Enhanced CNS capabilities

The grant opportunity titled "Enhanced CNS capabilities" falls under the Horizon Europe program, specifically associated with the SESAR Joint Undertaking. This initiative is aimed at advancing air traffic management systems through research and innovation in the field of Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS).

Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, public entities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, and consortia formed by these organizations. The funding type is primarily a lump sum grant, falling under research and innovation actions (RIA) related to SESAR. A consortium of multiple partners is required for application, typical for Horizon Europe projects.

Geographically, the program is open to applicants from EU member states, EEA countries, and Horizon Europe-associated nations. While specific countries are not directly listed in the grant details, the general framework aligns with the European scope of the initiative. The funding aims to support projects in the development or validation stage of applied research, specifically addressing the robustness of the aviation sector.

The funding amounts can vary significantly, often ranging between €1 million and €5 million depending on project scope. The application process is structured as a single-stage submission, with a deadline of September 16, 2025.

Funding is provided through a lump sum model, and co-funding is generally expected, with beneficiaries likely needing to contribute to part of the project costs, potentially around 30% of the eligible expenses. Although success rates are not explicitly mentioned, it is common for Horizon Europe programs to have a success rate of approximately 10-20%.

The primary goal of this grant is to enhance CNS capabilities within the European air traffic management system, focusing on several thematic areas, including:

- Developing CNS as a Service (CNSaaS) to leverage cloud-based functionalities for air traffic management.
- Integrating new air and ground technologies to safely incorporate high-altitude pseudo satellites and advanced vehicles into the system.
- Establishing a satellite-based multilateration system as a complementary surveillance infrastructure.
- Enhancing cybersecurity measures across CNS operations.
- Innovating solutions for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) in the event of GNSS outages.

The overall aim is to improve the efficiency, safety, and resilience of air traffic management systems in Europe, aligning with broader goals of digital and green transitions in transportation. The initiative encourages collaborative proposals addressing significant challenges in the aviation sector and has an expected project duration of up to 36 months.

This is a summary of the HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02 call, focusing on enhanced CNS (Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance) capabilities within the Digital European Sky Industrial Research 02 program. This call is structured around several specific topics, each with its own budget, and falls under the Horizon JU (Joint Undertaking) Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) or Innovation Actions (IA) or Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). All topics share a single-stage submission process with an opening date of April 1, 2025, and a deadline of September 16, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The MGA (Model Grant Agreement) type is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant.

The call aims to significantly advance development actions related to next-generation Air Traffic Control (ATC) platforms and CNS capabilities that increase Air Traffic Management (ATM) system robustness. This includes supporting data-sharing service delivery models, resilient integrated CNS/MET (Meteorology) as a service, and traffic synchronization. It also addresses the needs of the military, Innovative Air Mobility (IAM), Higher Airspace Operations (HAO), and U-space.

Key areas of research and innovation include:

CNS as a Service (CNSaaS): Developing solutions for providing communication, navigation, and surveillance functionalities as cloud-based services by independent organizations. This involves identifying CNS technologies, developing business models, and assessing technical requirements like spectrum management, efficiency, redundancy, flexibility, equipage of avionics, and cyber security.

New Air/Ground Technologies for HAO: Researching and developing air/ground CNS capabilities for the safe and efficient integration of high-altitude pseudo satellites (HAPS), hypersonic and supersonic vehicles, and space launches into ATM. This includes reviewing navigation services, integrating space-based ADS-B, developing non-cooperative surveillance technologies, and providing space weather services. These technologies are considered civil/military dual use.

Satellite-Based Multilateration (MLAT): Developing a complementary, resilient, space-based surveillance infrastructure using a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to track aircraft via multilateration. This involves end-to-end validation of the proposed solution, including both space and ground ATM components, and determining functional and non-functional requirements.

Use of ADS-B Phase Overlay: Developing applications that leverage ADS-B phase overlay to enhance security and reduce congestion in the 1030/1090 MHz frequency band. This includes secure ADS-B authentication and applications that improve system performance and safety. ADS-B phase overlay should be developed as a civil/military dual-use technology.

Collaborative Cyber Security Framework for CNS: Defining and validating a global security collaboration framework based on use cases across CNS domains, considering the end-to-end chain to address cybersecurity at a global level. This includes addressing network-level cybersecurity requirements for service providers and mitigating radio frequency interference using various techniques, including AI.

