Open calls for innovation in maritime security and defence
The STRIKE IT call within the Cyber Defence Factory and the MaJoR Open Call under the European Defence Fund provide two targeted funding opportunities for innovative projects in maritime security and defence.
Below you can find a brief overview of both calls.We wish you every success in the further development of your project.
STRIKE IT (Cyber Defence Factory)
Until 8 March 2026, you can submit your project proposal for the STRIKE IT 2026 call. This call is part of the Belgian Cyber Defence Factory (CDF), a Ministry of Defence initiative aimed at accelerating cyber innovation.
In 2026, the focus includes the maritime and naval domain: cybersecurity for connected systems on board vessels and in ports.
Key features
- Funding up to €150,000 per project
- Project duration: maximum 6 months
- Target: output reaching TRL 7 (demonstration or validation outside a laboratory environment)
- Preference for triple-helix consortia (government, industry and knowledge institutions), with at least one private partner
This call provides a concrete pathway towards prototyping, testing and validation in a defence context, with access to specialised test environments.
MaJoR Open Call 1 (European Defence Fund)
Until 25 March 2026, you can submit your project proposal for the MaJoR Open Call 1. This call is part of the European Defence Fund (EDF) and supports innovation through cascade funding.
The focus is on technologies contributing to the modernisation, maintenance and repair of defence systems across multiple domains, including maritime.
IInnovation areas
- Hybrid structures and combinations of different materials
- Innovative joining techniques
- Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and embedded sensor technologies
- Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods
- Digitalisation, artificial intelligence and smart tools for evaluation and maintenance
Key features
- Funding up to €60,000 per selected organisation
- Approximately 30 organisations will be selected
- Includes a 6-month mentoring and support programme
This call is particularly relevant for SMEs, start-ups and research teams working on structural integrity, sensor systems and digital solutions.
Practical overview
| STRIKE IT | MaJoR Open Call 1 | |
| Focus | IoT cybersecurity – maritime/defence | Maintenance, repair & advanced technologies |
| Budget | Up to €150,000 per project | Up to €60,000 per selected organisation |
| Deadline | 8 March 2026 | 25 March 2026 |
Questions or interested?
Members of Blue Cluster can contact us for guidance on these external calls, support in consortium building and advice on proposal strategy.
We are happy to assist you with your submission, planning and match-making.