Fifth DEFRA Call

Documents

• Information document, including submission and evaluation guidelines and budget rules: general information on the programme and the call, overview proposal content and corresponding evaluation criteria for the applicants and the evaluators
• Evaluators eligibility: eligibility criteria for potential remote evaluators
• Evaluation matrix for pre-proposals: overview of the evaluation ratings for the pre-proposals
• Platform Submission guidelines: information for the applicants on the use of the submission platform
• Pre-proposal template
• Annexe II – general conditions applicable to the 2025 contracts
  

Submission

The pre-proposals as well as the full proposals must be electronically created, elaborated and submitted via the online submission platform.

The template for the full proposals is made available on the website. However, after the evaluation of the pre-proposals, for each pre-defined theme (themes 1 to 8) a maximum of five pre-proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal. For theme 9 “Open call: Defence relevant research” maximum ten pre-proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Deadlines

• Deadline Pre-proposals: 20 February 2025 (14h00)
• Deadline Full proposals: 2 May 2025 (14h00)

Description:

Context
In today's complex military environment, Artificial Intelligence (Al) systems will become crucial for enhancing effectiveness and decision-making. In this light, multi-agent Al systems, composed of autonomous agents that decompose complex problems, collaborate, and adapt in real-time, have the potential to excel in managing the complexity and unpredictability of military environments. Whether coordinating logistics or optimizing battlefield strategies, multi-agent Al systems enable military forces to decompose complex problems, process vast amounts of data, explore alternatives, simulate outcomes, and generate informed proposals for decision-making.

Research scope
A multi-agent AI system framework allows for thorough research into the value of this approach, enabling the exploration, development, and testing of diverse use cases in controlled and realistic environments. This framework provides not only a flexible reference architecture where a particular configuration of AI agents (including agentic AI) can be deployed to assess their effectiveness in a targeted scenario, but also the necessary processes to implement such a system within Belgian Defence. The inclusion of agentic AI enhances the framework's ability to adapt, learn, and optimize autonomously, further improving the precision and effectiveness of defence operations.

This approach is expected to facilitate innovation and the discovery of new applications while ensuring rigorous testing under specific conditions, enhancing robustness and reliability. The state-of-the-art multi-agent AI system framework should be designed to enable users to tailor it for specific use cases, ensuring maximum flexibility while adhering to industry standards (including NATO and EU standards). It will serve as a foundation for proof of concepts and scalable implementations, providing a robust platform for exploring innovative applications and rapidly deploying them in real-world scenarios.

Research proposals should include both the development of a multi-agent AI system framework and its application with at least one use case. Possible use cases include but are not limited to:

• (Operational) logistics and supply chain management
• Doctrine for the planning of operations (per the AJP-5)
• Battlefield simulations and wargaming
• Cybersecurity
• Swarming of autonomous systems
• Adaptive user interface design for intelligence analysis

 Research proposals should anticipate any security, ethical and legal data collection, processing and sharing requirements in their planning (e.g., by generating synthetic data).

Impact for Defence
Due to the broad range of applications and versatility of multi-agent/agentic AI, it can revolutionise the way defence operations take place: it can enhance operational efficiency and coordination and improve decision making.
The research projects are expected to:

• reach technology readiness level 6, with an emphasis on demonstrating a proof-of-concept in simulated or real-world scenarios (such as air gapped environments);
• increase the knowledge of state-of-the-art methods and tools for multi-agent/agentic AI within Belgian Defence. This includes documenting the resulting multi-agent/agentic AI framework, its reference architecture and the involved processes to configure and implement the framework.

Description:

Context
Cryptographic mechanisms are increasingly used for the protection of critical information, and it is of paramount importance to achieve the highest security in their implementation. The security of cryptographic protocols and algorithms can be compromised due to flaws introduced in their implementation or naïve/optimistic assumptions made about their execution environment. The production of high security devices and the assessment of their resistance against attacks by well-funded adversaries, such as state-sponsored actors, is a notoriously difficult task.

