Fast-track Extending U-space eco-system

The SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking is offering funding through the HORIZON Call titled Digital European Sky Industrial Research 02, aiming to enhance the U-space ecosystem. This initiative is focused on improving communication, navigation, and surveillance capabilities for drone operations and integrating these services with various types of aircraft. The call is structured around specific topics, each with dedicated budgets and contribution ranges, and will open on April 1, 2025, and close on September 16, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

The application process is a single-stage open call, utilizing a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant model. The expected outcomes include advancements in CNS capabilities for U-space, including the integration of communication networks for drone operations and enhancements for various aircraft types. The scope incorporates development areas such as using public cellular networks for low-altitude operations and creating low-cost CNS solutions for regional airports.

Funding amounts vary by topic, with several areas designated for HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions, Coordination and Support Actions, and specific contributions outlined for each area. Collaborations are mandatory, with proposals ideally involving multiple stakeholders from academia, industry, and public entities. Geographic eligibility is primarily focused on EU countries and associated regions, with potential for engagement from non-EU partners under certain conditions.

Projects should align with the European ATM Master Plan to contribute to safer and more efficient air traffic solutions. The lump sum model simplifies financial reporting, emphasizing the need for tangible outcomes and cooperation among participants. Evaluation criteria are based on excellence, impact, and implementation, ensuring a competitive funding environment. The maximum project duration is set at 36 months.

The SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking (JU) is offering funding through the HORIZON Call Digital European Sky Industrial Research 02 (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02) to advance the U-space ecosystem. This call aims to improve CNS (Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance) capabilities for U-space, extend the U-space ecosystem, and integrate U-space services with various types of aircraft and airspace. The call is structured around several topics, each with its own budget, contribution range, and indicative number of grants. The call opens on April 1, 2025, and closes on September 16, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The call is a single-stage submission process. The type of action is HORIZON JU Innovation Actions (HORIZON-JU-IA), and the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS].

The expected outcomes of the projects funded under this call are to significantly advance:

IR-6-02: CNS capabilities for U-space, including detect and avoid and collision avoidance for UAS, and the use of mobile networks by U-space (including performance-based communication and surveillance services using a mobile network infrastructure).

IR-6-03: Extending U-space eco-system. This includes the use of U-space services by commercial aircraft, general aviation, crewed VCA, etc., and the use of U-space services outside U-space airspace.

The scope of the call includes, but is not limited to, the following research and innovation (R&I) needs:

Use of public LTE/4G/5G cellular networks for low altitude operations: Research into using public cellular networks for drones, GA, and rotorcraft, focusing on CNS applications enabled by TIS/FIS services and automatic vehicle position reporting. This aims to increase traffic situation awareness. The research should address:

Definition of operational use cases for small drones, GA, certified crewed or uncrewed IAM vehicles, ATC, and USSPs.

Development of onboard CNS equipment with integrated cellular network modem, including additional CNS functions for the local operating environment. Performance requirements (e.g., low message loss, latency) should be defined and validated.

Development of a taxonomy for connectivity reliability based on coverage measurements/maps for different altitudes, and investigation of how these may be considered within SORA to relax operational constraints.

Development of operational procedures to manage service degradation, including alerting mechanisms.

Assessment and demonstration of benefits for operational safety and stakeholders (GA pilots, IAM pilots, drone remote pilots, ATC).

Validation of applications for GA, rotorcraft, and drones (e.g., traffic information, conformance monitoring & alerting, emergency management).

Investigation of the potential for newly developed technologies to meet the performance requirements for certified aircraft.

Consideration of work performed by solution PJ.14-02-05, exploratory research FACT, and ER project NEWSENSE, as well as ongoing work under project ANTENNAE.

Low-cost CNS solutions for vertiports (and regional airports): Development of low-cost CNS solutions for vertiports and regional airports that cannot afford existing surveillance technologies. This includes:

mmWave radar: Assessment and machine learning applied to radar data obtained with measurements in airfield. Research shall consider the output of project NewSense.

