The European Defence Agency (EDA) has received so far 21 submissions in response to the “Call for Proposals for the Pilot Project on defence research” closed on 23 June.* The objective of the call is to award grant agreements for the value of almost €1.4 million for two technological development projects in the area of defence and one research and development project linked to certification for military and civil uses. Received proposals came from across Europe (twelve countries) and cover all of the aforementioned activities.
“The good number of proposals received shows the interest in the Pilot Project by SMEs, industry and R&T organisations. The Pilot Project – as a predecessor to the larger Preparatory Action for defence-related research – is an important test bed for funding of defence research through the EU budget. The European Defence Agency is looking forward to advancing the projects and to opening this new chapter in the way defence research is funded in Europe”, comments Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency.
The Pilot Project has been entrusted to EDA by the European Commission through a Delegation Agreement which was signed on 16 November 2015. As a result, EDA is responsible for the execution and management of the projects. The call for proposals, the submission of proposals, the evaluation and the awarding of the grant agreement is organised and coordinated by EDA.
The evaluation of the proposals will be conducted over the summer period with the objective to conclude the grant agreements before year end.
Background
Research in defence related technologies is critical for the development of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base and the strength and strategic autonomy of the EU Member States armed forces. The European Commission, in agreement with the European Council, will launch a Preparatory Action on defence research, which will start in 2017 and last for three years. Its aim is to test and prepare the ground for a possible defence research programme in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The Pilot Project has been introduced in the EU budget (2015 and 2016) adopted by the European Council and the European Parliament, on the basis of an initiative of the latter.
The EDA published the Call for proposals for the Pilot Project in March 2016. The deadline to respond was on 23 June 2016 and the three activities covered are relating to Unmanned Heterogeneous Swarm of Sensor Platforms, Inside Building Awareness and Navigation for Urban Warfare and Standardisation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Detect and Avoid (DAA).”
* More submissions might be received in the coming days by post.
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