Research scope
This theme seeks project proposals on any topic that facilitates the production or the evaluation of cryptographic modules, with an emphasis on feasibility and cost-effectiveness, including, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Cryptographic designs and security architectures that mitigate risks linked to implementation vulnerabilities. For example, the use of threshold mechanisms to avoid single points of failure or threshold implementations to mitigate side-channel vulnerabilities.
• Methods and tools for the production of high-assurance cryptographic implementations. For example, cryptographic coding rules and best practices, certified compilation, formal methods to verify security properties of implementations (e.g. zeroization, information flow), hardware trojan prevention and detection.
• Attacks on cryptographic implementations and their countermeasures, for example micro-architectural side-channel attacks, physical side-channel attacks, fault attacks, hardware tampering and reverse engineering.
• Methodologies to assess cryptographic implementation vulnerabilities and attack potential. For example, side-channel leakage assessments, feasibility of remote timing attacks, threat assessment.

Impact for Defence
Projects are expected to increase one or both of the following:
1. The capacity of Belgian Defence with respect to the evaluation/certification of cryptographic products and their implementation:

• knowledge of state-of-the-art attacks and countermeasures,
• know-how in performing state-of-the-art attacks on cryptographic devices.

2. The capacity of Belgian Defence with respect to the production of cryptographic products:

• knowledge of state-of-the-art methods and tools,
• know-how in performing sound risk analyses and vulnerability assessments.

Description:

Context
In recent years, global conflicts, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises have underscored the urgent need for scalable, efficient, and resilient solutions for the rapid evacuation of large numbers of casualties. Bulk, long-range evacuation capability is critical to saving lives and ensuring optimal medical care, yet current options remain limited, especially for mobilizing resources at a moment’s notice. We invite proposals for research projects aimed at developing adaptable, rapid-response solutions in the following domains (not limitative):

• Adaptation and integration of medical equipment on civil/military multi-use platforms,
• Development of real-time, rugged, patient physiological monitoring systems that can function in different transport environments,
• Innovative patient care support systems during transport,
• Medical sustainable logistics and documentation systems.

Further research is needed to validate solutions and new capabilities.

Research scope
The research project(s) should focus on developing long-range evacuation options that can be mobilized quickly, using existing civilian means such as trains, busses, and/or civilian ships, transformed into evacuation options. The projects should aim to provide solutions that are innovative in their approach, and that can effectively respond to the needs of different types of casualties in different circumstances. Within the projects special attention is needed in patient care support during transportation, logistics, patient tracking, documentation, communication means but also safety and regulatory standards outlined by national and international bodies.
The proposed research should focus on solutions that are scalable and adaptable, up to TRLs 5-6.
We are seeking projects that focus on key areas essential for effective bulk casualty evacuation and patient care. The proposed solutions could aim to address the following challenges:

• Adaptation and Integration of Medical Equipment on civil/military multi-use platforms
  Research should explore methods for adapting civil/military multi-use platforms to accommodate medical equipment effectively. This includes developing frameworks for installing life-support systems, medical beds, and monitoring devices on trains, busses, and ships while maintaining interoperability and operational efficiency.

• Innovative patient care support systems during transport
  Innovative approaches are needed to enhance patient care & physiological monitoring during transport. Research should focus on support systems that facilitate safe handling, stabilization, and continuous care for various types of casualties, from minor injuries to critical care patients.

• Medical logistics and documentation systems
  Develop robust logistics systems for efficient and coordinated evacuation operations. This includes designing interoperable medical documentation systems that can provide real-time data to multiple stakeholders and ensure continuity of care across borders and agencies.

• Development of real-time patient physiological monitoring systems that can function in different transport environments
  Secure data exchange systems are essential for tracking and coordinating patient care across national and international jurisdictions. These systems should enable the secure transfer of medical records and facilitate real-time communication among medical, logistics, and coordination teams.

