Questions and Answers About the Challenge
ECHIS is a structured innovation competition organized by the Cyberagentur in close coordination with the Cyber and Information Domain Command (Kommando Cyber- und Informationsraum – CIR). The focus is on technological concepts and solutions that are technically sound, implementation-oriented, and suitable for subsequent validation in a realistic test environment.
The challenge is particularly aimed at startups and SMEs, colleges, universities, and research institutes, as well as companies and project teams from the fields of communications technology, electronics, and the defense industry, or related technology sectors.
First, the submitted documents are reviewed for form and content. Next, the Brief Concepts are evaluated based on qualitative criteria. For the finalists’ Solution Concepts, the selection committee makes its decision based on the performance of the developed solutions in real-world testing and the submitted documentation.
Idea descriptions in the form of a Brief Concept must be submitted no later than January 8, 2027, at 2:00 p.m., exclusively electronically and in German or English via the application form on this website.
After reviewing the Brief Concepts, up to six participants will be selected for the development phase.
Yes. At the end of the challenge, the finalists will receive a contractually agreed-upon research and development budget for the work phase. The top three finalists will also receive innovation premiums.
First, the submitted documents are reviewed for form and content. Next, the Brief Concepts are evaluated based on qualitative criteria. For the finalists’ Solution Concepts, the selection committee makes its decision based on the performance of the developed solutions in real-world testing and the submitted documentation.
Practical validation takes place in accordance with TRL standards in a sandbox located at a test site in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The challenge is explicitly aimed at relevant stakeholders in EU and NATO countries. Actual participation is subject to the formal conditions of the challenge.
Questions about the challenge should be directed to the Cyberagentur via the following email address: echis@cyberagentur.de
Important to Know
Any further questions?
Questions about the process and the documents can be submitted via the following contact link until January 1, 2027. The answers will be published on this website by January 6, 2027. If deemed necessary for the competition, questions may also be answered earlier.