EDF-2026-RA-MCBRN-DST: CBRN decontamination systems and technologies

Scope:
Current military decontamination processes are manual and time-consuming, while automation could improve efficiency, safety and control. Clearance decontamination, which ensures that equipment is safe for transport and disposal, is a challenging process that may require advanced technologies. A new approach to CBRN decontamination is needed that is simple, safe, reliable and uses minimal water. New technologies such as catalysts and UV radiation are being considered to neutralise agents without damaging equipment. Decontamination is also critical in the management of biological emergencies, including epidemics and pandemics, and is not limited to military scenarios. Solid sorbents, including nanosorbents, are promising, with advantages such as low toxicity and non-corrosiveness. Clearance decontamination should conform to nationally established standards and guidelines so that the equipment can be transported through non-EU countries and/or returned to its country of origin or final destination.
This topic aims to explore solutions for the thorough decontamination of large military equipment, in particular for post-mission decontamination. It focuses on the development of nanosorbents capable of effectively absorbing CBRN agents even in the presence of water. These sorbents can be applied using portable backpack devices and larger mobile devices, enabling efficient decontamination on both a small and large scale.
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, studies and design, not excluding upstream activities eligible for research actions.
Indicative budget:
EUR 15 000 000 for this topic under the EDF-2026-RA call.
Indicative number of proposals to be funded:
Several proposals may be funded for this topic.

Conditions:
Conditions
1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
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.
2. Eligible Countries
described in section 6 of the
call document
.
3. Other Eligible Conditions
described in section 6 of the
call document
.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
described in section 7 of the
call document
.
5a. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
described section 8 of the
call document
and the
Online Manual
.
5b. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
described in section 9 of the
call document
.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
described in section 4 of the
call document
.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
described in section 10 of the
call document
.
Call document and annexes:
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 RA)
Participant information (EDF)
List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources (EDF)
Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (EDF)
Ownership control declaration
Ownership control guarantee
PRS declaration (EDF)
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
EDF, ASAP and EDIRPA MGA
Additional documents:
EDF Annual Work Programme
EDF Regulation 2021/697
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
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement