Demonstration of low power Ice Protection System technology

HORIZON-JU funds development and ground demonstration to TRL5 of a low-power, lightweight, low-drag Ice Protection System for the wing and empennage of hybrid-electric Ultra-Efficient Regional Aircraft, representative of EASA CS-25 icing conditions. Action type is a HORIZON-JU Research and Innovation Action with an indicative topic budget of €5,000,000 and a call-level envelope of €329,500,000, with RIA funding rates up to 100% of eligible costs under the HORIZON Model Grant Agreement. Single-stage proposals are submitted via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal, planned opening 31 March 2026 and deadline 19 May 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time, and standard Horizon Europe eligibility, ethics and consortium rules apply. Consortia must demonstrate technical feasibility to reach TRL5 in representative icing environments, certification-readiness considerations, and compatibility with hybrid-electric regional aircraft non-propulsive power budgets, plus plans for dissemination and exploitation.

Demonstration of low power Ice Protection System technology

Call: Clean Aviation CfP 04 (HORIZON-JU-CLEAN-AVIATION-2026-04-FTA-01)

Quick summary

What it funds: development and ground demonstration (to TRL5) of a lightweight, low-drag, low-power Ice Protection System for the wing and empennage of an Ultra-Efficient Regional Aircraft concept based on hybrid-electric propulsion; demonstrations must be representative of EASA CS-25 icing conditions and compatible with regional aircraft non-propulsive power levels.

Funding instrument:HORIZON-JU Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-JU-RIA) under the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking; topic foreseen for single-stage submission. Indicative programme-level envelope for the call series is €329,500,000 ¹.

1. 1Who can apply: legal entities (consortia) established in eligible Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries; follow Horizon Europe and CAJU eligibility, administrative and ethics rules.
2. 2Project requirements: ground demonstrations to TRL5 under representative EASA CS-25 icing conditions; lightweight, low-drag solution compatible with regional non-propulsive power budgets; see topic description for technical and submission requirements.

Footnotes

1. 1Full topic page, documents and templates available on the Funding & Tenders Portal Topic details

Demonstration of low power Ice Protection System technology — Clean Aviation CfP 04

Opportunity ID: HORIZON-JU. Programme: Horizon Europe, Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (CAJU), Call for Proposals 04. Type of action: HORIZON-JU-RIA (Research and Innovation Action). Type of MGA: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. Opening date: 31 March 2026. Deadline model: single-stage. Deadline: 19 May 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time. Submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Topic focus and expected outcome: Development and ground demonstration of a low power Ice Protection System (IPS) for the wing and empennage of an Ultra-Efficient Regional Aircraft concept based on hybrid-electric propulsion. Demonstrations must reach TRL 5 in environments representative of EASA CS-25 icing conditions. The solution should be lightweight and low-drag, and compatible with regional aircraft non-propulsive power levels.

Call documentation and official page:Full topic details, templates, and updates are provided on the official portal Topic page: HORIZON-JU-CLEAN-AVIATION-2026-04-FTA-01 ¹.

Categorisation and Key Parameters

Eligible Applicant Types:Legal entities eligible under Horizon Europe: SMEs, startups, large enterprises, universities, research and technology organisations (RTOs), nonprofit organisations, NGOs, public bodies and agencies, and other entities with legal personality. International European research organisations and EU bodies may participate under the specific rules applicable to them. Clean Aviation rules allow, where duly justified at topic level and set in the Work Programme, a derogation that may permit a single legal entity established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country to participate. Applicants should verify in the topic’s work programme section whether the standard consortium rule applies or the derogation is activated for this topic.

Funding Type:Grant. HORIZON-JU-RIA, budget-based action grant under the HORIZON Model Grant Agreement.

Consortium Requirement:Default Horizon Europe RIA rule: a consortium of at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or Associated Country, with at least one in an EU Member State. Clean Aviation derogations may allow a single legal entity or other specific formations when explicitly set at topic level. The topic page does not state a derogation; applicants should assume the standard consortium rule unless the CAJU Work Programme specifies otherwise.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Applicants established in EU Member States (including outermost regions) and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible for funding. Overseas Countries and Territories linked to Member States are eligible as specified. Entities established in other third countries may participate under the Horizon Europe rules if essential and if eligibility for funding is foreseen. Restrictions apply: legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, and in non-government controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible to participate in any capacity. Further standard restrictions from the Horizon Europe General Annexes apply.

