Submission of DEFRA 2026 research themes

The Royal Higher Institute for Defence is delighted to extend an invitation for the submission of research theme proposals for the 2026 DEFRA Call.

The annual DEFRA Call is a national call organised in partnership with the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) and invites research institutions and industries to submit proposals in fields of interest to Belgian Defence. The program aims to foster project-based basic research, applied research and technology demonstration activities following the Triple Helix model.

Opportunity for Belgian universities, research institutions, and companies

Belgian universities, research institutions, and companies are invited to submit research themes that will be carefully analysed and used as a source of inspiration to define the 2026 DEFRA research themes. Examples of themes from previous call can be found on the DEFRA website.

The themes for the annual call are carefully chosen based on:

  • Research areas within Defence’s scientific and technological research programme.
  • Technology domains defined in the DIRS framework.
  • The multi-year outlook for the European Defence Fund.
  • Interests from the Belgian Defence staff and the Belgian stakeholders reinforcing the Belgian Defence technological and Industrial Base.

Considering previous DEFRA Calls and ongoing projects, nine domains for submitting research themes for the 2026 DEFRA Call have been identified:

  • Defence Cyberspace
  • Protection of critical maritime infrastructure
  • Autonomous land systems
  • Smart and advanced materials
  • Ammunition systems and effectors and integration
  • Advanced military health
  • Communication technologies
  • UAS Concept development, test and experimentation
  • Large area autonomous mine clearance

Did we miss something ? We invite you to come up with your bright motivated proposal for a research theme.

Timing

Theme proposals for the 2026 DEFRA call can be submitted until June 10th, 2025. Please use the fill form for your submission. The RHID will review all submissions and, following consultation with its scientific committee and the Defence staff, the selected themes will be proposed to the board of directors of the RHID. Traditionally, 5 to 6 themes and one open category are selected for the call.

We look forward to your ideas and to continue our shared mission of advancing defence-related scientific and technological research.