5G new radio (NR): Use of 5G signals for airport traffic management (e.g., positioning, line of sight detection). Research shall consider the output of project NewSense. Note that there is on-going work under project ANTENNAE.

Potential enhancements of ground infrastructure supporting augmentation of onboard navigation to increase its accuracy and resilience against GNSS degradation and supporting high integrity Autoland.

High-resolution video images as a "low cost" alternative means of surveillance for airports and vertiports.

These technologies are dual-use civil-military.

CNS capabilities for U-space, UAS, and military integration: This includes:

Navigation solutions based on 5G (or other means) for drone operations in urban areas.

Surveillance needs for drones, proposing potential solutions based on 5G (or other means).

Definition of U-space requirements for communication infrastructure for drones.

U-space GNSS: Expansion of navigation infrastructure utilizing GNSS sources capable of processing multiple constellations and/or integrating SBAS or RTK augmentation.

Research shall avoid duplication with on-going activities under the scope of European Defence Agency (EDA).

E-conspicuity solutions for U-space: Integration of other e-conspicuity solutions for U-Space, such as ADS-L over 866MHz (TACAN) or over Telecom networks. Coverage must extend to very low airspace volumes, as well as small targets with reduced radar cross section (RCS).

Integration of drones and crewed aircraft in defined shared airspace geozones: Development of a concept for a U-space service allowing the integrated operation of drones and crewed aircraft, focusing first on integration of drones with crewed VFR aircraft. The research may build on previous work on pre-departure deconfliction and should define the separation between drone and VFR operating zones.

U-space services for certified (crewed or uncrewed) aircraft: Investigation of the potential benefits of U-space concepts for certified aircraft, with a first candidate service being the U-space traffic information service. Proposals may address U-space services other than the traffic information service.

The following topics are available for funding:

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA1-1: HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 20,000,000, Contributions: EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA2-1: HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 14,000,000, Contributions: EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 7,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-1: HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 93,000,000, Contributions: EUR 9,000,000 to EUR 31,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 3

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-2: HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 20,000,000, Contributions: EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-1: HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 24,000,000, Contributions: EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-2: HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 6,000,000, Contributions: EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 3,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-1, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-2, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-3: HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 30,000,000, Contributions: EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 6,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1 for each topic

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-1, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-2, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-3: HORIZON JU Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 20,000,000, Contributions: EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1 for each topic

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-1: HORIZON JU Coordination and Support Actions, Budget: EUR 2,000,000, Contributions: EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 2,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-2: HORIZON JU Coordination and Support Actions, Budget: EUR 1,000,000, Contributions: EUR 500,000 to EUR 1,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1

General conditions for participation include:

Admissibility Conditions: As described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Proposal page limits and layout: As described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

Eligible Countries: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Note that some non-EU/non-Associated Countries have specific provisions for funding.

Other Eligible Conditions: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. The call is subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.

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

Evaluation and award:

Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds: Described in subsection 2.5 of the BAWP 2024-2025. Weighting per criteria: Excellence (40%), Impact (40%), Implementation (20%).

Submission and evaluation processes: Described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The evaluation committee may include representatives of EU institutions and agencies. Grants will be awarded to applications that are highly ranked and meet the threshold, ensuring a balanced portfolio.

Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: Described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Legal and financial set-up: Described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes, with exceptions including a 70% funding rate for all beneficiaries, eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum, and additional dissemination and exploitation obligations.

Additional obligations include:

Beneficiaries must share relevant results with other grants awarded under the same call on a royalty-free basis.

Beneficiaries must make available for reuse under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory conditions all relevant results generated, through a well-defined mechanism using a trusted repository.

If the purpose of the action is related to standardisation, beneficiaries must grant a non-exclusive licence to the results royalty-free.

If working on linked actions, beneficiaries must ensure mutual access to the background and results of ongoing and closed linked actions.

