Blue Bastion - Submit your project

Project proposals for the second Blue Bastion call must be submitted no later than 1 October 2026 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 BB demonstrator en Research

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.

The deadline for this call is 1 October 2026. Selected projects will start on 4 January 2027 and run until 5 July 2027.

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.

The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is 1 October 2026. Selected projects will subsequently be invited to submit a full proposal by 1 December 2026. Approved projects will start on 1 April 2027 and run until 31 March 2029.

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.

Ready to take your maritime security innovation to the next level? Submit your project proposal no later than 1 October 2026 via blue-bastion@blauwecluster.be.