Target Sector:Aviation and aerospace systems with focus on airframe systems engineering; energy and hybrid-electric propulsion integration; ice protection system technologies; materials and surface engineering for ice mitigation; flight sciences and certification-relevant environmental testing; cleantech for aviation efficiency.

Mentioned Countries/Regions:Regionally open to EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and OCTs as per Horizon Europe rules. Entities in Russia, Belarus, and non-government controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible.

Project Stage:Research, development, and validation up to demonstration: TRL 5 ground demonstrations under representative EASA CS-25 icing conditions. The project is expected to mature IPS concepts to a validated state suitable for further integration and possible flight demonstration in subsequent programmes.

Funding Amount:The call-wide indicative budget for Clean Aviation CfP 04 is €329,500,000. A specific topic budget is not published on the topic page. Individual project grant sizes will depend on the proposed work and budget evaluation; RIA funding rate is up to 100% of eligible costs for all beneficiaries unless otherwise specified.

Application Type and Window:Open competitive call, single-stage submission. Submission opens 31 March 2026 and closes 19 May 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time. Applications are submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the provided application forms for this topic.

Nature of Support:Financial support in the form of a grant. Non-financial support includes access to guidance, online manuals, National Contact Points, and partner search tools. Interaction with EASA may occur through a separate service contract if relevant to the project (see below), but such services are not a grant and are costed as eligible purchase costs by the beneficiary under the grant.

Application Stages:Single-stage proposal with a multi-phase evaluation conducted by CAJU: Individual evaluation, Consensus group, Topic Panel Review, and optionally a Call Panel Review. Hearings with applicants may be organised during consensus for clarifications.

Success Rates:No success rate data is provided for this call or topic. Success rates are typically published after evaluations; applicants should not assume any rate a priori.

Co-funding Requirement:For HORIZON-JU-RIA, the EU funding rate is up to 100% of eligible costs. Co-funding is not required beyond covering ineligible costs or costs not accepted. The no-profit and no double-funding rules apply.

Scope, Technical Content, and Compliance

Technical Scope:Develop and experimentally validate a low power Ice Protection System tailored to hybrid-electric regional aircraft configurations. Target wing and empennage surfaces with solutions that minimise power draw, mass, and aerodynamic drag. Perform ground-based demonstration in representative icing conditions aligned with EASA CS-25 Appendix C (and where relevant Appendix O/SUPP) environments to TRL 5. Ensure compatibility with the non-propulsive power budgets typical of hybrid-electric regional concepts.

Regulatory and Certification-Relevant Aspects:Demonstrations must reflect EASA CS-25 icing conditions. Projects are encouraged to consider early regulatory alignment and pre-certification considerations, including means of compliance, test protocols for icing environments, and links to standardisation. Clean Aviation provides a contract template for procuring EASA services where EASA may advise on compliance, standards development, and certification readiness. Any EASA services are acquired via a separate fee-based service contract and may be charged to the project as eligible purchase costs under the HORIZON-AG rules.

Expected Impacts:Contributions to Clean Aviation’s High-Level Objectives on climate neutrality by advancing energy-efficient, low-drag IPS solutions for regional aircraft; enabling integration with hybrid-electric architectures; de-risking certification pathways for novel IPS technologies; and supporting European leadership in low-emissions aviation systems.

