The MARLIN Challenge follows a multi-stage process. Each phase builds on the previous one and serves to narrow down the number of entries, improve the quality of the approaches, and ultimately test robust solutions under realistic conditions.
Submit your short concepts. Convince us of your idea!
Following the jury’s selection, contracts for further development will be signed with up to six teams.
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Work Phase I (August – December 2026)The work phase focuses on developing the solutions. Here, you will receive up to 40,000 euros. Our experts and mentors will support you with feedback and answer your questions.
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Initial Tests (December 7 – 11, 2026)You will test your solutions as part of OPEX FCSS 2026 – the “Jamming and Detection” scenario in Eckernförde – directly with the German Navy.
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Work Phase II (January – February 2027)You will have the opportunity to refine your solutions and incorporate the insights from the tests into the final solution.
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Abgabe der Lösungen (bis zum 1. Februar 2027)You must submit your solution concepts by February 1, 2027. After that, the final prototypes and technical documentation will be reviewed by the expert jury.
Technical pre-tests will take place in Eckernförde prior to the final demonstration of the prototypes. The pre-tests serve as quality assurance for the subsequent validation under real-world conditions.
The competition concludes with the “Demo Days” in Eckernförde. Here, your prototypes will be validated in a realistic Navy sandbox under operational conditions.
Any questions?
We have compiled all the important questions and answers about the challenge here.