Highly automated ATM for all airspace users

The funding opportunity HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02 focuses on enhancing highly automated air traffic management systems to improve efficiency and accessibility for various airspace users. It is part of the Horizon Europe Programme and includes the following critical details:

Eligible applicants include research organizations, public entities, and industrial partners involved in aviation innovation. This likely encompasses small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, and public-private partnerships, reflecting Horizon Europe’s emphasis on collaborative research and development.

The funding is provided as a lump sum grant under Horizon Europe, characterized by fixed financial contributions for approved projects.

A consortium is required for this grant, as it is part of a Horizon Joint Undertaking Research and Innovation Action, typically necessitating partnerships among at least three entities from different EU or associated countries.

The geographic eligibility for beneficiaries includes EU member states, countries of the European Economic Area, and other nations associated with Horizon Europe.

Target sectors for this funding encompass transportation and aviation, particularly focusing on air traffic management and automation technologies.

While specific countries are not mentioned, the eligibility aligns with those in the EU and associated regions.

The grant aims at research and development stages, supporting projects that validate and demonstrate new air traffic management solutions.

Funding amounts are not explicitly specified but typically range widely, with Horizon Europe lump sum grants for industrial research often varying from approximately €500,000 to €31 million depending on the project area.

The application process is a single-stage open call, with proposals due by September 15, 2025.

Nature of support includes financial contributions offered as a lump sum to successful applicants.

Success rates are not mentioned directly, but Horizon Europe RIA projects tend to have average success rates ranging between 10% and 39%.

While co-funding is generally expected, it may not be required for this call since the lump sum grant is designed to cover costs.

In summary, this grant provides an opportunity for collaboration on advanced air traffic management systems focused on automation, aiming for innovative solutions that enhance airspace safety and efficiency. It encourages partnerships among European entities and addresses the pressing need for modernizing aviation infrastructure to accommodate a range of new airspace users, including unmanned aerial vehicles. The program invites proposals that align with the objectives detailed in the European ATM Master Plan, fostering innovation and research in this critical sector.

The content describes a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically the Digital European Sky Industrial Research 02 (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02) call. The call focuses on "Highly automated ATM for all airspace users," aiming to advance development actions related to performance-based CNS enablers, assured navigation, alternative positioning, navigation and timing (A-PNT), robustness against jamming and spoofing, electronic conspicuity, sense and avoid, and enhanced distance measuring equipment (eDME). These technologies are intended to facilitate the integration of advanced airborne automation and future ATC platforms, while also accommodating intelligent autonomous mobility (IAM) and interfacing with U-space.

The scope of the call includes a list of Research and Innovation (R&I) needs, which are illustrative and not prescriptive. Proposals can include other research elements if they contribute to the expected outcomes and align with the development priorities defined in the European ATM Master Plan. Key research areas include:

1. Development of on-board non-cooperative sensors in support of detect and avoid (DAA): This involves developing on-board sensors for crewed and uncrewed aircraft to detect intruders or obstacles, enabling a DAA capability. Non-cooperative sensors mentioned are electro-optical (EO) sensors, thermal/infrared (IR) systems, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems, radar and acoustic sensors, and cameras. Research should define an effective DAA architecture, validate DAA capabilities in dense airspace, determine the technical feasibility of detecting non-cooperative intruders, define operational procedures for pilots, integrate military operations, and address avionics certification and regulatory aspects. The cost-effective, non-collaborative DAA solution developed by the IRINA project should be considered. These technologies are civil/military dual use.

2. Enhanced automation support for space-launch management: This involves developing enhanced procedures and supporting tools for managing space-launch operations at the NM, local ATFM unit, and ATC levels. It includes space data integration from Launch and Re-entry Operators (LRO), Launch and Re-entry site operators (LRSO), and STM with ATM for specific operational scenarios, contingency/emergency management, and required external interfaces. Project ECHO 2 is noted as ongoing research in this area.

3. IFR RPAS integration in airspace classes D to E: This aims at fully integrating IFR RPAS in airspace classes D to E, covering all types of uncrewed AU. The research should address the impact on ATC of DAA systems, including a study of the compatibility of RWC alert thresholds and ATC separation processes. The safety case must consider the "work as done" for crewed IFR vs. VFR separation in Europe in classes D and E. The technological development of DAA systems is also in scope. Project IRINA SESAR solution 0380 is noted as ongoing work. Air-ground integrated validation activities are encouraged.

4. IFR RPAS integration in airspace classes F to G: This aims at fully integrating IFR RPAS in airspace classes F to G, covering all types of uncrewed AU. The research should assume that crewed IFR flight is allowed in class G, and the scope is to extend the concept to uncrewed IFR flights. The technological development of DAA systems is also in scope. Project IRINA solution 0380 is noted as ongoing work.

5. Safe integration of lower performance IFR RPAS in the European airspace: This addresses the need for future research on lower performance certified RPAS, particularly with regards to low size weight and power (SWaP). This includes smaller low-power DAA systems for integration in controlled and uncontrolled airspace, and smaller low-power IFR equipment. These technologies and concepts are civil-military dual-use. Air-ground integrated validation activities are encouraged.

6. Dual-frequency multi-constellation (DFMC) global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) based on satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) / aircraft-based augmentation system (ABAS) receivers: This research aims at developing DFMC GNSS/SBAS/ABAS receivers and additional avionics systems processing GPS and Galileo signals in L1/E1 and L5/E5. It includes considering architectural considerations, assessing transitional aspects, and exploiting synergies and complementarities between different augmentations. The aim is to deliver a more robust navigation performance solution including resilience to radio frequency interference (RFI) (jamming and spoofing).