Eligibility, Evaluation and Legal Conditions

• Admissibility: Submit before deadline via the Portal; use the official forms; respect page limits shown in the application template. Single-stage full proposal.
• Eligibility of entities and countries: As per Horizon Europe General Annex B; EU Member States, Associated Countries, and specified OCTs are eligible for funding. Certain international participation allowed under conditions. Entities in Russia, Belarus, and non-government controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible in any capacity.
• Consortium composition: Standard HE RIA rules unless a topic-specific derogation applies in the CAJU Work Programme. Affiliated entities and associated partners may participate under HE rules.
• Ethics and security: Ethics self-assessment is required. Projects must be exclusively for civil applications. Classified/sensitive information handling follows applicable EU rules if relevant.
• Evaluation: Award criteria are Excellence, Impact, and Quality and efficiency of the implementation, with thresholds and scoring as per Horizon Europe. For Clean Aviation Fast Track Activities (FTA), the CA JU Specific Evaluation Template for FTA applies. The process includes individual assessment, consensus, Topic Panel Review, and optional Call Panel Review. Hearings may be used for clarifications and to inform recommendations.
• Timeline: Indicative feedback within approximately five months from the deadline; grant agreement signature around eight months from the deadline.
• Grant agreement: HORIZON-AG budget-based action grant. No-profit and no double-funding rules apply. Indirect costs via 25% flat rate unless otherwise specified by the MGA.

Financial Provisions:RIA funding rate up to 100% of eligible costs. Standard HORIZON-AG rules for personnel, purchase costs, subcontracting, equipment (typically depreciation), travel and subsistence, and indirect costs (25% flat rate). Pre-financing, interim and final payments as per the MGA and Data Sheet. Mutual Insurance Mechanism retained from pre-financing applies under Horizon Europe.

Submission Package, Templates, and Q&A

Templates and Supporting Documents:

• Proposal Application Form for this topic (Fast Track Activities, FTA) available in the Submission System.
• CA JU Model Consortium Agreement for internal governance of consortia.
• Clean Aviation contract template for the provision of services by EASA, enabling beneficiaries to procure EASA advisory/certification-related services and charge the costs to the project as eligible purchase costs.
• Standard Horizon Europe evaluation form templates and guidance (HE RIA/IA/CSA, Stage 1/Stage 2 where applicable).
• HE Programme Guide, General Annexes, Model Grant Agreements (HE MGA, Unit MGA, Lump Sum MGA, etc.), and the Online Manual.
• Specific call instructions, including detailed budget table formats when applicable to lump-sum actions.
• Information on financial support to third parties template (to be used only if the topic permits cascading funding; this topic does not indicate that FS3P is foreseen).
• Information on clinical studies template (generally not applicable to this aviation systems topic).

Q&A Schedule and Topic Updates:Two Topic Q&A publications are planned: first release on 17 February 2026 and second release on 17 April 2026. Applicants should monitor the topic page’s Updates and Q&A sections and the F&T Portal for any changes.

Partner Search and Support:A Partner Search function on the Portal allows LEARs, Account Administrators, self-registrants, and users with public profiles to publish requests for collaboration. National Contact Points (NCPs) and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) provide guidance and matchmaking support.

Administrative and Contractual Particulars

• Single-stage submission; full proposals only.
• Evaluation managed by Clean Aviation JU under specific CAJU rules aligned with Horizon Europe, including possible hearings, Topic Panel ranking lists, and Governing Board approval of selected actions.
• Grant preparation may involve technical and budgetary adjustments recommended by evaluators to align with CAJU SRIA High-Level Objectives, ensure synergies across topics, and link actions where beneficial. Cooperation or collaboration agreements linking to other actions may be requested during grant preparation or implementation to foster programme integration.
• Ethics screening and, where needed, assessment will apply to proposals retained for funding.
• Gender Equality Plan eligibility requirement applies to certain categories of applicants as per Horizon Europe (public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions in EU MS/AC must have a GEP at grant signature).

