The first EDF MaJoR cascade funding call opens today, 28 January 2026, and will remain so until 25 March 2026, 17:00 CET.

The MaJoR project focuses on modernising defence systems and improving the durability of future platforms through innovative technologies for maintenance, joining and repair of multi-material structures across air, sea, and land domains.

Underthe European Defence Fund (EDF), projects can provideFinancial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), also known as cascade funding. This mechanism aims to support smaller players, including newcomers to the defence sector, in contributing to their innovative technologies and specialised expertise. It provides them with opportunities to explore and expand their business in defence.

This first FSTP sub-call is looking for up to 30 innovators to act as technological solution providers and address specific innovation challenges across the three domains.

Eligible participants include small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups established in EU Member States, Norway or Ukraine. Ukrainian entities are particularly encouraged to apply.

The areas of interest for this sub-call include:

• Hybrid structures for defence platforms: multi-material design, joining and reversible interfaces
• Innovative joining technologies and processes for multi-material defence structures
• Structural health monitoring, health and usage monitoring systems and embedded sensor architectures for next-generation defence platform
• Non-destructive testing for bonded joints: maintenance, repair, bonding initial design and diagnostics for hybrid and composite structures
• Digitalisation, AI and decision support tools for structural assessment and defence maintenance

Successful applicants will receive up to €60,000 in funding and participate in a 6-month business development support programme.

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