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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to support the execution of the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking's program by focusing on two key areas: developing a consistent SESAR architecture and supporting strategic deployment planning and monitoring activities within Air Traffic Management (ATM).
It targets organizations with expertise in aviation, specifically in Air Traffic Management (ATM) architecture, strategic planning, and deployment.
This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant, focused entirely on the aviation and Air Traffic Management (ATM) sector.
The geographic scope is European, centered around initiatives like the European ATM Master Plan and SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research).
Key filtering criteria for initial screening include a strong background in ATM R&I, architecture development, and experience with European aviation regulatory and standardization bodies.
This is a specific call within the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Bi-Annual Work Programme (2024-2025), indicating a periodic, structured program context.

Financial Structure

The total budget earmarked for this specific topic (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-2) in 2025 is EUR 1,000,000.
The minimum grant amount per project is EUR 500,000.
The maximum grant amount per project is EUR 1,000,000.
The grant currency is EUR.
A funding rate of 70% applies to all beneficiaries, regardless of their legal status.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum, meaning a fixed amount is provided for the entire project or specific work packages, rather than reimbursement of actual costs incurred.
Co-financing is required, as the grant covers 70% of eligible costs; the remaining 30% must be covered by the beneficiary(ies).
Financial reporting will be based on the lump sum model, simplifying reporting requirements but requiring strong upfront agreement on activities and costs.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type and Structure

Eligible organization types are not explicitly defined as SME, NGO, etc., but generally refer to 'beneficiaries' as per Horizon Europe rules. This implies a broad range of legal entities, including companies, research organizations, and public bodies, are likely eligible.
A collaboration agreement is required, indicating that proposals must involve a consortium of organizations.

Geographic Requirements

Eligible countries are those defined in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. This typically includes EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe.
The grant's focus is on activities supporting European aviation initiatives.

Technical and Experience Requirements

Demonstrated expertise in SESAR architecture, including modelling methodologies and framework maintenance.
Capability to monitor and report on SESAR architecture progress.
Experience in supporting strategic deployment activities related to the ATM Master Plan.
Ability to facilitate market uptake of SESAR Solutions.
Expertise in Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) activities for aviation deployment.
Understanding of the links between standardisation and regulatory needs within the aviation sector.

Application Process

The submission session became available on 2025-04-01.
The application deadline is 2025-09-16 00:00:00+00.
Applications are submitted through a single-stage process.

Required Documentation and Materials

Standard application form (Part A): Only Part A of this template is applicable.
SESAR 3 application form (Part B): This is a specific application form for this call, available in the Submission System.
Detailed budget table (for Lump Sum grants).
A collaboration agreement is required to be in place for linked actions.

Project Implementation and Reporting

The maximum project duration is 36 months.
Beneficiaries must make proactive efforts to share all relevant results, on a royalty-free basis, with other grants awarded under the same call.
Beneficiaries must acknowledge and incorporate these dissemination obligations into their proposal and grant agreement.
Beneficiaries have additional exploitation obligations: results must be made available for reuse under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory conditions (FRAND) through a trusted repository.
If the purpose relates to standardisation, beneficiaries must grant a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to the results.
For linked actions, beneficiaries must ensure mutual access to background and results of ongoing and closed linked actions if necessary for implementation or exploitation.

Application Assistance

SESAR 3 JU Call Helpdesk: [email protected]
Online Manual: Guide on procedures from proposal submission to grant management.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide: Detailed guidance on structure, budget, and political priorities.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ: Answers to common questions on submission, evaluation, and grant management.
Research Enquiry Service: For general questions about European research.
National Contact Points (NCPs): Guidance and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe.
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): Advice for businesses, especially SMEs, on EU research funding.
IT Helpdesk: For technical issues with the Funding & Tenders Portal.
European IPR Helpdesk: Assists with intellectual property issues.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk: Advice on standardisation in project proposals.
Partner Search: Tools to find partner organizations.

Evaluation Criteria

Main Evaluation Criteria Weighting

Excellence: 40%
Impact: 40%
Implementation: 20%

Excellence

Clarity and pertinence of the project's objectives.
Soundness of the proposed methodology, including architecture modelling and monitoring approaches.
Quality of the proposed work plan, ensuring alignment with SESAR 3 JU needs.

Impact

Contribution to consistent SESAR architecture design across the program.
Support for future Common Project regulations to enable strategic deployment objectives (SDOs).
Effectiveness in involving the ATM workforce in deployment planning and fostering social acceptance of changes.
Potential to facilitate market deployment of priorities (SDOs) by early adopters.
Support for SESAR 3 JU in coordinating deployment entities at the European level.
Alignment with the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) and ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP).
Proactive dissemination efforts and making results available for reuse under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory conditions (FRAND).

Implementation

Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, including appropriate resources and project management.
Appropriateness of the distribution of tasks within the consortium.
Quality of the proposed financial management and cost effectiveness.
Capability to ensure mutual access to background and results of linked actions, if applicable.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

This call is subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
Projects must adhere to general Horizon Europe regulatory compliance requirements, as described in Annexes of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Intellectual Property (IP) Policies

Beneficiaries must ensure that results are made available for reuse under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions (FRAND) via a trusted repository.
For results related to standardisation, a non-exclusive, royalty-free license must be granted.
Mutual access to background and results of linked actions is required if necessary for implementation or exploitation.

Risk Management and Security

The scope includes the potential to extend architecture methodology to support cyber risk assessment of supporting assets.

Ethical Standards

The integration of a gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) into Research & Innovation (R&I) content is not a mandatory requirement for this grant.

Unique Aspects and Strategic Opportunities

The grant requires a collaboration agreement with actions previously awarded under the calls HORIZON-SESAR-2022-DES-IR-01 and HORIZON-SESAR-2022-DES-ER-01. This is a crucial prerequisite for successful application.
It offers a strategic opportunity to contribute directly to the evolution and implementation of the European Air Traffic Management system, influencing future regulations and standards.
Projects should facilitate market uptake of SESAR Solutions, implying a focus on practical deployment and industrialization.
A specific focus on supporting the alignment of the ICAO aviation system block upgrade with the European ATM Master Plan evolution provides an international impact opportunity.

Grant Details