GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

This action aims at facilitating trans-national cooperation between EDF-NFPs with a view to identifying and sharing good practices and raising the general standard of support to (potential) programme applicants, taking into account the diversity of actors that could benefit from the programme and thus contribute to strengthening the European defence industry.

The action should cover:

• NFP-organised joint trainings to improve the services they provide, share experiences and best practices in relation to their support for the EDF;
• Twinning arrangements/facilities (in person visits or virtual), where NFPs can learn from their counterparts about the different approaches adopted in supporting national entities’ participation in the EDF;
• The development of information and promotional materials (both in digital and physical formats) that can be used by the whole NFP network, relating to the services the NFP network is providing and on practical aspects of participating in the EDF;
• The organisation of cross-border matchmaking events at selected international and European defence fairs or at national information activities such as national EDF infodays;
• The setting up of a website providing information about the services supported by the action, including, but not limited to listing relevant events, introducing the EDF with a special focus on entities that are new to defence research and development, and a facility to conduct partner search taking into account existing platforms and practices;
• The development of methodologies to help EDF-NFPs to interact with Enterprise Europe Network that has already well-established contacts with entities that are active in civilian R&D and can facilitate matchmaking;
• Interaction with relevant national industry associations and with relevant Horizon Europe NCP networks, with the objective to have a wider reach to industrial entities and make the EDF better known.