🏛 EU_PORTAL · 📍 EU
500 000 €
11/2/2026
29/9/2026
European Defence Fund
New turbofan engine
Scope:
An unmanned aerial vehicle used as unmanned loyal wingman/unmanned combat aerial vehicle requires specific performance for a variety of mission profiles to meet storage, deployment and operational requirements. In particular, an engine that provides optimum thrust and electrical power capabilities is required to meet these performance requirements.
Against this background, the aim of this topic is to investigate a new turbofan engine in the range of approximately 25-35 kN that meets all feasible military requirements and is capable of operating on kerosene, hydrogen (H2) and sustainable aviation fuel.
This topic contributes to the STEP objectives as defined in the STEP Regulation in the target investment area of defence technologies.
Targeted types of activities: Generating knowledge, integrating knowledge, studies and design.
Indicative budget: EUR 20 000 000 for this topic under the EDF-2026-RA-SI call.
The proposals need to build upon or integrate results that have been achieved within one or several projects funded following an EU programme call with a focus on civil applications and for which applicants will have the necessary rights to use and commercialise the results.
Indicative number of proposals to be funded: Several proposals may be funded for this topic.
described in section 5 of the call document.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
described in section 6 of the call document.
described in section 6 of the call document.
described in section 7 of the call document.
described section 8 of the call document and the Online Manual.
described in section 9 of the call document.
described in section 4 of the call document.
described in section 10 of the call document.
Application form templates
Standard application form (EDF) — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Detailed budget table (EDF LS RA)
List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources (EDF)
Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (EDF)
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
EDF Programme Security Instruction (PSI)
Guidelines on FSTP implementation - WP2026
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
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Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – Submission of proposals.
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Online Manual – Step-by-step online guide through the Portal processes from proposal preparation and evaluation to reporting on your ongoing project. Valid for all 2021-2027 programmes.