity, under the European Defence Fund (EDF), supports the development of a new generation of Unmanned Underwater Super Systems (UUSS) and advanced underwater networks. The call aims to enhance the EU’s capabilities in underwater warfare by addressing current technological, interoperability, and operational challenges. Projects will focus on designing, prototyping, and demonstrating interoperable, modular, and innovative UUSS capable of supporting manned-unmanned teaming, swarming, and collaborative missions in real-world maritime environments. The initiative emphasizes open, non-proprietary standards, integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and lifecycle sustainability. Outcomes are expected to improve EU strategic competitiveness, protect critical maritime infrastructure, and fill capability gaps in anti-submarine warfare, seabed warfare, mine countermeasures, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and multi-domain operations. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: February 18, 2025 - Submission deadline: October 16, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage) --- ## Funding Amount - Total topic budget: €25,000,000 - Funding is awarded via actual cost grants; individual project funding will depend on the size and scope of the consortium and proposed activities. - Typical project duration is multi-year, with scope for design, prototyping, and operational demonstration. --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible applicants:** Consortia of legal entities (public or private), established in EU Member States or EDF Associated Countries (notably Norway). - **Consortium requirements:** Proposals must be submitted by a consortium meeting EDF rules, typically including multiple organisations from different eligible countries. - **Control and ownership:** Entities must not be controlled by non-associated third countries unless strict guarantees are provided (see Article 9(4) of the EDF Regulation). - **Third country participation:** Work performed in or by subsidiaries in non-associated third countries is not eligible for funding. - **Sectors:** Defence sector focus; proposals must address operational requirements of EU and associated countries’ armed forces. - **Additional requirements:** See sections 6 and 13 of the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_edf-2025-da_en.pdf). --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/EDF-2025-DA-UWW-AUWN-STEP?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=15&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Format:** Single-stage submission; application templates and forms are provided on the portal. - **Mandatory activities:** Proposals must include: - Integration of existing research and industrial outcomes - Studies (requirements analysis, design studies, certification planning) - Design and dimensioning of UUSS and networks - Prototyping and validation - **Optional activities:** Testing, qualification, certification, and lifecycle efficiency improvements. - **Consortium Agreement:** Required for all funded consortia. - **Evaluation:** Based on criteria outlined in the call document (excellence, impact, quality, and efficiency of implementation). --- ## Additional Information - **Technology focus:** Solutions should reach up to TRL 7 (potentially TRL 8 for subsystems) and support open, modular, and future-oriented architectures. - **Operational scope:** Projects should address a broad range of underwater warfare scenarios, including anti-submarine, seabed, mine countermeasures, ISR, special forces support, and protection of critical infrastructure. - **Synergies:** Proposals should build on or complement previous EU or NATO-funded research, particularly in underwater manned-unmanned teaming and swarms. - **Documentation:** Detailed requirements, eligibility, and evaluation criteria are in the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_edf-2025-da_en.pdf). --- ## External Links - [Call Topic Page (EU Funding & Tenders Portal)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/EDF-2025-DA-UWW-AUWN-STEP?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=15&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call Document and Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_edf-2025-da_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form (EDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/temp-form/af/af_edf_en.pdf) - [Detailed Budget Table (EDF DA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_edf-da_en.xlsm) - [EDF Programme Overview](https://ec.europa.eu/defence-industry-space/eu-defence-industry/european-defence-fund-edf_en) - [Online Manual for Applicants](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [FAQ for EDF Calls](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=10&sortBy=publicationDate&isExactMatch=true&type=1&grantCategories=p_submission_eval) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact/Link | |------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General call queries | DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu | | Funder contact | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | IT/Portal support | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | National focal points | [EDF National Focal Point Network](https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/network-european-defence-fund-national-focal-point_en) | ---

Advanced underwater networks

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