Impact for Defence
The primary objective is to design a scalable, rapidly mobilizable bulk evacuation solution that can be implemented across national and international boundaries using adaptable civilian resources. Proposed solutions should address finalities such as:

• Rapid Mobilization and Deployment: Utilize existing civilian transport systems with minimal modification and rapid deployment capability,
• Adaptability and Scalability: Ensure that solutions are flexible enough to handle different casualty types and scalable to meet varying demands,
• Regulatory and Safety Compliance: Adhere to national and international safety and regulatory standards for medical transportation to ensure legal compliance, medical ethics and operational safety.

Proposals should aim to achieve a technology readiness level (TRL) of 5-6, demonstrating robust proof-of-concept and initial deployment capabilities. Emphasis on validation and real-world application is highly encouraged.

Description:

Context
The "Demining Technologies" theme seeks to advance innovative solutions to address the critical challenges of mine-breaching and mine-clearing in post-conflict environments.
In modern warfare, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) remain pervasive threats, responsible for a substantial portion of casualties and infrastructural damage. The development of efficient, reliable, and cost-effective demining technologies is therefore of paramount importance, not only for military, but also for humanitarian and economic purposes. These challenges necessitate cutting-edge research to ensure safer environments and sustainable recovery in conflict-affected regions.

Research scope
This theme promotes research efforts in a range of critical technological areas, including but not limited to:

• Unmanned Platforms: The development of autonomous systems for the detection, identification, neutralization, and disposal of explosive threats in diverse environments,
• Advanced Detection Systems: Investigation of novel sensing modalities (e.g., hyperspectral imaging, acoustic sensors, and ground-penetrating radar) and multi-sensor data fusion techniques integrated with Artificial Intelligence to significantly enhance the detection and classification of explosive devices,
• Nanotechnology: Exploration of nanomaterials and nanodevices for precise detection, neutralization, or even self-healing capabilities in minefields,
• Drone Swarms: Utilization of coordinated drone swarms for efficient area coverage, mapping, and collaborative threat neutralization,
• Electromagnetic Countermeasures: Development of advanced tools capable of safely disabling IEDs and UXOs without triggering their explosive components.

Proposals should address one or more of these areas, demonstrating how the research contributes to the overall safety, efficiency, and scalability of demining operations. Technologies should aim to provide innovative solutions that are deployable in real-world scenarios, including:

• Removal or neutralization of UXOs in populated areas,
• Safe neutralization of IEDs in rural and urban settings,
• (optionally) Indoor and subterranean settings.

Impact for Defence
These efforts should be directed towards:

• Improving the speed, accuracy, efficiency, and safety of demining/EOD operations,
• Ensuring scalability, enabling technologies to adapt to different operational environments,
• Achieving Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 5 to 6 within a project duration of 2 to 4 years, ensuring a clear pathway towards practical deployment,
• Minimize collateral damage, including ecological, economic, and social impacts.

Description:

Context
Biotechnologies and Human Enhancement/Augmentation (BHEA) are recognized as a core component of NATO’s Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) portfolio, offering transformative potential across a wide array of Defence and security domains. Recent advances in synthetic biology—the integration of microbiology, genetic engineering, and systems engineering principles—have unlocked new possibilities to enhance military capabilities, improve resilience, and safeguard personnel.
The NATO EDT focus on BHEA aims to harness these breakthroughs to create advanced tools and applications in medicine, human performance, and Chemical and Biological (CB) defence, thus enhancing preparedness and response capabilities.