7. High-altitude operations (HAO) GNSS and inertial sensors: This research area refers to the expansion of navigation infrastructure is necessary to meet the demands of high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS), supersonic and hypersonic aircraft, and space launches. This may involve the performance assessment of GNSS systems supplemented with inertial systems to serve as backup during temporary GNSS outages caused by high-speed plasma formation or space radiation effects.

8. Airborne-based alternative – Position, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT): This aims to develop alternate position navigation and timing (A-PNT) solutions to enhance service resilience, availability, and continuity in situations where GNSS is subject to local or global outages. Research shall address different options for time synchronisation during GNSS outages. This research element includes the development to TRL6 of new A-PNT solutions that are aircraft-based, including but not restricted to radar-based navigation for approach phase and A-PNT for small aircraft and drones combining navigation data from multiple constellations with inertial measurement unit (IMU) based on atomic gyroscopes. The research may address the provision of an assured navigation by realization of the C-PNT solution onboard the aircraft, utilizing various sources for navigation (e.g., GNSS, INS, DME/DME (eDME), Mode N, etc.) and providing RFI resilience by jamming & spoofing detection and mitigation.

The call specifies several conditions and requirements:

Admissibility conditions are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Restrictions apply for the protection of European communication networks.
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in subsection 2.5 of the BAWP 2024-2025.
Submission and evaluation processes are 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 attain the threshold, ensuring a balanced portfolio.
Legal and financial aspects are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A funding rate of 70% applies to all beneficiaries.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.
Beneficiaries have additional dissemination and exploitation obligations.
Grants will be linked to calls HORIZON-SESAR-2022-DES-IR-01 and HORIZON-SESAR-2022-DES-ER-01.
A collaboration agreement is required.
The integration of a gender dimension is not mandatory.
The maximum project duration is 36 months.

Several call documents are specified, including the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Bi-Annual Work Programme (BAWP) 2024-2025, application form templates, evaluation form templates, model grant agreements, and call-specific instructions.

The call provides a budget overview for various work areas (WA) with specific contribution ranges and indicative numbers of grants. The opening date for submissions is April 1, 2025, and the deadline is September 16, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

Partner search announcements are available, and a collaboration agreement is required.

In summary, this SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking call aims to foster research and innovation in air traffic management, focusing on highly automated systems and the integration of various aircraft types, including RPAS and high-altitude aircraft. It seeks to enhance navigation, safety, and efficiency through the development and implementation of advanced technologies and procedures. The call encourages collaboration and the sharing of results to achieve the objectives of the European ATM Master Plan.

The HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02 call is a funding opportunity within the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting research and innovation in the Digital European Sky. It's all about making air traffic management (ATM) more automated and efficient for all kinds of aircraft, from traditional planes to drones and even spacecraft. The call is structured around several key areas, including developing better sensors for collision avoidance, improving navigation systems, and integrating drones safely into the airspace. The goal is to create a more robust, resilient, and environmentally friendly air transportation system that can handle the increasing complexity of modern air traffic. If you're an organization involved in aviation research, technology development, or air traffic management, this call could provide significant funding to support your projects and contribute to the future of European aviation.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the nature of the call, which includes research and innovation actions, innovation actions, and coordination and support actions, eligible applicants could include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other relevant organizations involved in air traffic management research and development.

Funding Type: The funding type includes grants for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

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

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated. However, it is implied that EU member states and associated countries are eligible. The text 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.

Target Sector: The target sector is air traffic management (ATM), with a focus on communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) enablers, integration of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), unmanned aircraft (AU), and unmanned traffic management (U-space). Specific areas include detect and avoid (DAA) systems, alternative positioning, navigation and timing (A-PNT), space-launch management, and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS).

Mentioned Countries: The text mentions "EU" and "non-EU countries".

Project Stage: The project stages range from research to innovation, with a focus on development actions and validation activities. The technology readiness level (TRL) is mentioned as TRL6 for some A-PNT solutions.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic and action type, ranging from €500,000 to €31,000,000.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA1-1: €4,000,000 to €10,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA2-1: €2,000,000 to €7,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-1: €9,000,000 to €31,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-2: €5,000,000 to €10,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-1: €5,000,000 to €12,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-2: €1,000,000 to €3,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-1, WA5-2, WA5-3: €3,000,000 to €6,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-1, WA6-2, WA6-3: €2,000,000 to €5,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-1: €1,000,000 to €2,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-2: €500,000 to €1,000,000

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 a lump sum grant.

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

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is required, as the funding rate is 70% of the eligible costs.

Summary:
This is a Horizon Europe program call under the Digital European Sky Industrial Research 02 (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02). It aims to advance highly automated air traffic management (ATM) for all airspace users, including crewed and uncrewed aircraft. The call focuses on research and innovation actions (RIA), innovation actions (IA), and coordination and support actions (CSA) related to communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) enablers. Key areas of interest include detect and avoid (DAA) systems, alternative positioning, navigation and timing (A-PNT) solutions, enhanced automation for space-launch management, integration of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). The program seeks to improve the robustness, safety, and efficiency of air traffic management while accommodating new types of airspace users and addressing challenges such as jamming and spoofing. The funding rate is 70% of eligible costs, with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum. A collaboration agreement is required, and the maximum project duration is 36 months. The call is open for submission with a deadline of September 16, 2025.