Increased automation assistance for the pilot for ATM tasks

The HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-1 grant opportunity, titled "Increased automation assistance for the pilot for ATM tasks," is a component of the HORIZON Call Digital European Sky Industrial Research under the Horizon Europe program. It is designated as a Research and Innovation Action with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant financing model. The grant is open for submissions with a deadline of September 16, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

Eligible applicants primarily include research organizations, public entities, and non-profit institutions, with implications for universities and SMEs involved in air traffic management. The funding is structured as a grant, specifically a lump sum, covering various costs associated with the project. While no explicit consortium requirement is stated, collaborative projects are common within Horizon Europe.

The geographic scope includes EU member states, EEA countries, and Horizon Europe-associated nations. The target sector for this grant is transportation, particularly focusing on air traffic management and automation technologies. The expected project stages range from development to validation, driven by advancements in automation and pilot assistance systems.

Although the exact funding amount is not specified, typical lump sum amounts within similar Horizon projects can range from approximately one million to five million euros. The application process involves a single-stage submission, and co-funding is not required as lump-sum grants generally cover up to 100% of eligible costs.

Key objectives of this call focus on enhancing the development of single pilot operations, improving automation assistance for pilots in air traffic management, and integrating artificial intelligence to support pilot decision-making in critical situations. The grant aims to further research into new sensors, aircraft architectures, and advanced human-machine interfaces to ensure safety and efficiency in air traffic management.

Proposals must align with ongoing projects and confirm adherence to specific safety and procedural standards. The selection process will evaluate applications based on excellence, impact, and implementation feasibility. The project duration may last up to 36 months, requiring collaboration among European entities to advance the automation of air traffic management systems in line with SESAR's strategic objectives.

The HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-1 call, titled "Increased automation assistance for the pilot for ATM tasks," is part of the HORIZON Call Digital European Sky Industrial Research 02 (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02) program. It is a HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The call is currently open for submission with a single-stage deadline. The opening date was April 1, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is September 16, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome of this call is to significantly advance development actions related to single pilot operations (SiPO) and increased automation assistance for pilots in Air Traffic Management (ATM) tasks. This includes new sensors and aircraft architectures for SiPO and highly automated operations, as well as improved flight-deck Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and procedures for Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and voice-less technology.

The scope of the call encompasses a range of Research and Innovation (R&I) needs, including but not limited to:

Single Pilot Operations (SiPO):

Research into the impacts on air/ground procedures for all actors (air traffic controllers, pilots, airline ground operators) in normal, abnormal, and emergency SiPO situations, ensuring safety and efficiency.

Development of airborne avionics for SiPO related to ATM tasks, such as flight management systems, surveillance functions, and autonomous navigation systems. These systems should automate routine tasks, allowing the pilot to focus on critical operations.

Minimizing the impact on ATC operators and their tools, as well as on ATC-cockpit communications.

Mitigating risks associated with increased errors in ATM and navigation due to the absence of crosschecks in SiPO, including delays in implementing ATC instructions.

Addressing the management of pilot incapacitation emergencies from an ATM perspective.

If AI-based tools are used, research should address workload, decision-making, and adherence to procedures, including crosschecks between the pilot and AI.

Research may consider mainline, commuter, and/or business aircraft, with operational use cases potentially addressing:

Operation on the ground at complex airports.

Operation on the ground at secondary airports.

Low visibility operations with CAT II and/or CATIII.

Operations at complex TMAs with destination/origin the main airport or a secondary airport.

Ongoing work in projects SOLO, DARWIN, and RESPONSE should be noted.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Enhance Flight Crew Capabilities:

Investigating how AI can support pilots in complex and critical situations, improving safety through cooperation and collaboration with automation.

Focusing on exploiting high levels of automation for non-critical ATM tasks and optimizing the HMI for essential tasks during taxi-out, descent, approach, and landing.

Dynamically allocating tasks between human pilots and onboard automation.

Developing AI-powered applications to support pilots during low workload situations, such as engaging pilot attention and alerting them to unexpected events.

Encompassing all pilot tasks related to ATM, including navigation and taxi on the airport surface, with a focus on managing high pilot workload during descent, approach, and landing to enable the use of CPDLC with push-to-load in the TMA.

Developing certifiable algorithms based on reinforcement learning to aid pilot decision-making, considering factors like system failures, weather, and wind.

Demonstrating how technology can support pilots, increase human capabilities, reduce workload, and assess the impact on the human role.

