Blue Bastion - Submit your project
Important Update to the Blue Bastion Call Planning
To allow sufficient time for the administrative processing of contracts and the completion of the required advisory procedures, including the opinion of the Inspectorate of Finance, the planned start dates of the Blue Bastion calls have been adjusted.
- Blue Bastion Demonstrator: project start on 2 March 2027 and project end on 1 September 2027.
- Blue Bastion Research: project start on 1 June 2027 and project end on 31 May 2029.
The proposed timeline is indicative and subject to change. The effective start of the projects can only take place once the Blue Bastion agreements have been fully finalized and signed by all parties.
Project proposals must be submitted via blue-bastion@blauwecluster.be. All relevant information, templates and required documents can be found below.
We strongly encourage you to discuss your project idea with one of our maritime security innovation managers before submitting. This allows us to assess together whether your proposal aligns with the objectives of the call and which funding instrument is most suitable. Use the 2-pager project idea template to structure your idea.
Presentation: Information session on BB Demonstrator and Research projects
Submitting a demonstration project
The Blue Bastion Demonstrator Call supports short-term demonstration projects that validate innovative solutions for the protection of critical maritime infrastructure. Projects can run for a maximum of six months and may receive up to EUR 350,000 in funding. The call is aimed at collaborations between companies, knowledge institutions and operational stakeholders.
The call focuses on four priority domains:
- Rapid underwater threat detection and incident assessment
- Autonomous surveillance of critical maritime infrastructure
- Threat verification and infrastructure inspection
- Solutions that strengthen the protection and resilience of maritime infrastructure.
All projects must also align with Blue Cluster’s Maritime Security Innovation Roadmap.
👉 Documents and templates for demonstration projects
Documentation
- Blue Bastion Demonstrator Call information document
- General Terms and Conditions for the DEFRA 2026 Call (Dutch/French)
Project proposal
Required annexes
Submitting a research project
The Blue Bastion Research Call supports research projects that develop new technologies, concepts and applications for the protection of critical maritime infrastructure. Projects can run for a maximum of 24 months and may receive up to EUR 2 million in funding. The call is aimed at collaborations between companies, knowledge institutions and operational stakeholders.
The focus is on two priority domains:
- Detection, attribution and response to underwater threats.
- Development of new solutions to enhance the protection and resilience of critical maritime infrastructure.
All projects must also align with Blue Cluster’s Maritime Security Innovation Roadmap.
Selected projects will be invited to submit a full proposal by 1 December 2026.
👉 Documents and templates for research projects
Documentation
- Blue Bastion Research Call information document
- General Terms and Conditions for the DEFRA 2026 Call (Dutch/French)
Project proposal
Required annexes
Any questions?
Do you have questions about the call or would you like to discuss whether your project idea fits within Blue Bastion? We are happy to support you in further developing your idea, identifying partners and selecting the most suitable funding instrument. Please contact one of our maritime security innovation managers.
Complaints
The RHID and Blue Cluster place great importance on high-quality service delivery. If you have a complaint regarding the administrative handling of this call, the content of the call, or the contracts resulting from it, we kindly ask you to submit it using the complaints form.