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

February 18, 2025 (opens) | October 16, 2025 (deadline)

€49,000,000 total for this topic; single-stage; award amounts vary by project scope.

Supports EU-wide standards and technologies for collaborative air combat, aiming to enhance interoperability, AI sovereignty, and joint capabilities among EU and associated countries' air forces.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity, under the European Defence Fund (EDF), seeks proposals to develop a consolidated EU approach to collaborative air combat. The call targets harmonisation, standardisation, and sharing of processes and tools among EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries, with a focus on joint air combat capabilities. The scope includes addressing interoperability challenges between diverse air force systems—including integration of future unmanned systems—and developing common EU standards that are also interoperable with NATO. Proposals should foster EU technological sovereignty in AI for military applications, incrementally increase the interoperability of warfare systems, and harmonise industrial processes related to collaborative air combat. Key objectives: - Develop common, interoperable EU standards for collaborative air combat. - Foster an EU ecosystem for sovereign AI technologies for military use. - Enable collective and efficient operations and better resource utilisation. - Identify and implement "quick wins" for current and future systems. - Harmonise industrial processes and methods for collaborative air combat capabilities. Activities may include studies, design and prototyping of interoperable architectures and interfaces, development of AI-based components, and demonstration of proposed standards in operational scenarios. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: February 18, 2025 - Submission deadline: October 16, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Total budget for this topic: €49,000,000 - Single-stage application process - Individual project funding amounts will depend on proposal scope and evaluation --- ## Eligibility - Open to legal entities established in EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries. - Proposals must involve at least three eligible entities from at least three different eligible countries. - Specific eligibility, admissibility, and other conditions 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-da_en.pdf). - Activities must not undermine the security or defence interests of the EU and its Member States. --- ## Application Process - Single-stage submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/EDF-2025-DA-AIR-CAC?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=15&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Complete the application form and provide all required annexes (see "Conditions and documents" on the portal). - Mandatory activities: feasibility studies and design tasks; optional activities include prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, and development to increase lifecycle efficiency. - Evaluation based on excellence, impact, quality, efficiency of implementation, and contribution to EU defence priorities. - For detailed guidance, consult the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual). --- ## Additional Information - Proposals must demonstrate synergies and complementarity with ongoing or completed activities in air combat, especially prior EDF projects. - Emphasis on developing interoperable, scalable, and secure mission systems for both manned and unmanned platforms. - Compliance with NATO and other coalition standards is required. - The call encourages participation by cross-border SMEs. - All functional requirements and further details are in the official [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 & Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/EDF-2025-DA-AIR-CAC?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-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](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_edf-da_en.xlsm) - [Participant Information Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/edf/temp-form/af/participant-information_edf_en.docx) - [EDF Annual Work Programme](https://ec.europa.eu/defence-industry-space/eu-defence-industry/european-defence-fund-edf_en) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [General FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General enquiries | [DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu](mailto: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) | | European Commission | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Phone (switchboard) | +32 2 299 11 11 |

Collaborative air combat

Sign in to see full grant listing