What to Prepare in the Proposal

• A compelling technical work plan to achieve a TRL 5 ground demonstration of a low-power IPS for wing and empennage, including representative EASA CS-25 icing test conditions and power/drag/weight targets compatible with regional hybrid-electric concepts.
• Evidence of feasibility and innovation beyond state-of-the-art in IPS concepts (e.g., electro-thermal, electro-mechanical, hybrid systems, advanced surface treatments/coatings, morphing or distributed actuation strategies), with quantified performance targets and safety considerations.
• A robust verification and validation plan referencing EASA CS-25 icing envelopes, representative test rigs, icing wind tunnel use or equivalent simulation and hardware-in-the-loop capability, and measurement methodology for thermal, aerodynamic, and power system performance.
• Integration and system engineering approach ensuring compatibility with non-propulsive power levels in hybrid-electric regional platforms, including power quality, thermal management, control integration, and fail-safe strategies.
• Environmental and lifecycle considerations: weight and drag reduction benefits, power draw minimisation, maintainability, and potential impacts on aircraft-level efficiency and emissions.
• Certification-readiness planning: mapping of applicable CS-25 subparts and icing-related means of compliance, standardisation links, and a pathway for potential EASA advisory engagement (via the EASA service contract, if desired).
• Consortium excellence: demonstration of the partners’ complementary expertise in icing physics, airframe and power system integration, testing under icing conditions, safety and certification, and industrialisation pathways.
• Dissemination, exploitation, and communication plan aligned with Clean Aviation goals, including IP management, standardisation contributions, and a strategy for downstream integration or flight demonstrations.

Key Dates and Process Milestones

Compliance Checklist and Restrictions

1. 1Exclusively civil applications. No military end-use.
2. 2Ethics self-assessment completed; comply with EU, national, and international law.
3. 3Country restrictions: entities in Russia, Belarus, and non-government controlled territories of Ukraine are ineligible.
4. 4No double funding; no profit; costs must be eligible under the HORIZON-AG.
5. 5Confidentiality and, if applicable, classified information handling per EU rules.
6. 6Gender Equality Plan requirement for eligible organisations in EU MS/AC.
7. 7Adhere to page limits specified in the application template within the Submission System.

Templates: Structure and Use

Application Form (FTA topic):The single-stage technical application (Part B) should follow the Horizon Europe structure geared to the RIA criteria: Excellence, Impact, and Quality and efficiency of Implementation. Within these, applicants should cover state-of-the-art and objectives; methodology and V&V under EASA CS-25 icing; work plan, WPs, deliverables, milestones; risk assessment and mitigation; consortium capacity; and dissemination/exploitation/communication. Part A collects administrative data, partner PICs, budget summary, and call-specific declarations.

CA JU Model Consortium Agreement:Provides an outline for internal governance: decision-making bodies, IP management and access rights, publication procedures, financial arrangements (including distribution of EU funding and management of recoveries), liability and dispute resolution.

Clean Aviation–EASA Service Contract Template:Defines the optional procurement of EASA advisory services for certification readiness and standardisation input. The contract specifies scope, tasks, deliverables, estimated hours and budget, invoicing and payment, data protection, confidentiality, liability, and term. Beneficiaries may charge EASA invoices as eligible purchase costs under the grant (Other goods, works and services). The contract does not confer any entitlement to certification and safeguards EASA’s regulatory independence.

Evaluation Forms and Guides:The CA JU Specific Evaluation Template for Fast Track Activities (FTA) applies, aligned with Horizon Europe award criteria. Support documents include the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, General Annexes, Model Grant Agreements, Annotated Grant Agreement, and the Online Manual. Applicants should also consult the Clean Aviation Work Programme 2026–27 and the Full Description of Topics in this Call.

Summary and Explanation

This Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking topic funds research and innovation activities to develop and validate, at TRL5, a low power Ice Protection System for hybrid-electric regional aircraft wings and empennage under representative EASA CS-25 icing conditions. Proposals should demonstrate credible innovation beyond state-of-the-art with clear performance and power targets, a robust V&V plan using representative icing environments, and strong integration with hybrid-electric aircraft non-propulsive power budgets. Projects must align with Clean Aviation’s climate-neutrality ambitions by delivering lower-drag, lightweight, and power-efficient IPS technologies that can de-risk certification and enhance European competitiveness. Applications are submitted in a single stage, evaluated by independent experts under Clean Aviation’s FTA-specific evaluation, and awarded as Horizon Europe RIA grants under the HORIZON Model Grant Agreement. Funding can reach up to 100% of eligible costs. Standard Horizon Europe eligibility, ethics, and legal requirements apply, with geographic restrictions per the General Annexes. Templates and guidance, including the CA JU Model Consortium Agreement and an EASA services contract template, are provided to streamline proposal preparation and, where helpful, to plan for certification-readiness advisory services. Applicants should monitor the topic page for Q&A releases and any updates prior to submission.