Research scope
Synthetic biology enables the modification or creation of biological systems by combining microbiology and genetic engineering techniques with the principles of systems engineering and its exploitation will advance defence capabilities through applications in medicine (e.g., development and application of vaccines and therapeutics), human performance enhancement (e.g., development of wearable/body-worn biosensors designed for pathogens and chemical threats), and Chemical and Biological (CB) defence (e.g., development of threat agnostic detection and identification systems).
We are seeking innovative proposals that will drive the development of BHEA technologies and contribute to Belgian Defence and security objectives. Key areas of focus include:

1. Medical Advancements and Human Performance Enhancement

• Vaccine and Therapeutic Development and Applications: Explore (synthetic) biology approaches to accelerate the design and production of vaccines and (personalised) therapeutics, especially those capable of responding to emerging (multiresistant) pathogens and rapidly evolving biological threats that have the potential to pose a public health problem,
• Precision Medicine in Battlefield Conditions: Develop tools for rapid diagnosis and treatment customization in challenging environments, focusing on point-of-care (clinical samples) and point-of-need (environmental samples) solutions that improve survival and recovery rates for injured or infected personnel,
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: Research in tissue repair, cellular regeneration, and wound healing, with the aim of significantly reducing recovery time and enhancing resilience for personnel, particularly in austere or high-risk settings,
• Design of next-generation biosensors that can be worn or integrated with equipment to detect biological pathogens and/or chemical agents in real-time. Emphasis should be on developing sensors that are accurate (highly specific and sensitive), robust and adaptable across a range of sample matrices (biomedical/clinical and environmental) and operational conditions.

2. Chemical and Biological (CB) Defence and Detection

• Threat-Agnostic Detection and Identification Systems: Create versatile detection systems that can identify a range of chemical and biological agents without requiring pre-existing knowledge of specific threats. These should provide rapid, reliable detection in field environments, supporting personnel and public safety in the event of CB incidents. Demonstrating the remote usability (e.g. mounted on a drone, UAV, etc.) of the system to be developed could be an added value,
• Bioengineered Defence Solutions: Research novel countermeasures, such as biologically-derived neutralizing agents, that can degrade or deactivate chemical and biological threats. Projects might explore applications in decontamination, containment, and individual protection,
• Resilience and Response Tools for CB Scenarios: Design biosynthetic platforms that can detect and neutralize threats in complex or contaminated environments and explore genetically engineered organisms capable of serving as “biosentinels” or environmental indicators for threat detection.

We encourage proposals that incorporate a multi-modal approach, leveraging advances in genetic engineering, data science, sensor technology, and systems integration. Projects should consider:

• Ethics and Compliance: Consider the ethical, legal, and societal implications of BHEA applications, ensuring alignment with NATO standards and (inter)national laws,
• Scalability and Adaptability: Design solutions that are modular and can be scaled up or adapted to different missions and environments,
• Security and Reliability: Emphasize data security, especially in systems involving health monitoring and sensitive information sharing in operational environment, to protect personnel privacy and operational integrity.

Impact for Defence
The primary goal is to advance BHEA technologies that can support and protect personnel, enhance military readiness, and increase the operational effectiveness of Belgian Defence forces. Proposals should aim to achieve outcomes that:

• Enhance Operational Efficiency and Resilience: The solutions and systems to be developed are expected to enable military personnel and civilian stakeholders to maintain peak performance in challenging environments,
• Advance Threat Detection and Response: Provide tools and techniques for rapid and accurate threat detection, identification, and neutralization across chemical and biological domains in order to prevent, protect, and recover people from exposure to naturally occurring or laboratory- derived threats that are released accidentally or deliberately, especially in the context of a Chemical and/or Biological (CB) hazard,
• Promote Adaptability and Interoperability: Ensure that solutions are adaptable across Belgian Defence and civilian stakeholders, interoperable with existing systems, and compliant with (inter)national standards and ethical guidelines.

Projects are expected to reach technology readiness levels (TRL) 4-6, with an emphasis on demonstrating proof-of-concept solutions in simulated or real-world scenarios.

Description:

Context
Limited situational awareness in armoured vehicles is a tactical handicap endangering crew and mission, especially in urban conditions. Lately, this situation is further exacerbated by hard-to-detect threats from above such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Electro-optical sensors allow to enhance the field of view and the range of detectable wavelengths. However, a real continuous omnidirectional surveillance, including the sky, is lacking. Furthermore, even if this was not the case, it is not possible to continuously display a fully omnidirectional view inside the vehicle, nor can the human operator continuously monitor all the output of these sensors to extract important information. In addition, many existing surveillance systems are not able to extract information regarding the distance from the system to the potential threat.

