Enhancing Resilience and Accuracy in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Systems and e-conspicuity solutions

This summary outlines the Horizon Europe grant opportunity HORIZON-CL5 focused on enhancing resilience and accuracy in positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems, as well as developing e-conspicuity solutions. The grant is classified as a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) and will provide funding in the form of a lump sum grant, with a total budget of €5,000,000 intended for a single grant recipient. The call is set to open on June 3, 2027, and the application deadline is October 7, 2027. The scope of the grant emphasizes the development of alternative PNT systems that can serve as backups to global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), which are vulnerable to interference. Specific expected outcomes include the integration of 5G networks and AI-enhanced signal processing to improve PNT accuracy, as well as the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to create resilient navigation solutions. The project also aims to enhance e-conspicuity—making aircraft more visible to one another in low-altitude airspace to improve safety and reduce collision risks. Eligible applicants include a range of organizations such as research institutes, technology companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and public-private partnerships located in EU member states, EEA countries, and associated countries. However, applicants controlled by entities from China are not eligible. The funding will support projects that explore innovative solutions for PNT technologies, address policy and regulatory frameworks, and aim for practical implementation rather than purely theoretical assessments. The application process is single-stage, with a straightforward proposal submission expected. Success rates for this grant are anticipated to be competitive, likely falling within the 10-20% range due to the high interest and specific focus of the call. There are no explicit co-funding requirements, although project sustainability and extension beyond the funding period will be encouraged. In summary, this Horizon Europe opportunity represents a strategic investment in developing advanced navigation technologies that enhance Europe’s autonomy and security while modernizing aviation safety infrastructure. Organizations with expertise in PNT systems, telecommunications, IoT, and related fields are encouraged to participate and prepare for the upcoming application timeline.

This is a Horizon Europe grant opportunity focused on enhancing the resilience and accuracy of positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems, as well as developing e-conspicuity solutions. The call, HORIZON-CL5, falls under the MOBILITY (HORIZON-CL5-2027-06) call within the Horizon Europe program. It is a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The deadline model is single-stage, with a planned opening date of June 3, 2027, and a deadline of October 7, 2027, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of this grant are:

Development of solutions integrating 5G networks, supported by advanced signal processing techniques (e.g. AI-Enhanced Signal Processing) to improve the accuracy of PNT systems, as GNSS backup solutions to enhance resilience in contested environments, including filtering noise and interference from signals to enhance the precision of location data, and appropriate post-quantum cryptographic measures to enhance resilience against emerging threats.

Integration with Other Technologies:Development of solutions leveraging Internet of Things (sensors, communication signals, AI-enhanced processing), and other sensing techniques to provide redundant and resilient navigation solutions and to enhance capabilities and applications, especially at low altitude airspace.

E-conspicuity:Definition of mobile communication performance requirements for e-conspicuity, assessment of network performance and determination of minimum availability requirements for mobile telephony for collision to support collision avoidance for a drone and manned aircraft.

Analysis of policy and regulatory aspects to better understand the legal and regulatory issues surrounding the deployment and use of PNT systems, including concerns related to privacy, spectrum management, international cooperation, and harmonisation of regulatory frameworks and shared technologies.

The scope of the grant is to address alternative PNT methods that are essential to provide fallback options in case of GNSS signal loss or degradation. It aims to investigate innovative solutions for PNT, including the impact on the regulatory framework, integrating advanced 5G technologies and IoT to act as complementary, redundant, secure, and resilient navigation solutions for aviation, including UAS, in challenging environments. The topic also addresses e-conspicuity, aiming to enhance pilot awareness notably at lower altitudes in U-space airspace to reduce collision risk in general aviation.

The general conditions include:

Admissibility Conditions:Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

Eligible Countries described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Other Eligible Conditions:Beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS if projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services. There is a restriction on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas, where entities controlled by China are not eligible.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Evaluation and award:Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Legal and financial set-up of the grants:The granting authority may object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results up to 4 years after the end of the action, as set out in Annex 5. Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Specific conditions state that the call is not applicable.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information:

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE RIA, IA).

Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA).

Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide.

Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the Lump Sum MGA.