Addressing methods and approaches for safe human-AI teaming leading to certifiability.

These applications should be relevant to the transition to single pilot operations. Ongoing work in projects JARVIS and DARWIN should be noted.

Advanced On-Board Systems and Procedures for Highly Automated ATM Operations:

Developing on-board avionics and procedures, including flight crew digital assistants for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, to support highly automated ATM applications.

Enabling higher levels of automation through human-pilot teaming with digital assistants and human oversight.

Research elements include:

Improved on-board interface for ATM communications (voice), reducing flight crew workload in managing complex CPDLC clearances and supporting their correct execution.

Use of CPDLC in lower levels, including tactical uplink of 2D route revision, vertical clearances, clearance for approach, clearance to land, clearance for take-off, etc.

On-board systems for automatic route negotiation between aircraft systems and ATM.

Development of airborne digital assistants for the flight crew in support of ATM tasks to reduce flight crew workload and ensure safety levels are maintained when operating in a more complex environment.

Research may include: support for FF-ICE/R2 negotiations, support for taxi operations in large airports with complex lay-outs (including CPDLC taxi clearances and support for their on-board implementation), support for sustainable taxi operations (single engine taxi or with sustainable taxi vehicles), support for wake-energy retrieval operations, support for wake vortex encounter avoidance, support for taxi in low-visibility conditions (addressing in particular expeditious vacation of the runway), etc.

Development of ATS B2 Revision B.

Proposals must demonstrate relevance to ATM; cockpit automation development not relevant to ATM is out of scope.

Air-ground integrated validation activities integrating ground and airborne prototypes are beneficial.

Flight-Deck Support for ATS B2 CPDLC v2/v4 on the Airport Surface:

Developing the flight-deck (HMI, digital assistants, avionics) to enhance CPDLC use on the airport surface.

Enhancing D-TAXI capabilities to allow CPDLC uplink of taxi clearances while taxiing and uplink of revised departure routes shortly before take-off.

Departure routes could be standard instrument departures (SIDs) or custom routes with vertical constraints.

Increasing flexibility to uplink departure routes shortly before take-off with vertical constraints to ensure separation and efficient vertical profiles.

Supporting tactical uplink of departure routes with potential vertical constraints.

Including Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) applications supporting ATS-B2 clearances and/or ADS-C data downlink.

CPDLC clearances should load directly into the Flight Management System (FMS), with EFB applications supporting flight crew management of CPDLC clearances.

Air-ground integrated validation activities integrating ground and airborne prototypes are beneficial.

Automation of QNH Transmission Between Ground System and Aircraft:

Automating QNH transmission and checks between ground equipment and avionics to reduce workload and prevent safety incidents caused by incorrect altimeter settings.

Topic Updates:

April 10, 2025: SESAR 3 Q&A Document is available.

April 1, 2025: The submission session is available.

General Conditions:

Admissibility Conditions: As 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 in the Submission System.

Eligible Countries: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries are detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

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 as described in Annex C.

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 are described in subsection 2.5 of the BAWP 2024-2025.

Weighting per criteria: Excellence (40%), Impact (40%), Implementation (20%).

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 across work areas.

Indicative Timeline: As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Legal and Financial Set-Up: As described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes, with the following exceptions:

A funding rate of 70% applies to all beneficiaries.

Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum.

Beneficiaries have additional dissemination obligations, including sharing results with other grants under the same call.

Beneficiaries have additional exploitation obligations, including making results available for reuse and granting non-exclusive licenses for standardisation purposes.

Grants are 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.

Call Documents:

SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Bi-Annual Work Programme (BAWP) 2024-2025 - Annex III

Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) - Part A

SESAR 3 application form (RIA, IA) - Part B

Detailed budget table (HE LS)

Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)

Lump Sum MGA

Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"

Additional Documents:

SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Multi-Annual Work Programme (MAWP) 2022-2031

SESAR 3 Project Handbook

SESAR 3 Q&A Document

HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 1. General Introduction

HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility

HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 12. Missions

HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 13. General Annexes

Council Regulation 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021 establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe (SBA)

HE Programme Guide

HE Framework Programme 2021/695

HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764

EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509

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

Budget Overview:

The budget for HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA1-1 is 20,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 4,000,000 to 10,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.

The budget for HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA2-1 is 14,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 2,000,000 to 7,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.