Research scope
Solution oriented efforts could include electro-optical based omnidirectional low Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C) surveillance which automatically presents important information in a condense and intuitive manner to the crew. In addition to the detection, solutions able to acquire information on the distance between threat and observer are also highly interesting.
Proposals should encompass all the following topics:

• Use of passive electro-optical sensors; passive infrared (IR) sensors and active Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) sensors can be included,
• Data processing of the sensor data to produce recognized land picture,
• Collaboration between multiple vehicles,
• Edge computing.

The analysis of the cognitive load reduction is an added value as well as applicability in an urban environment.

Impact for Defence
Added value:

• Better situational awareness on the battlefield despite the limited display area,
• Threat evaluation and classification to facilitate decision making by vehicle commander,
• Added resilience (thanks to the edge computing) against jamming and decreased need for long       distance data link (link to Command & Control Center),
• Estimation of the distance to the threats or to other vehicles.

Description:

Context
The critical infrastructure, such as cables, pipelines, windmills, and artificial islands in Belgian North Sea (TTW-EEZ) and beyond, requires robust protection measures. This becomes even more crucial in view of projects such as the energy island, which will hold strategic importance for Belgium's energy infrastructure. It is essential for Belgian Defence to be prepared to contribute to the safeguarding of the maritime infrastructure against non-malicious and malicious threats when, not if, called upon.
Last year’s DEFRA call in this domain slightly focused on underwater challenges, although multi-domain aspects were to be considered. This year’s call shifts the focus to the aerial domain, aiming to prepare for the safeguarding of maritime infrastructure, especially in the face of evolving aerial threats. However, it is still important to recognize that threats in all relevant domains (underwater, surface, air and cyber) are to be considered.

Researchscope
The growing threat from the air, including potential attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other airborne systems, demands increased vigilance and (very) short reaction times. To further enhance defenses against unauthorized access by these threats and to mitigate their potential impact, proposed systems could implement:

1. Robust aerial surveillance systems of any nature,
2. Autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs) to ensure regular monitoring,
3. Access control mechanisms (e.g. quick access to traffic control systems, or other ways to ensure smooth threat identification),
4. Means to provide real-time situational awareness to authorities such as the Maritiem Informatiekruispunt (MIK),
5. Physical barriers (e.g. nets, shields, cables, …),
6. Air defense systems (e.g. counter-UAVs, …).

Note that it is not the intent to protect against ballistic or hypersonic missiles.
The research should have specific attention on the challenges:

1. Balance between delayed versus real-time data dissemination,
2. Maximum effectiveness with minimal collateral damage (in the largest sense: ecological, economic, military, …),
3. Trade-off ranging from single use sensor/effector to permanent observation/neutralization,
4. Maximum probability of detection with minimum probability of false alerts,
5. Cyber resilience.

Impact for Defence
This call aims to facilitate the research of a credible and realistic architecture for the protection of Belgium's maritime critical infrastructure, taking into account the existing legal framework and all other competent parties involved.
The architecture should fit in a comprehensive framework that integrates physical and cyber related (counter)measures, considering the unique circumstances in the maritime environment and the cross-domain nature of the protection requirements.
Ideally, the offered solution should be compatible with the existing and future systems in the “Maritiem Informatiekruispunt” (MIK) and the Maritime Operations Centre (MOC).

Description:

Context
The Ukraine war underlined the breakthrough of a new era of aerial warfare: the extensive use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Today, UAS are an indispensable part of any military operation, with tasks including, but not limited to, reconnaissance and surveillance.
Due to the small, inexpensive, and readily available character of drones, they are also used by maleficent actors, in different environments and contexts, such as terrorism or drug smuggling. There is therefore an increasing need for the development of effective counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). By effectively countering UAS threats, Belgian forces can better protect personnel, assets, and critical infrastructure both domestically and in international contexts.

