Awards for the development of new dual technologies linked to autonomous naval platforms. 2026
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The prizes of this call are aimed at the recognition of innovative ideas formulated by small companies in the field of innovative technologies linked to the development of autonomous naval platforms, one of the key challenges included in the Technology and Innovation Strategy for Defense 2026 (ETID, from now on).

The candidacies for the awards must be framed in one of the following technological categories:
CATEGORY 1: Explainable autonomous decision-making in complex environments
CATEGORY 2: Data Fusion and Shared Tactical Vision
CATEGORY 3: “sense and avoid” technologies for unmanned naval systems
CATEGORY 4: Intelligent coordination of naval robotic swarms
CATEGORY 5: On-board power generation systems
CATEGORY 6: Intelligent management of energy consumption on board
CATEGORY 7: Augmented/mixed reality
CATEGORY 8: PNT (Positioning, Navigation and Timing)
CATEGORY 9: Information Highways
CATEGORY 10: Photonics
CATEGORY 11: Digital Twin
CATEGORY 12: Combat Cloud
CATEGORY 13 Defensive Attack Automation and Adaptive Detection Systems

Summary sheet of the assistance

Action

Awards for the development of new dual technologies linked to autonomous naval platforms. 2026

Overall Objective

The recognition of innovative ideas formulated by small companies in the field of innovative technologies linked to the development of autonomous naval platforms, in the technological categories listed in Annex I of the call.

Beneficiaries

Small companies may be candidates as defined in the Annex to CNU/161/2025, of 7 February, validly incorporated and with tax domicile in Spain, or, in the case of having tax domicile in the EU, have an establishment or branch located in Spanish territory.

Call type

Competitive concurrence with filing deadlines.

Submission deadline

From April 28 to May 12, 2026, at 12:00 noon, peninsular time.

Call Status

Open.

Type of assistance

Awards.

Call budget

The amount available for these awards will be 650,000 euros, which will be financed from the CDTI heritage.

Characteristics of the assitance

Each prize will be awarded with 50,000 euros and a maximum of one prize per category will be awarded.  

Characteristics of the project

Innovative ideas formulated by small companies in the field of innovative technologies linked to the development of autonomous naval platforms, in the technological categories listed in Annex I of the call.

Call funding

Heritage of the CDTI.

Allows for generating motivated reports

No. No.

Specific objectives

The recognition of innovative ideas formulated by small companies in the field of innovative technologies linked to the development of autonomous naval platforms, in the technological categories listed in Annex I of the call.

Evaluation criteria

The evaluation of the applications will be carried out according to the evaluation criteria and the weighting indicated in article 20, letter k, of Order CNU/161/2025, of 7 February, as amended by Order CNU/331/2026, of 8 April.

Incentive effect

There is no.

Accumulation and incompatibilities of additional aid perception

In accordance with the provisions of article 40.2 of Order CNU/161/2025, of 7 February, these prizes are incompatible with other subsidies, aid, income or resources for the same purpose, coming from any public or private administrations or entities, national, of the European Union or from international bodies.

Regulatory framework

Order CNU/161/2025, of February 7, approving the regulatory bases for the granting of public aid by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation, E.P.E., within the framework of the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2024-2027, modified by Order CNU/331/2026, of April 8.