The budget for HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-1 is 93,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 9,000,000 to 31,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.

The budget for HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-2 is 20,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.

The budget for HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-1 is 24,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 5,000,000 to 12,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.

The budget for HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-2 is 6,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.

The budget for HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-3, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-1 and HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-2 is 30,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant for each.

The budget for HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-2, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-3 and HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-1 is 20,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant for each.

The budget for HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-1 is 2,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant.

The budget for HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-2 is 1,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant.

Partner Search:

There are 57 searches for partners to collaborate on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests.

To submit a proposal, click the submission button corresponding to the action type and MGA type. Access existing drafts by logging into the Funding & Tenders Portal.

The SESAR 3 JU Call Helpdesk can be contacted at info-call@sesarju.eu. The Online Manual provides guidance on proposal submission and grant management. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide offers detailed guidance on the program's structure, budget, and priorities. The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ answers common questions. The Research Enquiry Service addresses general questions about European research. National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance and assistance, and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) offers advice to businesses, especially SMEs. The IT Helpdesk assists with technical issues, and the European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks advise on standardisation. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment outline researcher roles and responsibilities. Partner Search helps find partner organizations.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call focuses on advancing research and innovation in air traffic management, particularly in the areas of single pilot operations, AI-enhanced flight crew capabilities, advanced on-board systems, and automated QNH transmission. It seeks to improve safety, efficiency, and automation in air traffic management, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and alignment with the European ATM Master Plan. The call provides funding opportunities for research and innovation actions, coordination and support actions, and encourages the development and validation of new technologies and procedures to enhance the role of pilots and air traffic controllers in future ATM operations.

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 focus on research and innovation actions (RIA), innovation actions (IA) and coordination and support actions (CSA), eligible applicants are likely to include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and development activities in the air traffic management (ATM) sector. The mention of "air traffic ATCOs, pilots, and ground operators of the airline flight operations centres" suggests that these entities or organizations representing them could also be eligible.

Funding Type: The funding types include Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). The primary financial mechanism is grants, with eligible costs taking the form of lump sums.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a collaboration agreement, implying that a consortium of multiple applicants is necessary.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries. 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," suggesting that some third countries may also be eligible.

Target Sector: The target sector is air traffic management (ATM), specifically focusing on the Digital European Sky and related industrial research. This includes areas such as single pilot operations (SiPO), airborne avionics, flight management systems, air-ground procedures, AI-based tools, flight deck human-machine interfaces (HMI), controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC), avionics, and automation of QNH transmission.

Mentioned Countries: The text refers to "EU member states and associated countries" and "non-EU/non-Associated Countries," indicating a focus on European countries and associated countries within the Horizon Europe framework. No specific countries are explicitly named.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of projects ranges from research to innovation. The call includes Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), suggesting that projects can be at the research, development, validation, demonstration, or even early commercialization stages.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic and type of action (RIA, IA, or CSA). The contributions range from EUR 500,000 to EUR 31,000,000.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA1-1: EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA2-1: EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 7,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-1: EUR 9,000,000 to EUR 31,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-2: EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-1: EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 12,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-2: EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 3,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-1, WA5-2, WA5-3: EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 6,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-1, WA6-2, WA6-3: EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-1: EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 2,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-2: EUR 500,000 to EUR 1,000,000

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive funding in the form of lump sum grants to cover eligible costs. There are also additional dissemination and exploitation obligations.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the text indicates that "grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to those that are the highest ranked within topics within the same work area, provided that the application attains the threshold," suggesting that success depends on both ranking and meeting a minimum threshold.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement. However, the funding rate is 70%, implying that beneficiaries need to cover the remaining 30% of the eligible costs through other sources.

Summary: This is a Horizon Europe funding opportunity under the Digital European Sky Industrial Research 02 (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02) call, managed by the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking. It aims to advance research and innovation in air traffic management (ATM), focusing on increasing automation assistance for pilots and supporting single-pilot operations (SiPO). The call encompasses various topics, including the development of airborne avionics, AI-based tools, improved flight deck interfaces, and automated QNH transmission systems. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, SMEs, and other organizations capable of conducting relevant research and development activities. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, with a funding rate of 70%. A collaboration agreement is required, indicating that projects should be carried out by consortia. The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of September 16, 2025. The call seeks to improve the safety and efficiency of air traffic management through advanced technological solutions and enhanced automation, aligning with the European ATM Master Plan.