Research scope
This call invites proposals from multidisciplinary teams that aim to address the critical challenges in C-UAS technology development along the whole kill-chain (Detect, Track, Identify, Neutralize). The project will focus on small UAS (sUAS), specifically targeting NATO Class 1 up to mini (<15kg) drones flying alone or together in remote-controlled or (semi)-autonomous modes.
The goal is to improve the following (non-limitative) list:

• Detection and classification:
  • Enhance the probability of detection and classification in a realistic outdoor environment in presence of surrounding RF communications, clutter and changing (poor) visibility at long range > 1 km,
  • Improve Sensor fusion (different sensors from the same system and/or different systems).
• Identify/Track
  • Payload identification,
  • Trajectory prediction, intent (threat) determination,
  • Target prioritization.
• Neutralize
  • Enhance the probability of neutralization for kinetic and non-kinetic means (soft/hard kills),
  • Enhance the probability of neutralization of multiple targets,
  • Enhance the probability of neutralization at longer (>1 km) range,
  • Improve the collateral damage limitation during/after neutralization,
  • Allow scalability of effectors (creation of a possible escalation of force).

The goal is also to improve potential integration of individual sensors and/or effectors in an existing Systems of Systems (SoS).
Proposals should focus on innovative solutions that will contribute to the deployment of effective C-UAS systems. The research should not only focus on technological advancement but also consider the broader implications of C-UAS deployment and use, including legal, ethical, and environmental factors.

Impact for Defence
The research should further pave the way towards Counter-UAS systems with following characteristics:

• Improved detection, classification, identification, tracking and neutralization compared to existing State of the Art (SoA ) Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)/Military-off-the-shelf (MOTS) solutions,
• Modularity,
• Scalability,
• Integration into existing/future systems.

The project should provide concrete, evidence-based validation of the solution’s performance and effectiveness under relevant conditions and this compared to SoA products.
Every project should be compatible with the current interoperability standards (draft version of STANREC 4869 ‘Countering Class I UAS Data Exchange Format’ – use of the SAPIENT standard) and integration in civilian security environment should be envisaged.

Description:

Context
Proposals are welcome to address new, upcoming, or unforeseen challenges and/or creative or disruptive solutions. Proposals can only be introduced in the “open theme” if the subject of the proposal does not correspond with one of the other eight themes.
This call is “open” to any research relevant for defence across a broad spectrum, focusing on two domains: Technology domain and Human Factors domain.

Research scope
This call is open to any research for defence across a broad spectrum within the following defence research areas:

• Space technologies
• Communication Technologies
• Sensor Technologies
• Autonomous Systems and Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Smart and Advanced Materials
• Advanced Weapon Systems and Platforms
• Protection of Personnel, Systems, and Infrastructure
• Sustainable Energy and Environment
• Advanced Military Health
• Human Systems and Behaviour
• Security and Defence Policy

Specific for the Human Factors domain, it has to be mentioned that Belgian Defence is confronted with a wide array of specific challenges in the omnipresent uncertainty and complexity of the operational context (i.e. sociocultural context, information overload, optimised organisational and decisional processes, resilience, highly developed operational and training means…).
The Human Factors domain targets studies on both the development of defence and security policy as on the optimisation and integration of human beings in a complex organisation such as defence. The latter can be approached from an economical, legal, psychological, sociological, historical, or ethical point of view.

Impact for Defence
Technology Domain:
The proposals must address innovative defence technologies and solutions, including those that can improve readiness, deployability and sustainability in all spectra of tasks and missions, for example in terms of operations, equipment, basing, energy solutions, … The goal of this open call is to achieve innovative and cost-effective solutions for defence applications, ground-breaking or novel concepts and approaches, new promising future improvements or the application of technologies or concepts previously not applied in the defence sector.

Human Factors Domain:
The goal of this open call is to explore new solutions towards the development of defence and security policy and optimised functioning and integration of human beings in complex organisations such as defence, from an economical, legal, psychological, sociological, historical, or ethical point of view.