Combined Airborne and Ground Dual-Frequency Multi-Constellation (DFMC) Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS) GAST-E Approach Service: Developing DFMC GBAS to maximize the benefits of this technology for CAT II/III operations, including increased resilience to radio frequency interference and single-constellation outages. This involves developing both the ground station and airborne receiver to TRL6, conducting interoperability testing, and supporting standardization and certification activities.

Ground-Based Alternative – Position, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT): Developing backup solutions for GNSS as a source of PNT, enhancing service resilience, availability, and continuity. This includes investigating different options for time synchronization during GNSS outages and developing enhanced distance measuring equipment (eDME) with capability to support more stringent A-PNT requirements.

The call specifies several general conditions, including admissibility criteria, eligible countries, and financial and operational capacity requirements. The evaluation process will consider excellence, impact, and implementation, with specific weighting assigned to each criterion. A 70% funding rate applies to all beneficiaries, and eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum. Beneficiaries are subject to additional dissemination and exploitation obligations. Collaboration agreements are required, and the maximum project duration is 36 months.

The call provides a detailed budget overview for each topic, specifying the type of action (RIA, IA, or CSA), the total budget, the indicative range of contributions, and the indicative number of grants.

The call also provides links to various resources, including application forms, evaluation forms, model grant agreements, call-specific instructions, and additional documents related to SESAR, Horizon Europe, and relevant regulations.

In summary, this SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking call aims to foster research and innovation in enhanced CNS capabilities to improve the resilience, efficiency, and safety of air traffic management in the context of the Digital European Sky. It encourages proposals that address key challenges such as CNS as a service, integration of new types of aircraft, cybersecurity, and alternative positioning and navigation technologies. The call is structured around specific topics with defined budgets and timelines, and applicants are expected to form collaborative partnerships and adhere to specific dissemination and exploitation obligations.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided content. However, based on the nature of Horizon Europe and SESAR Joint Undertaking, eligible applicants are likely to include a mix of entities such as universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other stakeholders in the aviation and ATM sectors. The mention of "aviation stakeholders, such as airlines, aircraft operators, and air navigation service providers" suggests that these entities are also eligible.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily grant-based, specifically HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), HORIZON JU Innovation Actions (IA) and HORIZON JU Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) under the Horizon Europe Programme. The grants are awarded as lump sums.

Consortium Requirement: A collaboration agreement is explicitly required, indicating that a consortium of multiple applicants is necessary.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that the opportunity is primarily targeted towards EU member states and associated countries, as is typical for Horizon Europe projects. The text mentions "non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding," suggesting that participation from these countries is possible under specific provisions.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily aviation, specifically focusing on Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) functionalities, Air Traffic Management (ATM), and related cybersecurity aspects. It also touches upon space operations, high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS), supersonic and hypersonic vehicles, and innovative air mobility (IAM).

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the European ATM Master Plan and European communication networks, suggesting a European focus. Mentions of Galileo and EGNOS also point to a European context.

Project Stage: The project stage varies across the different research elements, but generally focuses on development, validation, and demonstration, with some elements aiming for Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. The call aims to advance development actions and improve the capabilities of existing systems.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, with ranges including:
EUR 500,000 to EUR 1,000,000
EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 2,000,000
EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000
EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 6,000,000
EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000
EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000
EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 12,000,000
EUR 9,000,000 to EUR 31,000,000

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of lump sum grants to support their research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement. However, the funding rate of 70% implies that beneficiaries need to cover the remaining 30% of the eligible costs, which could be considered a form of co-funding.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically targeting the Digital European Sky Industrial Research 02 (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02) initiative. It seeks to enhance Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) capabilities within the Air Traffic Management (ATM) system, aligning with the European ATM Master Plan. The call is structured around several work areas (WA1 to WA7), each focusing on different aspects of CNS and ATM, including next-generation ATC platforms, ATM system robustness, integration of new technologies like high-altitude pseudo-satellites and space-based surveillance, cybersecurity, and alternative positioning, navigation, and timing solutions.

The funding is provided through Horizon JU Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), with grants awarded as lump sums. The call requires a collaboration agreement, indicating that consortia of multiple applicants are expected. While the geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, it is geared towards EU member states and associated countries, with potential participation from non-EU countries under specific conditions.

The projects should aim to develop and validate solutions, often targeting Technology Readiness Level 6, with a maximum project duration of 36 months. The evaluation criteria emphasize excellence, impact, and implementation, with specific weighting assigned to each. The call aims to foster innovation and improve the safety, efficiency, and resilience of the European air traffic management system.