Advanced noise-reducing technologies for propulsion systems of next generation Ultra-efficient SMR aircraft

HORIZON-JU is a Clean Aviation Call 4 Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action soliciting development and demonstration of advanced noise-reducing and lightweight technologies for Ultra-High Bypass Ratio propulsion systems on next-generation Ultra-Efficient SMR aircraft. The topic focuses on maturing distortion-tolerant fan and intake solutions and validated aero-acoustic modelling to TRL5 to deliver cumulative external noise reduction and structural weight benefits. Funding is provided under the HORIZON-JU-RIA budget-based grant (RIA funding up to 100% of eligible costs) within the Call 4 envelope (indicative €329.5 million across topics). The call is single-stage with a planned opening on 31 March 2026 and a deadline of 19 May 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time, and applicants should form consortia in line with Horizon Europe eligibility (typically minimum three independent legal entities from different EU Member States or Associated Countries).

Funding opportunity overview

Call and topic

Advanced noise-reducing technologies for UHBR propulsion (Clean Aviation CfP 04)

Single-stage Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-RIA) under the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. Topic HORIZON-JU targets maturing distortion-tolerant fan and intake solutions, validated aero-acoustic modelling and light-weight noise-reducing technologies to TRL5 for Ultra-efficient UHBR propulsion on an Ultra-Efficient SMR aircraft concept.

What it funds:Development and demonstration activities (TRL progression to TRL5) that deliver cumulative community noise reduction and structural weight benefits for UHBR propulsion systems, including aero-acoustic modelling, distortion-tolerant fan and intake solutions and associated validation and testing ¹

1. 1Applicants: consortia of legal entities (coordinator + beneficiaries) established in eligible Horizon Europe countries; follow CAJU eligibility rules
2. 2Action type: HORIZON-JU-RIA (Research and Innovation Action); budget-based Horizon action grant
3. 3Submission: single-stage; portal submission when open — templates available in submission system

Apply through the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page. Proposals must respect all Horizon Europe and Clean Aviation call conditions (eligibility, page limits, ethical and security rules, financial capacity checks, model grant agreement). Use the application form in the Submission System; financial templates available mid-March.

Footnotes

1. 1Official topic page and documents, incl. topic description and submission templates: Funding & Tenders Portal - Topic page

Advanced noise-reducing technologies for propulsion systems of next generation Ultra-efficient SMR aircraft

Funding Opportunity Overview

This Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking Horizon Europe call topic targets research and innovation actions to develop and demonstrate advanced noise-reducing and lightweight technologies for ultra-high bypass ratio (UHBR) propulsion systems on the Ultra-Efficient Short-/Medium-Range (SMR) aircraft concept. It seeks maturation of distortion-tolerant fan and intake solutions and improved, validated aero-acoustic modelling up to TRL 5, delivering cumulative external noise reductions and structural weight benefits.

Scope and Technical Objectives

• Develop and demonstrate advanced noise-reducing and lightweight technologies for UHBR propulsion systems on the Ultra-Efficient SMR aircraft concept.
• Mature distortion-tolerant fan and intake solutions and validate improved aero-acoustic modelling up to TRL 5 (technology validated in relevant environment).
• Deliver cumulative external noise reductions for next-generation SMR applications, with structural weight benefits.
• Integrate high-fidelity aero-acoustic modelling and experimental validation to de-risk future propulsion installations for ultra-efficient configurations.

Eligibility and Participation

Eligible Applicant Types

Any legal entity may participate subject to Horizon Europe rules. Typical applicants include: SMEs and large enterprises (engine and propulsion OEMs, nacelle and intake specialists, aero-acoustics and materials companies); universities; research and technology organisations; nonprofits; and public bodies relevant to aeronautics research. Third-country entities may participate as associated partners (without EU funding) unless eligible per Annex B; see funding eligibility below.

Funding Eligibility by Geography

Entities established in EU Member States (including outermost regions) and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible for funding. Certain low- and middle-income countries listed in the General Annexes are also eligible for funding. Specific restrictions apply: entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible to participate in any capacity; entities subject to EU restrictive measures are ineligible. For this RIA topic, the specific Innovation Action restriction regarding entities established in China does not apply. For full country eligibility and exceptions, consult Horizon Europe General Annex B and the Programme Guide.

Consortium Requirement

Standard Horizon Europe RIA eligibility requires a consortium of at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or Associated Country, with at least one established in a Member State. The Clean Aviation Rules allow topic-level derogations (e.g., single applicant) where explicitly stated; unless such a derogation is specified for this topic, applicants should form an eligible multi-country consortium.