Call-specific instructions include a detailed budget table (HE LS) and guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include:

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes

HE Programme Guide

HE Framework Programme 2021/695

HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764

EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509

Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme

Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment

EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement

Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual

Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions

Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

The budget overview for the call in 2027 is as follows:

HORIZON-CL5-2027-06-D6-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:€5,500,000, single-stage, with approximately 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL5-2027-06-D6-05 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions:€4,000,000, single-stage, with approximately 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL5-2027-06-D6-08 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€21,000,000, single-stage, with approximately 3 grants (€7,000,000 each).

HORIZON-CL5 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions:€5,000,000, single-stage, with approximately 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL5-2027-06-D6-12 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions:€1,600,000, single-stage, with approximately 1 grant.

There are partner search announcements available, and the submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

This Horizon Europe call seeks to improve the reliability and precision of navigation and timing systems, particularly for aviation and unmanned aircraft, by exploring alternatives to GNSS, which is susceptible to interference. The call encourages the use of 5G, IoT, and AI to create backup navigation solutions and enhance pilot awareness through e-conspicuity. The goal is to develop technologies and policies that ensure safer and more resilient air travel, especially in challenging environments, while also addressing regulatory and privacy concerns.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given that it is a Horizon Europe call, eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other legal entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The mention of LEAR appointment and financial capacity assessment suggests that a wide range of organizations can apply, provided they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and General Annexes.

Funding Type:The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the Type of MGA (Model Grant Agreement) being "HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]". Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

Consortium Requirement:The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required. However, the presence of a "Partner Search" function suggests that collaborative projects involving multiple partners are encouraged, and the nature of the activities (integrating 5G, IoT, aviation, UAS) implies that a consortium with diverse expertise may be beneficial.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility is primarily focused on EU and associated countries, as indicated by the reference to Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. However, the text also mentions that "A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects." Therefore, some third-country participation is possible.

Target Sector:The program targets multiple sectors, including:

Mobility (specifically aviation and UAS)

ICT (5G/6G networks, IoT, AI)

Space (satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation)

Security/Cybersecurity (post-quantum cryptographic measures)

Policy and Regulatory Analysis (privacy, spectrum management)

Mentioned Countries:The text mentions China as a country for which there are restrictions on entities controlled by it participating in the action. The primary geographic focus is on the EU and associated countries, with some possibilities for non-EU/non-associated countries.

Project Stage:The project stage is primarily focused on innovation actions (IA) and research and innovation actions (RIA), suggesting a focus on development, validation, and demonstration, potentially leading to commercialization. The call also includes Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), which may support earlier-stage research or preparatory activities.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary by topic, as shown in the Budget overview:

HORIZON-CL5-2027-06-D6-04 (RIA):€5,500,000 (1 grant)

HORIZON-CL5-2027-06-D6-05 (CSA):€4,000,000 (1 grant)

HORIZON-CL5-2027-06-D6-08 (IA):€21,000,000 (3 grants, implying €7,000,000 per grant)

HORIZON-CL5 (IA):€5,000,000 (1 grant)

HORIZON-CL5-2027-06-D6-12 (CSA):€1,600,000 (1 grant)

The funding range is therefore variable, from €1.6M to €7M per grant, with a total of €37.1M available across the listed topics.

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 is single-stage.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned. However, the "Indicative number of grants" provides some insight. For example, HORIZON-CL5-2027-06-D6-08 indicates that approximately 3 grants will be awarded for a topic with a total budget of €21 million. Without knowing the expected number of proposals, it is difficult to estimate the success rate, but it is likely to be in the 10 to 39% range, typical for Horizon Europe calls.

Co-funding Requirement:The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. However, given that these are Innovation Actions (IA), some level of co-funding may be expected, although this is not definitively stated.

Summary:This Horizon Europe call, under the MOBILITY pillar, focuses on "Enhancing Resilience and Accuracy in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Systems and e-conspicuity solutions." It aims to develop alternative PNT methods that are more resilient to jamming and spoofing than current GNSS systems. The call encourages the integration of emerging technologies like 5G/6G and IoT to create complementary and redundant navigation solutions, particularly for aviation and UAS in challenging environments. It also addresses e-conspicuity to improve pilot awareness and reduce collision risks in general aviation. The call is structured around several specific topics, each with its own budget and expected outcomes, ranging from research and innovation actions (RIA) to coordination and support actions (CSA). Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations from EU and associated countries, with some possibilities for third-country participation. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the application process is a single-stage open call. The call seeks to foster innovation in PNT technologies, improve aviation safety, and address regulatory and policy aspects related to these advancements.