Multipurpose unmanned ground systems

This program targets defence-related entities within the European Union and associated countries, fostering collaborative development of advanced Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS). Its primary goal is to enhance European military capabilities, ensuring strategic autonomy and reducing risk to personnel in combat operations.

This program funds the development of multipurpose Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS) with lethal effectors, focusing on system integration and manned-unmanned teaming for defence applications. Supported activities span studies, design, prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, and efficiency improvements, while generating new knowledge is not eligible.

This program offers grants for defence development actions, with an allocated budget of 50,000,000 € for this specific topic in 2024. The total funding amount will cover eligible costs, and projects must align with specific requirements for procurement intent and common specifications, particularly for later-stage activities.

Applicants must adhere to specific admissibility and eligibility criteria, with a strong emphasis on consortium formation involving at least two EU Member States or associated countries. Projects, particularly those beyond studies, require joint agreement on harmonized defence capability requirements and common technical specifications, ensuring coordinated procurement or use of resulting technologies.

The application process involves preparing proposals according to detailed guidelines in the call document and application form, followed by a single-stage submission and evaluation. Applications are assessed against specific award criteria, and the European Commission is actively seeking independent experts to evaluate proposals.

The funding program is fundamentally authorized by the EDF Regulation 2021/697 and operates within the framework of the European Defence Fund. Its implementation is further shaped by specific legal instruments and guidelines, including the EU Financial Regulation and general model grant agreements, with official texts accessible through European Commission publications.