Funding Modality and Financial Framework

This is a Horizon Europe HORIZON-JU-RIA grant under the Horizon Action Grant Budget-Based Model Grant Agreement (HORIZON-AG). Cost eligibility, award criteria, reporting, audits, and legal/financial provisions follow the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement and CAJU-specific rules. Funding rates and any CAJU-specific co-funding requirements are defined in the CAJU Work Programme and call conditions; applicants should plan to cover any non-eligible or non-funded costs with their own or partners’ resources.

Nature of Support

Financial support is provided as a grant (money). Non-financial support such as templates, guidance, and helpdesks is also available via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Application and Evaluation

• Submission: Single-stage, via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; Part A (online forms) and Part B (technical annex) following portal templates.
• Opening date: 31 March 2026. Deadline: 19 May 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time.
• Award criteria (HE Annex D): Excellence; Impact; Quality and efficiency of implementation. The CAJU Specific Evaluation Template for Fast Track Activities (FTA) applies.
• Evaluation process (CAJU rules): Individual evaluation; consensus group; topic panel review; optional call panel review. Hearings may be organised to clarify aspects of the proposal. Proposals are evaluated as submitted; budget optimisation may be recommended.
• Indicative timeline: As per Horizon Europe Annex F; applicants typically informed around five months after deadline; grant agreement signature target around eight months after deadline.
• Admissibility and eligibility: See Horizon Europe General Annexes A–C. Proposals must comply with page limits shown in the submission system and ethical/security requirements where relevant.

Administrative Resources and Templates

• Proposal Application Form and Part B template: available in the Submission System when the call opens; examples of standard forms are available in Reference Documents.
• Financial annex templates (mandatory parts of the proposal): estimated budget per reporting period; detailed Work Package description; Work Package effort; Cost Breakdown per beneficiary; Budget summary per applicant and work package; In-Kind Contribution.
• Model agreements: CA JU Model Consortium Agreement; Clean Aviation contract template for the provision of services by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) where applicable.
• Evaluation templates: Standard Horizon Europe evaluation forms; CA JU Evaluation Form for Fast Track Activities (FTA).
• Guidance documents: Horizon Europe Programme Guide; General Annexes; Online Manual; EU Grants Annotated Model Grant Agreement; Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda; Clean Aviation Work Programme 2026–27.
• Help and support: National Contact Points; Enterprise Europe Network; Research Enquiry Service; IPR Helpdesk; CEN-CENELEC/ETSI Research Helpdesks; Funding & Tenders Portal IT Helpdesk.

Programme- and Call-Specific Notices

• CAJU rules for submission, evaluation, selection, award and review apply in addition to Horizon Europe rules. Editorial note: references to earlier Work Programmes in the CAJU rules document must be read as references to the CAJU Work Programme adopted by the Governing Board.
• Two Q&A releases for the call are foreseen: first on 17 February 2026 and second on 17 April 2026; applicants should monitor the topic page for updates and Q&A publications.
• Ethics and security: Projects must comply with ethics principles and applicable legislation; proposals raising complex ethics or security issues may undergo additional reviews.

Categorisation and Structured Information

Eligible Applicant Types:SME; large enterprise; university; research institute; nonprofit; public body; NGO; other legal entities able to contribute to Clean Aviation R&I (e.g., specialized aero-acoustics and propulsion technology providers). Third-country entities may participate under Horizon Europe rules (see geographic eligibility) with funding eligibility defined in Annex B and the Programme Guide.

Funding Type:Grant (HORIZON-JU-RIA, Horizon Action Grant Budget-Based).

Consortium Requirement:Consortium expected under standard Horizon Europe RIA rules (minimum three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries, at least one from an EU Member State). Clean Aviation rules allow topic-level derogation to single-applicant eligibility where explicitly stated; no derogation is announced in the provided topic text.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States (including outermost regions); Horizon Europe Associated Countries; certain low- and middle-income countries per Horizon Europe General Annex B; other third countries may participate without EU funding as associated partners (unless exceptionally funded per Programme Guide). Participation is excluded for entities established in Russia, Belarus, and in non-government controlled territories of Ukraine. Entities subject to EU restrictive measures are ineligible. This topic is an RIA; the specific Innovation Action exclusion for entities established in China does not apply here.

Target Sector:Aviation and aerospace; propulsion systems; aero-acoustics and noise reduction; advanced modelling and simulation; structural and lightweight technologies; environmental performance of aircraft.

Mentioned Countries or Regions:European Union (EU) and Horizon Europe Associated Countries by reference. Explicit exclusions for Russia and Belarus, and for non-government controlled territories of Ukraine, as per Horizon Europe General Annexes. No specific Member States are singled out in the topic text.

Project Stage / Technology Maturity:Research, development, and validation up to TRL 5 (technology validated in a relevant environment). Emphasis on maturing fan/intake aero-acoustic technologies and models for UHBR SMR integrations.