Grants awarded under this topic will be linked to calls HORIZON-SESAR-2022-DES-IR-01 and HORIZON-SESAR-2022-DES-ER-01. A collaboration agreement is required.

The maximum project duration is 36 months.

The call documents include: SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Bi-Annual Work Programme (BAWP) 2024-2025 - Annex III, application form templates, evaluation form templates, Model Grant Agreements (MGA), call-specific instructions, and additional documents such as the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Multi-Annual Work Programme (MAWP) 2022-2031 and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

This SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking call represents a significant opportunity for research and innovation projects aimed at advancing the integration of drones and other aircraft into the European airspace. It focuses on improving communication, navigation, and surveillance technologies, as well as extending the U-space ecosystem to accommodate a wider range of aircraft and operational scenarios. The call encourages proposals that are aligned with the European ATM Master Plan and contribute to the development of safe, efficient, and sustainable air traffic management solutions. By addressing key challenges such as low-altitude operations, vertiport CNS solutions, and the integration of military and civilian airspace, this call aims to foster innovation and collaboration in the aviation industry. The lump sum funding model and the emphasis on dissemination and exploitation of results further incentivize projects to deliver tangible and impactful outcomes.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of the Horizon Europe program and the SESAR Joint Undertaking, eligible applicants are likely to include a mix of research organizations, universities, industry (including SMEs and large enterprises), and other relevant stakeholders in the air traffic management and aviation sectors. The call for proposals mentions collaboration agreements, suggesting that consortia are expected.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the "Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]" designation. There are also Horizon JU Research and Innovation Actions and Horizon JU Coordination and Support Actions.

Consortium Requirement: A collaboration agreement is required, suggesting that a consortium of multiple applicants is expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that the opportunity is primarily targeted towards entities within the EU and associated countries, as is typical for Horizon Europe programs. The text mentions "non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding," implying that there are mechanisms for some third-country participation.

Target Sector: The program targets the air traffic management (ATM) sector, with a specific focus on U-space, which is the framework for managing drone traffic. It also encompasses general aviation, rotorcraft, and other related areas. Specific technologies and areas of interest include CNS (Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance) capabilities, mobile networks (LTE/4G/5G), mmWave radar, 5G new radio (NR), GNSS, and e-conspicuity solutions.

Mentioned Countries: The text does not explicitly mention specific countries. However, it refers to the European Union (EU) and associated countries, as well as "non-EU/non-Associated Countries" (third countries).

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the specific action type. The call includes both Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), suggesting that projects can range from research and development to demonstration and validation. Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) are also included, which suggests that some projects may focus on networking, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary significantly depending on the specific topic and action type. The budget overview provides the following ranges:
HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions:
4,000,000 to 10,000,000 EUR
2,000,000 to 7,000,000 EUR
9,000,000 to 31,000,000 EUR
5,000,000 to 10,000,000 EUR
5,000,000 to 12,000,000 EUR
1,000,000 to 3,000,000 EUR
3,000,000 to 6,000,000 EUR
HORIZON JU Innovation Actions:
2,000,000 to 5,000,000 EUR
HORIZON JU Coordination and Support Actions:
500,000 to 1,000,000 EUR
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: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

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

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

Summary: This is a Horizon Europe program call under the Digital European Sky Industrial Research 02 (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02), focusing on extending the U-space ecosystem and enhancing CNS capabilities for drones and other aircraft. The call encompasses various research and innovation actions, as well as coordination and support actions, with a wide range of funding amounts available. Projects should align with the European ATM Master Plan and contribute to increased traffic situation awareness, integration of drones and crewed aircraft, and the development of low-cost CNS solutions. Collaboration agreements are required, and the geographic focus is primarily on EU and associated countries, with some possibilities for third-country participation. The call emphasizes the use of technologies like LTE/4G/5G networks, mmWave radar, 5G new radio, and GNSS to improve air traffic management and enable new applications for drones and other aircraft. The maximum project duration is 36 months, and eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.