ATM impact on climate change

The grant opportunity titled "HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03" is part of the Horizon Europe programme, focusing on the impact of Air Traffic Management (ATM) on climate change. The objective is to enhance understanding and develop solutions to mitigate the environmental effects of aviation, particularly concerning non-CO2 emissions.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, industry players such as SMEs and large enterprises in aviation, and public-private partnerships. The funding type is a lump sum grant under the Horizon JU Research and Innovation Action framework. Although the consortium requirement is not explicitly stated, collaboration among multiple stakeholders is implied as encouraged.

The geographic eligibility for this grant covers EU member states, EEA countries, and others associated with Horizon Europe. The target sector encompasses aviation, environmental sustainability, and climate change mitigation, with a focus on research areas related to noise and air quality, atmospheric physics, multipollutant air quality systems, and contrails.

The project stage is geared towards exploratory research and innovation actions, suggesting the need for projects at various developmental stages. The estimated funding ranges from €1 million to €5 million, depending on the specific focus areas under the call. The application process is single-stage, with a submission deadline of September 16, 2025, and is intended to fund projects lasting up to 30 months.

Although specific success rates are not mentioned, it is expected to be in line with the typical competitive rates of 10-39% observed in Horizon Europe grants. Generally, these lump sum grants cover 100% of eligible costs, with no co-funding requirement indicated.

The scope of research is structured around several key areas, including:
1. Evaluating ATM's impact on noise and air quality pollutants.
2. Understanding atmospheric physics related to severe weather events.
3. Developing solutions for assessing environmental and climate impacts of air traffic regulation policies.
4. Creating an environmental performance-monitoring toolkit across various aircraft types and fuels.
5. Validating novel metrics for environmental impact assessments in ATM.
6. Developing integrated forecasting platforms for atmospheric hazards.
7. Enhancing methodologies for analyzing aviation-induced contrails.

Overall, the grant aims to support projects that can effectively contribute to sustainable aviation practices and the reduction of aviation's climate impact through innovative research and collaborative efforts. The applicants are encouraged to adhere to certain dissemination and exploitation obligations regarding the research findings.

This is a Horizon Europe, SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking call for proposals focusing on exploratory research related to the impact of Air Traffic Management (ATM) on climate change. The call, titled "Digital European Sky Exploratory Research 03 (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03)", aims to significantly advance the understanding and mitigation of aviation's climate impact, particularly addressing non-CO2 effects. The call is structured around HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and utilizes a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model.

The call is a single-stage submission process, opening on April 1, 2025, and closing on September 16, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

The total budget allocated to this call is 24,000,000 EUR, divided across several specific topics:

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-2, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-1, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-3, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-4: Each has a budget contribution ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 1 grant per topic, totaling 10,000,000 EUR.

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA2-2, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA2-1: Each has a budget contribution ranging from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 1 grant per topic, totaling 14,000,000 EUR.

The scope of the research includes seven key areas:

1. Noise and Air Quality Pollutants: Research should increase knowledge of ATM's impact on noise and air quality, considering pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOX), particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and unburnt hydrocarbons (HC). It should also address the environmental impacts beyond greenhouse emissions, considering new aircraft propulsion types, configurations, and fuels like hydrogen, referencing the Clean Aviation program. The social acceptance of new entrants like higher airspace operations (HAO), including rocket launches, should also be considered.

2. Atmospheric Physics for Aviation (Extreme Weather Events): Research should focus on the physics of the atmosphere to understand and quantify the effect of climate change on severe weather events and hazards. Innovative methods for modeling climate change effects on future trends are expected, with the objective of improving ATM system climate resilience and adaptation. This includes a thorough state-of-the-art review, considering knowledge gaps reported by ICAO, EASA, and ongoing projects like AEROPLANE.

3. Multi-scale Multi-pollutant Air Quality Systems (CO2 and non-CO2): Research should develop solutions for evaluating the environmental and climate impact of air traffic regulation policies. These solutions should track aircraft emissions (CO2 and non-CO2) on global/regional and local scales, supporting the aviation community in estimating the environmental impacts of air traffic movements. The research may leverage AI technologies for accurate and real-time estimations. Coordination with the Aviation Non-CO2 Expert Network (ANCEN) is required.

4. Development of the Environmental Performance-Monitoring Toolkit (CO2 and non-CO2) to Include New Entrants: This involves expanding ATM aircraft performance models to include new entrants, aircraft types, and fuels. Research should cover the environmental impact of new fuels (hydrogen, electric, sustainable aviation fuels) and aircraft types (hyper-/supersonic), including developing new models and exploring boundaries for change. Methodologies to assess the environmental and societal impact of U-space-enabled drone operations and higher airspace operations (HAO) are also required. Coordination with EASA is necessary.