Funding Amount:No specific topic budget per project is stated in the provided text. The total indicative budget for Clean Aviation CfP 04 across all topics is €329,500,000. Applicants should consult the Clean Aviation Work Programme 2026–27 and the topic page for any subsequent allocation details.

Application Type:Open call via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; single-stage submission.

Nature of Support:Money (grant). Ancillary non-financial support includes guidance, templates, and helpdesk services.

Application Stages:1 stage (single-stage submission and evaluation).

Success Rates:Not specified in the provided materials.

Co-funding Requirement:The action follows Horizon Europe HORIZON-AG cost-reimbursement principles under CAJU rules. Applicants must plan to cover any ineligible or non-funded costs. Specific funding rates and any CAJU-specific constraints are defined in the CAJU Work Programme and the call conditions.

Proposal Template and Structure

1. 1Part A (online forms): Administrative data of applicants; declarations; ethics and security questionnaires; budget summary by participant and work package.
2. 2Part B (technical narrative): Excellence (objectives, relation to the work programme, methodology including aero-acoustic modelling and validation plans, TRL advancement to TRL 5, integration for UHBR SMR propulsion); Impact (scientific/technical, environmental noise reductions and weight benefits, pathways to application, standardisation/regulatory relevance for SMR propulsion systems); Implementation (work plan with work packages, deliverables and milestones; risk assessment and mitigation; resources; consortium roles and management, including stakeholders across fan/intake design, validation testing, and modelling).
3. 3Mandatory financial annexes: Estimated budget per reporting period; Detailed Work Package descriptions; Work Package effort table; Cost breakdown per beneficiary; Budget summary per applicant and work package; In-Kind Contribution table (if applicable).
4. 4Ethics and Security: Ethics self-assessment addressing any human participation, data, dual use, or environmental impact elements (if relevant); security section if sensitive or classified information is foreseen.
5. 5Consortium Agreement: Strongly recommended; CA JU Model Consortium Agreement is available. It should define governance, IP and access rights (background/results), decision-making, risk and change management, and publication/communication protocols.
6. 6Optional and call-dependent annexes: Information on financial support to third parties (only if allowed by the topic/call); information on clinical studies template (not typically applicable to this aviation topic).

Key Legal and Procedural References

• Horizon Europe General Annexes A–G: admissibility, eligibility, capacity and exclusion, award criteria, documents, procedure, grant set-up.
• Clean Aviation-specific rules for calls (submission, evaluation, selection, award, reviews) adopted by the CAJU Governing Board.
• Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (HORIZON-AG): budget-based; eligibility of costs, ethics and security, IPR, communication and visibility, reporting, audits, and controls.
• Evaluation process: minimum three external experts; consensus; topic panels; optional hearings; ethics/security reviews as needed.
• Restrictions: participation bans for entities under EU restrictive measures; exclusion of entities established in Russia, Belarus, or non-government controlled territories of Ukraine; other HE restrictions as applicable.

Practical Timeline and Q&A

• Submission system planned to open by late March 2026.
• Q&A documents: first release on 17 February 2026; second release on 17 April 2026; updates will appear on the topic page.
• Applicants are advised to regularly check the topic page for updates, clarifications, or additional documents.

Where to Find More Information

• Official topic page and submission portal: HORIZON-JU-CLEAN-AVIATION-2026-04-FTA-03
• Clean Aviation Work Programme 2026–27 and Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA): available via the topic page Reference Documents.
• Horizon Europe Online Manual, Programme Guide, and General Annexes: accessible from the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Reference Documents section.
• CA JU Specific Rules and Evaluation Templates: published with the call on the topic page.

Summary and Rationale

This topic funds collaborative R&D to bring to TRL 5 advanced noise-reducing and lightweight propulsion technologies tailored to next-generation Ultra-Efficient SMR aircraft using UHBR engines. The core technical aim is to mature distortion-tolerant fan and intake solutions, backed by improved and validated aero-acoustic models, so that cumulative external noise margins are increased while reducing structural mass. It addresses critical barriers to integrating high-bypass propulsion in ultra-efficient airframes and aligns with Clean Aviation’s environmental and competitiveness goals. Proposals should assemble robust multi-disciplinary consortia spanning aero-acoustics, fan/intake aerodynamics and structures, experimental and numerical validation, and propulsion-airframe integration for SMR. Applicants must follow Horizon Europe and Clean Aviation-specific rules, prepare a single-stage proposal through the Funding & Tenders Portal, and plan the work to achieve credible validation in relevant environments by project end. The opportunity provides grant funding to EU and Associated Country entities (with broader international participation under Horizon Europe rules) and is evaluated on excellence, impact, and implementation quality, with single-stage submission and standard HE/CAJU evaluation timelines.

