The KIC call “High performance materials for Defence and security” invites researchers, public and private organisations to submit research proposals on new materials for use by Defence. Reducing the ecological footprint of materials and production techniques plays an important role in this. The subsidy ceiling for this Call for proposals amounts to a total of € 7,000,000. The deadline for submitting initiatives is Thursday 19 June and the deadline for submitting applications is Thursday 16 October. The matchmaking meeting is on 22 May 2025.
Purpose
The aim of this programme is to build up knowledge about the development, applicability and optimisation of high-performance materials and advanced production technologies for Defence and safety-critical applications.
For materials, it must be clear how they can be integrated into a Defence or safety context. The focus is on new materials that can ultimately be integrated into civil and defence applications (dual use). Materials that are in a very early development phase and have not been explicitly developed in a Defence and safety context, but can be used in this context after further development, also fall within the focus of this Call. Material developments from the defence context for application in the civil context fall outside this Call for proposals.
For whom
Applications are submitted by a main applicant and one or more co-applicants. An application is drawn up by a consortium, in which, in addition to the applicants, other participants are also involved. Four categories of participants in a consortium are distinguished: 1. Main applicant, 2. Co-applicant(s), 3. Co-financier(s), 4. Collaboration partner(s). The co-financiers must jointly contribute at least 20% of the total budget for the application.
Important dates and budget
The subsidy ceiling for this Call for proposals is €7,000,000 in total. A minimum of €700,000 and a maximum of €2,000,000 in NWO funding can be requested per application. With this, NWO will finance a minimum of 50% and a maximum of 80% of the total project size. The remainder of the project budget must be contributed through co-financing. In order to submit an application, submitting an initiative is mandatory.
- The deadline for submitting initiatives is Thursday 19 June 2025, before 14:00.
- The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday 16 October 2025, before 14:00.
Matchmaking meeting | 22 May 2025
To support consortia formation, NWO is organising a public online matchmaking meeting for the KIC call ‘High performance materials for Defence and Security’. This will give interested parties the opportunity to obtain more information about the call and to exchange research proposals and ideas with potential partners. The meeting will take place on 22 May 2025 between 13:00 and 16:00.
