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

February 18, 2025 (Opening) | October 16, 2025 (Deadline)

€10,000,000 total for this topic; single-stage; typical project duration up to 48 months

Supports development and validation of robotic and autonomous systems for battlefield triage and casualty evacuation in mass-casualty and CBRN scenarios.

Mandatory activities: feasibility studies and design; system prototyping and testing not funded.

--- ## Description This call funds research and development of innovative Robotic and Autonomous System (RAS) capabilities for autonomous and robotic-assisted battlefield triage and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), with a particular focus on mass-casualty situations, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) environments, and high-intensity combat zones. The objective is to leverage unmanned air, ground, and sea vehicles to improve evacuation capacity and enable rapid, automated, or fully autonomous triage—even where first responder access is limited or impossible. Key aims include: - Advancing life-saving technologies for military medical logistics. - Demonstrating proof-of-concept for autonomous vehicles in casualty transport and triage. - Creating R&D roadmaps for RAS CASEVAC platforms. - Improving casualty location, assessment, and monitoring. - Reducing risk exposure for medical personnel. - Developing ethically acceptable AI-based decision algorithms for triage. - Ensuring modularity, interoperability, and operational resilience in contested and CBRN environments. Proposals must address feasibility and design studies, focusing on integration of advanced sensors, AI-based triage (using the START algorithm as a minimum), multi-role modular platforms, plug-and-play capabilities, and robust patient monitoring and protection. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: February 18, 2025 - Proposal deadline: October 16, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total budget for this topic: €10,000,000 - Funding is provided as a single-stage grant under EDF Research Actions (EDF-RA). - Typical project duration is up to 48 months. - Only feasibility studies and design activities are eligible; system prototyping, testing, and qualification are not funded. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be established in EU Member States or associated countries as specified in the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_edf-2025-ra_en.pdf). - Proposals must involve at least three eligible entities from at least three different EU Member States or associated countries. - Additional eligibility and admissibility conditions, including financial and operational capacity, are detailed in the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_edf-2025-ra_en.pdf). --- ## Application Process - 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-RA-MCBRN-ATE?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=15&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Required documents and templates: - [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](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_edf-ra_en.xlsm) - [Participant information](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/temp-form/af/participant-information_edf_en.docx) - [List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/temp-form/af/list-of-infrastructures-facilities-assets-and-resources_edf_en.docx) - Submission is single-stage. - Evaluation criteria and thresholds are described in the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_edf-2025-ra_en.pdf). - For technical support, use the [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form). --- ## Additional Information - Only studies and design activities are eligible; system prototyping, testing, qualification, and certification are not funded. - Proposals must address both technical and ethical aspects of autonomous triage, including explainability and responsibility. - Projects should aim for interoperability, modularity, and adaptability, and consider potential dual-use for civil and law enforcement applications. - Proposals should demonstrate complementarity with ongoing or completed EU-funded activities in medical logistics. --- ## External Links - [Call Topic Page (EDF-2025-RA-MCBRN-ATE)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/EDF-2025-RA-MCBRN-ATE?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=15&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call Document (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_edf-2025-ra_en.pdf) - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home) - [EDF Annual Work Programme](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](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) --- ## Contact Information | Topic | Details | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Call-specific Email | DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu | | IT/Portal Support | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Phone (EC switchboard)| +32 2 299 11 11 |

Autonomous triage and evacuation

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