Advanced Noise-Reducing Technologies for Propulsion Systems of Next Generation Ultra-Efficient SMR Aircraft

Opportunity Overview

This funding opportunity, identified as HORIZON-JU, is part of Clean Aviation Call for Proposals 04 under Horizon Europe. It supports the development and demonstration of advanced noise-reducing and lightweight technologies for Ultra-High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) propulsion systems on the Ultra-Efficient Short-Medium Range (SMR) aircraft concept. The focus is on maturing distortion-tolerant fan and intake solutions, supported by improved aero-acoustic modelling, to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5, targeting cumulative noise reduction and structural weight benefits. Full details are in the topic description document published with the call.

Key Dates and Process

Timeline:Planned opening date: 31 March 2026. Deadline: 19 May 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Single-stage submission. Submission system opens end of March 2026. Proposal templates and financial annexes available now on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

1. 1First Q&A document released: 17 February 2026.
2. 2Second Q&A document released: 17 April 2026.
3. 3Evaluation timeline and grant agreement: As per Annex F of Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
4. 4Pitch & Connect event: 13 February 2026 in Brussels.
5. 5Call 4 Info Day: 18 February 2026.

Applicants should monitor the topic page for updates, including supplementary documents and Q&As. Apply via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Funding Details

This topic falls under the overall Call 4 budget of €329,500,000 for 2026, covering multiple topics including Fast Track Activities (FTA). Specific budget for this FTA-03 topic is not individually specified; indicative numbers of grants are not detailed. Total call effort estimated at €824 million including private in-kind contributions. Type of action: HORIZON-JU-RIA (Research and Innovation Action). Model Grant Agreement: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG).

Funding Rates:RIA funding rate up to 100% of eligible costs. No specific maximum per project stated for this topic.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Legal entities from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible for funding. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate under specific provisions. Minimum consortium: Three independent legal entities from different countries (at least one from an EU Member State). Derogations possible for single entities or consortia not meeting minimum conditions if justified in the Work Programme. Pillar-assessed participants may apply their own rules where applicable.

• Admissibility: Proposal page limits and layout per Annex A and E of Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
• Eligible countries: Annex B.
• Other conditions: Annex B.
• Financial/operational capacity and exclusion: Annex C.
• Evaluation criteria: Excellence, Impact, Quality and efficiency of implementation (Annex D). Specific template: Evaluation Form CAJU Fast Track Activities (FTA).

Special Clean Aviation rules apply for submission, evaluation, selection, award and review. SMEs, RTOs, universities encouraged; minimum 15% funding allocation to these in large-scale topics across Call 4.

Technical Scope and Expected Outcomes

Expected outcome: Development and demonstration of advanced noise-reducing and lightweight technologies for UHBR propulsion systems on Ultra-Efficient SMR aircraft. Mature distortion-tolerant fan and intake solutions with improved aero-acoustic modelling to TRL 5, achieving noise reduction and weight benefits. Aligns with Clean Aviation SRIA for tube-and-wing SMR aircraft (200-250 pax, 3000NM range, 30% CO2 reduction target by 2035 EIS).

Key Technologies

• Distortion-tolerant fan and intake solutions.
• Improved and validated aero-acoustic modelling.
• Cumulative noise reduction and structural weight benefits.
• Integration with SMR aircraft propulsion challenges (ducted/unducted, wing-mounted).

Part of broader SMR thrust focusing on propulsion integration, airframe, systems for 30% CO2 reduction. Phase 2 (2026-2030) targets TRL 6 validation via ground/rig/wind tunnel tests and flight demonstrations.

Evaluation and Award Process

Single-stage submission. Award criteria per Annex D: Excellence (threshold 3/5), Impact (threshold 3/5), Quality and efficiency of implementation (threshold 3/5); overall threshold 10/15. Specific template: CAJU FTA Evaluation Form. Process: Individual evaluation, consensus, topic panel review, possible call panel review. Timeline per Annex F.

Application Documents and Support

• Proposal templates available now (Part B, financial annexes mid-March 2026).
• CA JU Model Consortium Agreement.
• Clean Aviation contract template for EASA services.
• Full topic descriptions, Work Programme 2026-27, Q&As, SRIA.
• Guidance: HE Programme Guide, Online Manual, NCPs, EEN, IPR Helpdesk.

Check topic page regularly for updates. Partner search available on Portal.

Additional Considerations

Ethics screening/assessment if applicable. No clinical studies or financial support to third parties indicated. Focus on civil applications. Potential EASA involvement for certification advice per SBA Article 71. Consortium readiness for TRL progression, EU impact alignment critical.

Footnotes

1. 1Primary source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal topic page Topic Page. Additional context from Clean Aviation website and related documents.