Footnotes

1. 1Official topic information, templates, and updates are accessible on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal at the topic page: HORIZON-JU-CLEAN-AVIATION-2026-04-FTA-01.

Demonstration of Low Power Ice Protection System Technology

Opportunity Overview

This funding opportunity under Clean Aviation Call for Proposals 04 (HORIZON-JU-Clean-Aviation-2026-01) supports the development and ground demonstration to TRL5 of a low power Ice Protection System (IPS) for the wing and empennage of an Ultra-Efficient Regional Aircraft concept based on hybrid-electric propulsion. The solution must be lightweight, low drag, and compatible with regional aircraft non-propulsive power levels, representative of EASA CS-25 icing conditions. Full details are in the topic description document published with the call.

Topic ID:HORIZON-JU

Type of Action:HORIZON-JU-RIA (Research and Innovation Action)

Indicative Budget:€5,000,000 (one project expected). Total call budget: €329,500,000.

Key Dates

1. 1Planned opening date: 31 March 2026
2. 2Deadline: 19 May 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission)
3. 3Evaluation results: Approximately 5 months after deadline
4. 4Grant agreement signature: Approximately 8 months after deadline

Proposal templates and supporting documents will be available in the submission system from late March 2026. Check the topic page regularly for updates, including Q&A documents (first release: 17 February 2026; second: 17 April 2026).

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Legal entities forming a consortium are eligible, with at least three independent legal entities from different EU Member States or Associated Countries (at least one from a Member State). Single entities or consortia not meeting this minimum may be eligible if specified in the topic. Eligible countries are detailed in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Non-EU entities from low/middle-income countries may be eligible for funding if essential.

Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity. Exclusion criteria apply for bankruptcy, grave professional misconduct, fraud, etc. (Annex C of General Annexes).

Evaluation Criteria

Specific template: Evaluation Form CAJU Fast Track Activities (FTA). Proposals must pass individual and overall thresholds for funding consideration.

Funding Details

Type of MGA: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG). Funding rate: 100% for RIA. Costs are eligible if incurred during the project duration, identifiable, verifiable, and compliant with Horizon Europe rules. No specific funding amount per project stated beyond indicative €5M; budget flexibility allowed within limits.

Application Process

1. 1Register in the Participant Register and validate PIC.
2. 2Submit via EU Funding & Tenders Portal (single-stage).
3. 3Prepare using FTA Proposal Application Form, CA JU Model Consortium Agreement.
4. 4Admissibility: Page limits per Annex A/E.
5. 5Eligibility: Countries per Annex B, other per Annex B.
6. 6Evaluation: Independent experts using FTA template.

Submission system opens end of March 2026. Check topic page for updates and Q&As. Partner search available on portal.

Key Requirements and Conditions

• Ground demonstrations to TRL5 under EASA CS-25 icing conditions.
• Lightweight, low-drag IPS compatible with hybrid-electric regional aircraft power levels.
• Compliance with Clean Aviation SRIA and Work Programme 2026-27.
• Ethics self-assessment required.
• Gender equality plan for public bodies/research organisations/HEIs.
• No financial support to third parties unless specified.

Additional Documents and Resources

Primary source: EU Funding Portal. Key documents: Clean Aviation Work Programme 2026-27, Full Description of Topics, Q&A releases, Model Consortium Agreement, Horizon Europe General Annexes.

Support: National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), IT Helpdesk, Research Enquiry Service. Check for partner search announcements.

Strategic Context

Aligns with Clean Aviation's Ultra-Efficient Regional Aircraft thrust targeting 30% CO2 reduction by 2035, hybrid-electric propulsion, and 100% SAF compatibility. Supports EU Green Deal goals for climate-neutral aviation. Related efforts include ATR's HERACLES/DEMETRA projects and RTX hybrid-electric demonstrator.

Footnotes

1. 1Budget estimate from external sources; confirm on official portal as indicative figures may vary. Topic page provides authoritative details.