5. Validation of Novel Metrics in Support of Environmental Impact Assessment in ATM and U-space (Noise, Emissions CO2 and non-CO2): This aims to develop and validate new environmental metrics for use in R&I and operations, enabling informed decision-making and communication on sustainability efforts. Areas for development include the use of extended projected profile (EPP) data, operational proxies for ATM/U-space decision-making, and adaptation of software and methodologies for optimizing environmental performance. Synergies with projects like CLAIM and initiatives like ANCEN should be considered.

6. Integrated Platforms for the Nowcasting and Forecasting of Multiple Atmospheric Hazards: This research focuses on developing integrated platforms to incorporate predictions of atmospheric hazards, enhancing situational awareness for stakeholders. Research may address the extension of nowcasting models, consideration of additional observations, integration of space weather and climate change, application of AI models, and development of decision support systems. The inclusion of weather phenomena impacting U-space and drone operations is also required. The output of project ALARM and ongoing work on project KAIROS should be considered.

7. Contrails: The research aims to enhance the methodology for detecting and recognizing aviation-induced contrails, utilizing deep learning models and physics sciences. The goal is to predict contrail formation, quantify radiative forcing, and assess climate impact. Research should focus on extending humidity measurement techniques and developing sophisticated numerical weather modeling approaches. The phenomenon of embedded contrails and the use of observational sensors should also be explored.

Specific requirements include considering ongoing work under the Aviation Non-CO2 Expert Network (ANCEN) and feeding into community work. Proposals should outline efforts to comply with objectives set in Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085, the SRIA, and the European ATM Master Plan.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum. Beneficiaries will be subject to additional dissemination and exploitation obligations, including sharing results with other grants, making results available for reuse, granting non-exclusive licenses, and ensuring mutual access to background and results of linked actions.

The maximum project duration is 30 months, including a 6-month period for communications, dissemination, and exploitation activities.

The call provides a range of support resources, including a SESAR 3 JU Call Helpdesk, an Online Manual, the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, a Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), the Enterprise Europe Network, an IT Helpdesk, the European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment, and a Partner Search function.

In summary, this call seeks innovative research projects that will contribute to a deeper understanding and effective mitigation of aviation's environmental impact, with a particular emphasis on non-CO2 emissions and the integration of new technologies and operational practices. It encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing to achieve a more sustainable and climate-resilient air transport system.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the context, they include scientific community, academia, OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), aircraft operators, fuel producers, ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Providers), NGOs, regulators, analysts, and policymakers. This suggests a broad range including research institutions, universities, industry players, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Funding Type: The funding type is a HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-RIA), utilizing a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] mechanism.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the call encourages coordination and collaboration, suggesting that consortia are welcome and potentially preferred. The partner search announcements also indicate that collaboration is expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is primarily focused on EU and associated countries, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-associated countries that have made funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily focused on the aviation sector, specifically addressing the environmental impact of Air Traffic Management (ATM) and U-space operations. This includes research related to noise, air quality, atmospheric physics, multi-pollutant air quality systems, environmental performance monitoring, and contrails. The thematic areas also touch on climate, energy, and mobility.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity mentions Europe explicitly and refers to non-EU/non-Associated Countries. It also mentions Grotaglie airport in Italy as a concerned launch site. Therefore, the countries mentioned are Italy, EU member states, and non-EU associated countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on research and innovation actions, implying that the projects should be in the research, development, validation, or demonstration phases. The call aims to increase the body of knowledge and develop potential solutions, suggesting projects beyond the initial idea stage.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic. For HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-*, the contributions range from 500,000 to 1,000,000 EUR. For HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA2-*, the contributions range from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly mentioned. However, Horizon Europe funding often implies a certain level of co-funding, which might be detailed in the general annexes.

Summary: This is a Horizon Europe call under the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking, focusing on exploratory research related to the environmental impact of Air Traffic Management (ATM) and U-space. The call aims to fund research and innovation actions that address the impact of ATM on climate change, specifically focusing on noise and air quality pollutants, atmospheric physics related to extreme weather events, multi-scale multi-pollutant air quality systems, development of environmental performance-monitoring toolkits, validation of novel metrics for environmental impact assessment, integrated platforms for forecasting atmospheric hazards, and the study of contrails. The call is open to a wide range of stakeholders, including research institutions, academia, industry players, and governmental and non-governmental organizations. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with contributions ranging from 500,000 to 2,000,000 EUR depending on the specific topic. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a deadline of September 16, 2025. The maximum project duration is 30 months. Applicants are expected to consider ongoing work under the Aviation Non-CO2 Expert Network (ANCEN) and coordinate with relevant bodies like EASA. The call emphasizes the importance of dissemination and exploitation of research results, including making results available for reuse and granting non-exclusive licenses for standardisation purposes.