Call for proposals to support the development of an AI framework for military decision-making and training is sponsored by European Defence Fund. Call for proposals to support the development of an AI framework for military decision-making and training is a grant from the European Defence Fund aimed at creating an AI-system framework that enables EU countries to develop and accelerate innovation in military modelling and …

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# Call for proposals to support the development of an AI framework for military decision-making and training Category: European Defence Fund Grants Call for proposals by the European Commission to create an AI-system framework that enables EU countries to develop and accelerate the innovation of military M&S systems.

Call ID: EDF-2026-RA-SIMTRAIN-MSAI In order to be eligible, all applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must cumulatively: be legal entities (public or private bodies) be established in one of the eligible countries have their executive management structure established in eligible countries not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or non-associated third-country entity (unless they can provide guarantees – see Annex 2 – approved by the Member State or EDF associated country where they are established) Proposals must be submitted by: minimum 3 independent applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) from 3 different eligible countries Total funding available: EUR 16 000 000 Award range: up to EUR 8 000 000 In a defence modelling and simulation (M&S) context, artificial intelligence (AI) can provide tactical intelligence in (near) real time through enhanced situational awareness and planning and decision-making support.

An AI framework for defence is a robust and adaptive system designed to facilitate the creation of artificial intelligence concepts in military operations. It enhances decision-making, situational awareness, and operational efficiency while ensuring security, interoperability, and real-time responsiveness.

The objective of this call topic is to assess the feasibility of creating an AI framework for defence applications, to serve as a springboard for the development of future tactical intelligence concepts by providing military simulation capabilities, historical data sets, a rich scenario and benchmark database, access to doctrinal models and output from previously developed AI services.

It would also enable a common simulation framework for wargames and combat simulations with the potential to similarly facilitate improved learning support in mission planning and execution, including through AI-enabled battlespace simulation. The goal of this call topic is to create an AI-system framework that enables EU countries to develop and accelerate the innovation of military M&S systems.

This call topic concerns a unified framework for tactical intelligence and decisionmaking. It includes VIEW IN BROWSER - FORWARD BY EMAIL - MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION The above text is a summary of original content published on the website of the European Commission (or related institutions). Licensed under CC BY 4.

0. connecting the framework to C2 systems and synthetic training environments, managing historical data sets, and utilising doctrine. All such data are collected, combined, cleaned, and contextualised for AI solutions to learn from, gain insights into, and provide guidance on.

The models that can be developed using the framework are expected to be able to support the users of C2 applications and to provide instructor support of training systems. This can further include testing future human-machine interaction concepts for military users.

By closing the loop to the end user, the AI system framework enables new possibilities, for example, to easily test and validate novel tactical intelligence solutions in a concept, development and experimentation setting. This makes it possible to measure the effectiveness of future tactical intelligence solutions hands-on.

While there are many efforts in the development of AI technology in different areas, the maturity of standards varies across the different domains across EU Member States and EDF associated countries and industries.

There is a need to investigate how to develop a continuous, scalable, reusable and flexible AI development environment that integrates capabilities seamlessly for a persistent military environment (training, exercises, and rehearsal) in a cost-effective way.

Beyond defence technologies, this call topic also contributes to the STEP objectives, as defined in the STEP Regulation29, in the target investment area of deep and digital technologies. Proposals must investigate solutions in the simulation area, cover two or more use cases in forces readiness, support operations and capability development.

Proposals must identify current challenges regarding preconditions in AI use in a multi-national defence context, and more specifically identify state of the art technologies, research gaps, needs and requirements.

Proposals must further research a subset of challenges in at least two chosen specific use case(s)30 by achieving an increment in the maturity of applying AI in a defence context In addition, proposals must ensure compliance with NATO standards and other possible coalition situations to allow for extended interaction between a variety of collaborative assets used in different operational domains.

Finally, proposals should demonstrate capabilities in integrating AI for simulation purposes.

The outcome of the effort should contribute to: Significantly reducing the time and costs associated with the of COA development and leveraging adaptive AI models, reinforcement learning, AI-driven automation, optimisation algorithms and generative simulation techniques to automate scenario creation, optimise decision and accelerate operational readiness; improving resource allocation through data-informed decision-making processes powered by predictive modelling and machine learning.

Developing AI solutions tailored for military M&S systems, enhancing tactical intelligence, mission planning, and autonomous decision-making capabilities and increasing responsiveness in real-time operations.

These solutions are expected to incorporate state of the art methods in machine learning including reinforcement learning and graph neural networks, multi-agent VIEW IN BROWSER - FORWARD BY EMAIL - MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION The above text is a summary of original content published on the website of the European Commission (or related institutions). Licensed under CC BY 4. 0.

systems for dynamic and adaptive simulation models, and real-time data fusion to support commanders with actionable insights and scenario forecasting. Identifying and address specific interoperability challenges and gaps to establish a cost-efficient AI training capability in a multi-national context.

Promoting convergence on training standards across EU Member States and EDF associated countries to foster interoperability by promoting common AI ethics frameworks, testing methodologies, and validation protocols . Structuring and developing a European ecosystem to support simulation technology for military Ensuring the interoperability, security, and trustworthiness of AI components in joint training and operational environments.

Establishing a modular testbed of high-performance, domain-specific simulation environments (e.g., battlespace simulations) to serve as a proving ground for AI integration. Providing a library of general-purpose, pre-trained reinforcement learning agents to accelerate experimentation and benchmarking.

Developing a standardised interface between AI agents and simulation platforms to ensure interoperability, scalability, and reproducibility across systems and nations. Supporting the development of a resilient and scalable European simulation ecosystem dedicated to military applications.

This ecosystem is expected to integrate academia, industry, and defence stakeholders to promote innovation in AI-driven simulation tools, digital twins, and synthetic environments, in alignment with the EU’s digital and defence strategies. Encouraging public-private and civil-military synergies to accelerate the adoption and evolution of AI solutions across defence applications.

reducing or preventing the strategic dependencies of the Union. Excellence and potential of disruption Innovation and technological development Creation of new cross-border cooperation Disclaimer: The information shown here is a summary. In case of any discrepancy between a translation and the original English text, the English version shall prevail.

For complete application details, please view the full text on the issuing authority’s official website by clicking the link below. Method of submission of the application: Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System.

Deadline: 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time # Contact information VIEW IN BROWSER - FORWARD BY EMAIL - MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION The above text is a summary of original content published on the website of the European Commission (or related institutions). Licensed under CC BY 4. 0.

For individual questions on the Portal Submission System, please contact the IT Helpdesk. Non-IT related questions should be sent to the following email address: DEFIS-EDFPROPOSALS@ec. europa.

eu. # Visit the official webpage of the call for more details Call for proposals to support the development of an AI framework for military decision-making and training