Grant Details

GRANT OVERVIEW

Grant Name and Funding Organization

Enhanced CNS capabilities

Horizon Europe

Total Funding Amount and Duration

Total budget for the call is approximately €140,000,000.

Maximum project duration is 36 months.

Primary Objective and Mission Statement

To significantly advance the development of CNS capabilities for air traffic management.

To support the integration of innovative technologies in aviation.

Key Stakeholders and Beneficiaries

Aviation stakeholders including airlines, aircraft operators, and air navigation service providers.

Research organizations and technology developers in the aviation sector.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Organization Requirements

Eligible organization types include legal entities from EU Member States, Associated Countries, and certain non-associated third countries.

Organizations must register in the Participant Register to obtain a participant identification code (PIC).

Affiliated entities are allowed if they meet eligibility criteria.

Geographic Scope

Eligible countries include all EU Member States and Associated Countries.

Specific restrictions apply to entities from high-risk countries, including China, Russia, and Belarus.

Project Requirements

Projects must focus on enhancing CNS capabilities and align with the European ATM Master Plan.

Research must address the provision of CNS functionalities as a service.

Financial Requirements

Funding rate is set at 70% for all beneficiaries.

Minimum grant amount per application is €2,000,000, and maximum is €7,000,000.

Timeline Requirements

Submission deadline is September 16, 2025.

The submission system opens on April 1, 2025.

Previous Funding Considerations

Entities subject to EU restrictive measures are not eligible.

Entities with significant deficiencies in previous EU contracts may be excluded.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Required Documentation and Materials

Applications must include a detailed budget table and a plan for exploitation and dissemination of results.

Mandatory annexes and supporting documents must be submitted electronically.

Evaluation Criteria and Scoring System

Proposals will be evaluated based on excellence (40%), impact (40%), and implementation (20%).

Threshold for individual criteria is 3, and overall threshold is 10.

Review Process and Timeline

Evaluation results will be communicated approximately 5 months after the submission deadline.

Grant agreements are expected to be signed around 8 months after submission.

Selection Criteria and Priorities

Proposals addressing aspects of the call not covered by higher-ranked proposals will be prioritized.

Consideration will be given to gender balance and geographical diversity.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Unique Aspects or Requirements

Projects must comply with ethical principles and applicable EU laws.

Gender equality plans are required for public bodies and research organizations.

Potential Challenges or Limitations

Entities from high-risk countries may face restrictions.

Compliance with EU cybersecurity regulations is mandatory.

Strategic Alignment Opportunities

Projects should align with EU strategic interests in aviation and technology.

Competitive Advantages or Disadvantages

Strong emphasis on innovative solutions may favor organizations with advanced R&D capabilities.

KEY INSIGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Critical Success Factors

Strong collaboration among consortium members is essential.

Clear demonstration of innovation and impact on the aviation sector.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Failure to comply with submission guidelines and page limits.

Inadequate planning for exploitation and dissemination of results.

Strategic Recommendations for Applicants

Engage with stakeholders early to refine project objectives.

Ensure compliance with all eligibility and financial requirements.

Competitive Positioning Advice

Highlight unique technological advancements and their potential impact on the aviation sector.

Grant Details

aviation cns capabilities research innovation horizon europe air traffic management technology development
Enhanced CNS capabilities
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-2
Horizon Europe
None
140000000.00
2000000.00
7000000.00
EUR
70.00
Sept. 15, 2025, 10 p.m.
2025-01-01 to 2025-05-01