Multifunctional Information Distribution System
European Defence Fund Research Actions
Funding Amount
Up to €39.0M
Deadline
16/10/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Call?
Grant Description
This call seeks to address the dependency of EU armed forces on non-EU multifunctional information distribution systems by funding the design, development and laboratory testing of a European Fighter Multifunctional Information Distribution System (F-EMIDS) demonstrator. It aims to enhance EU defence sovereignty, autonomy and interoperability, reduce reliance on non-EU suppliers, and strengthen Europe’s technological resilience in C4ISR.
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
Projects are expected to deliver:
• A functioning demonstrator of a European Fighter MIDS (F-EMIDS) terminal implementing an innovative SCA, validated up to laboratory functional testing.
• High-data-rate encrypted C4ISR communications resilient in Electromagnetic Countermeasure environments.
• Tactical Link 16 interoperability (data and voice) with existing platforms and future EU fighter systems.
• Crypto-secure navigation and identification capabilities for friendly and hostile force elements.
• Integrated TACAN Air/Air and Ground/Air navigation functions.
• Baseline for future stealth waveform growth and seamless host-system integration.
• Preliminary CONOPS validation and a complete life-cycle cost model.
• Strengthened EU technological sovereignty: reduced dependency on non-EU suppliers and enhanced interoperability across EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.
• Contribution to the EU Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) by fostering an EU-owned C4ISR solution aligned with STEP objectives.
• A functioning demonstrator of a European Fighter MIDS (F-EMIDS) terminal implementing an innovative SCA, validated up to laboratory functional testing.
• High-data-rate encrypted C4ISR communications resilient in Electromagnetic Countermeasure environments.
• Tactical Link 16 interoperability (data and voice) with existing platforms and future EU fighter systems.
• Crypto-secure navigation and identification capabilities for friendly and hostile force elements.
• Integrated TACAN Air/Air and Ground/Air navigation functions.
• Baseline for future stealth waveform growth and seamless host-system integration.
• Preliminary CONOPS validation and a complete life-cycle cost model.
• Strengthened EU technological sovereignty: reduced dependency on non-EU suppliers and enhanced interoperability across EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.
• Contribution to the EU Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) by fostering an EU-owned C4ISR solution aligned with STEP objectives.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Proposals must design, develop and test a demonstrator of a European Fighter Multifunctional Information Distribution System (F-EMIDS) terminal implementing an innovative Software Communications Architecture (SCA) that meets or exceeds state-of-the-art at the time of entry into service. Mandatory scope criteria include:
• Link 16 ATDLP-1.75 compliance: waveform generation/reception, host-system interfaces for configuration, message and voice exchange.
• Tactical data transmission per ATDLP-5.16 with host platform.
• TACAN Air/Air and Ground/Air modes (ping network function only).
• Growth potential for future airborne stealth waveforms: baseband signal processing, front-end antenna interfaces, Secure Data Unit (crypto component), host message interfaces.
• Additional airborne capabilities: cosite environment management, built-in test/monitoring/status reporting, navigation data exchange, message filtering, cryptographic elements management.
• Full compliance with Software Defined Radio SCA standards, covering hardware, software, waveform processing and operational environment.
• Support for waveform life-cycle management and standby data maintenance.
• Hardware constraints: mechanical, thermal, interference protection.
• Security constraints: global F-EMIDS radio, EL 16 waveform, stealth waveform, EMIDS-C security rules.
• Adherence to security, safety and airworthiness regulations and engineering rules.
• Contribution to STEP objectives under deep and digital technologies.
• Link 16 ATDLP-1.75 compliance: waveform generation/reception, host-system interfaces for configuration, message and voice exchange.
• Tactical data transmission per ATDLP-5.16 with host platform.
• TACAN Air/Air and Ground/Air modes (ping network function only).
• Growth potential for future airborne stealth waveforms: baseband signal processing, front-end antenna interfaces, Secure Data Unit (crypto component), host message interfaces.
• Additional airborne capabilities: cosite environment management, built-in test/monitoring/status reporting, navigation data exchange, message filtering, cryptographic elements management.
• Full compliance with Software Defined Radio SCA standards, covering hardware, software, waveform processing and operational environment.
• Support for waveform life-cycle management and standby data maintenance.
• Hardware constraints: mechanical, thermal, interference protection.
• Security constraints: global F-EMIDS radio, EL 16 waveform, stealth waveform, EMIDS-C security rules.
• Adherence to security, safety and airworthiness regulations and engineering rules.
• Contribution to STEP objectives under deep and digital technologies.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
Admissibility and eligibility:
• Proposal page limits and layout per Part B of the Application Form.
• Eligible countries and entities, financial and operational capacity, exclusion criteria per sections 6–7 of the call document.
Evaluation and award:
• Submission and evaluation processes per section 8, Online Manual.
• Award criteria, scoring, thresholds per section 9.
• Indicative evaluation timeline per section 4.
Legal and financial setup:
• Funding scheme: EDF Research Actions (single-stage), EDF Action Grant Budget-Based.
• Submission window: 18 Feb 2025 to 16 Oct 2025, 17:00 Brussels time.
• Maximum budget for this topic: EUR 39 000 000.
• Use of call-specific templates: Application Form, Detailed Budget Table, Participant Information, infrastructure list, cost methodology declaration, ownership control, PRS declaration.
• Model Grant Agreement: EDF-AG.
• Compliance with EDF Regulation 2021/697, EDF Programme Security Instruction, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, and relevant portal terms and conditions.
• Security handling: Programme Security Instruction applies.
• Proposal page limits and layout per Part B of the Application Form.
• Eligible countries and entities, financial and operational capacity, exclusion criteria per sections 6–7 of the call document.
Evaluation and award:
• Submission and evaluation processes per section 8, Online Manual.
• Award criteria, scoring, thresholds per section 9.
• Indicative evaluation timeline per section 4.
Legal and financial setup:
• Funding scheme: EDF Research Actions (single-stage), EDF Action Grant Budget-Based.
• Submission window: 18 Feb 2025 to 16 Oct 2025, 17:00 Brussels time.
• Maximum budget for this topic: EUR 39 000 000.
• Use of call-specific templates: Application Form, Detailed Budget Table, Participant Information, infrastructure list, cost methodology declaration, ownership control, PRS declaration.
• Model Grant Agreement: EDF-AG.
• Compliance with EDF Regulation 2021/697, EDF Programme Security Instruction, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, and relevant portal terms and conditions.
• Security handling: Programme Security Instruction applies.
Important dates
Open from: 18/02/2025
Deadline:16/10/2025
Win your grant with Cogrant
How cogrant works
Smart Funding Fit Check
Instantly know if your project fits call criteria. Our system highlights strengths, gaps, and risks, so you only apply when your chances are real.
Intelligent Research Engine
Our research engine digs deeper than any founder could alone. It pulls data about your company, your market, and even your competitors - giving your proposal an edge backed by facts, not fluff.
Full Proposal Development
Our system builds your entire proposal from start to finish, ensuring every section is complete, coherent, and crafted to the highest quality. You focus on your vision — we deliver the winning document.
Expert Review
Our experts run a complete review before delivery, ensuring your draft proposal is accurate, well-structured, and polished. You’ll receive a high-quality draft that’s ready for your final touches before submission.
Our Numbers
Results that speak for themselves
70+
proposals prepared
€36.7M
total funding secured for clients
65%
win rate in highly competitive calls