Open Call 1 under the MaJoR project

Official call identifier: EDF-2023-DA-MATCOMP-MJR-CBDIN MaJoR Grant Agreement 101167891 - CASCADE FUNDING OPEN CALL 1

Objective of the call

The objective of this call is to identify and support promising SMEs and startups developing innovative maintenance, joining and repair technologies for defence platforms across air, sea and land domains.

The call contributes to the MaJoR project goals of maturing enabling technologies from TRL 3 to TRL 6 and integrating them into demonstrators representing relevant operational environments. It supports the reduction of cost, weight and lead time of defence systems, while increasing durability, maintainability and sustainability across domains.

Scope of activities 

Projects must address one of the five technical topics defined for Open Call #1 and align strictly with MaJoR’s focus on structural joining, maintenance, monitoring, repair and digital support technologies for defence platforms. Proposals must demonstrate clear relevance to at least one of the MaJoR demonstrators (air, sea or land domain).

The five technical topics are:

1. Hybrid Structures for Defence Platforms – Multi-Material Design, Joining & Reversible Interfaces

This topic focuses on hybrid metal–composite–thermoplastic structures for air, naval and land platforms. Activities may include development of novel multi-material combinations, advanced surface preparation methods, corrosion mitigation strategies, reversible bonding concepts, and AI-assisted design and optimisation tools.

Proposals should address operational constraints such as low temperatures (down to −55°C), humidity and salt exposure, electromagnetic compatibility, shock, blast and ballistic loads. Expected results include validated hybrid interface concepts and prototype components suitable for integration in UAV fuselage structures, naval masts or hybrid vehicle cabins.

2. Innovative Joining Technologies & Automated Processes

This topic supports development of automated, contamination-tolerant and ruggedised joining processes for multi-material defence assemblies. Activities may include robotic adhesive application, dust-free and accelerated curing technologies (UV, electrical or fast-curing systems), digital twin-based process optimisation, real-time quality assurance systems, and high-fatigue/high-load joint solutions.

Solutions must be compatible with harsh operational conditions such as fatigue loading in aerospace, thick bondlines and low curing temperatures in naval applications, and vibration, contamination and field-repair constraints in land systems.

Expected outcomes include validated joining demonstrators or automated process modules ready for integration into MaJoR manufacturing demonstrators.

3. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) & Embedded Sensor Architectures

This topic addresses continuous or event-based monitoring of composite and hybrid structures. Activities may include development of embedded or surface-mounted sensor networks (strain, acoustic, fibre-optic, piezoelectric), corrosion and moisture sensing layers, impact and blast detection systems, and edge analytics for low-power environments.

Solutions must operate under electromagnetic interference, humidity, vibration and bandwidth constraints. Integration with non-destructive testing data and maintenance systems is encouraged.

Expected results include validated SHM/HUMS architectures enabling earlier damage detection and reduced inspection burden.

4. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Maintenance, Repair & Diagnostics

This topic supports portable and field-compatible diagnostic, inspection and repair solutions for hybrid and composite defence structures. Activities may include development of portable NDT tools, contamination detection methods, local and portable curing systems, fast repair patches, modular tooling, 3D-printed repair inserts, and digital re-qualification procedures.

Projects should address operational constraints such as limited onboard space, shock and vibration, humidity and saline environments, and field repair conditions.

Expected outcomes include validated repair kits, diagnostic tools or procedures that reduce repair time and increase confidence in post-repair structural performance.

5. Digitalisation, AI & Decision Support Tools

This topic focuses on AI-enabled digital twins and predictive maintenance tools for structural assessment. Activities may include multi-physics simulations (fatigue, corrosion, thermal behaviour, impact), defect propagation modelling, damage severity assessment tools, secure data exchange solutions, and AI-based decision support systems for repair-versus-replace strategies.

Solutions must demonstrate applicability to air, naval or land platforms and support improved lifecycle management, reduced maintenance time and lower operational costs.

Across all topics, proposals must:

• Demonstrate technological advancement and measurable innovation potential.
• Contribute to EU non-dependency and strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB).
• Respect EDF eligibility, ethics and security requirements, including ownership control restrictions.
• Avoid duplication of EU funding and exclude prohibited technologies.

Eligible applicants 

The call is strictly targeted at single SMEs, including startups, established in EU Member States, Norway or Ukraine.

Applicants must comply with EU SME criteria and EDF ownership control restrictions. Each applicant may submit one proposal per topic.

 

Eligible costs 

The lump sum may cover, where relevant to the approved proposal:

• Personnel costs related to research, engineering, development, testing and project management activities
• Prototype development and validation activities
• Equipment use and technical resources required for implementation
• Consumables and materials directly linked to the project
• Subcontracting or specialised external services necessary for implementation
• Travel and participation in mandatory onsite bootcamps and demonstration events
• Costs related to ethics and security compliance activities required under the call

Funding conditions 

Type of action: 
Cascade funding

Funding rate: 
100% lump sum

EU contribution per project: 
Up to €60,000  

Number of funded projects: 
30 (4-8 per topic) 

Project duration: 
6 months execution

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 
Projects must start at minimum TRL 3 and reach TRL 6 by completion

*Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) describe the maturity of a technology, from basic research (TRL 1) to fully deployed, market-ready solutions (TRL 9).

Deadline for submission

25 March 2026