Next generation aircraft autonomy technologies for cockpit / pilot assistance applications

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled HORIZON-CL5-2025-03-Two-Stage-D5-09 focuses on advancing next-generation aircraft autonomy technologies for cockpit and pilot assistance applications. This initiative aims to enhance safety, efficiency, and digitalization in aviation through innovative research and development. The total budget for this program is 7 million EUR, with two projects expected to receive funding, averaging around 3.5 million EUR each.

Eligible applicants include a diverse range of legal entities such as universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises, large companies, and technology developers focused on areas like artificial intelligence and autonomy systems. Specific provisions exist for non-EU/non-Associated countries to participate under particular funding arrangements. Proposals require a consortium approach involving partners from at least three EU or associated countries, emphasizing collaboration.

The funding provided is a lump sum grant meant to cover eligible project costs. The application process consists of two stages: the first deadline for outline proposals is September 4, 2025, and the second for full proposals is April 14, 2026. The project scope includes developing technology that supports new cockpit capabilities, enhancing human-system interaction, and improving operational efficiencies while ensuring alignment with the European Aviation Safety Agency's roadmap regarding safety and artificial intelligence.

Projects should aim to achieve advancements in cockpit safety through assistance systems, contribute to the roadmap for cockpit digitalization, and demonstrate developments up to Technology Readiness Level 4. They must also integrate cyber-resilient technologies suitable for single-pilot operations, focusing on the development of tools for simulation, AI models, and cost-benefit analysis.

Success rates are competitive, though not explicitly stated, reflecting the typical dynamics of Horizon Europe applications. Although co-funding requirements are not specified, they are generally common in such programs. Guidelines and criteria for the proposal submission process are detailed in Horizon Europe's Work Programme General Annexes.

Ultimately, this grant represents a significant opportunity for entities engaged in innovative aviation projects that align with the EU's objectives for sustainable and advanced transport technologies, particularly in the field of cockpit automation and support systems.

The Horizon Europe program offers a research and innovation action grant, specifically HORIZON-CL5-2025-03-Two-Stage-D5-09, focused on next generation aircraft autonomy technologies for cockpit and pilot assistance applications. This is a two-stage submission process. The total budget allocated for this topic is 7,000,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 3,500,000 EUR to be awarded to approximately two projects. The call opened on May 6, 2025, with the first-stage deadline on September 4, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time, and the second-stage deadline on April 14, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of the projects should contribute to the European civil aircraft cockpit technology roadmaps on crew assistance, automation, and autonomy. The projects should aim to achieve at least two of the following: increasing safety in cockpits through new assistance systems and functionalities, contributing to the roadmap of cockpit digitalization and autonomy by conceiving new cockpit capabilities for enhanced human-system interaction, and increasing efficiency of cockpit performance by reducing size, weight, power consumption, total lifecycle costs, and production times.

The scope of the projects involves developing technology bricks for next-generation digital and automated aircraft cockpits. These technology bricks should align with the aircraft concepts proposed in the updated Horizon Europe Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and potentially exploit lessons learned from the H2020-CS2 Large Aircraft Disruptive Cockpit Demonstrator. Synergies with Horizon Europe SESAR Single Person Operations projects are also encouraged. The developed technologies should be cyber-resilient, controllable by a single pilot without an on-board co-pilot, and aligned with the needs of future aircraft generations and operations. The projects should consider the development of simulation tools, use of artificial intelligence models, human factors, and cost-benefit analysis of technical solutions. Interfacing with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on safety, new testing and certification processes, and alignment with the EASA AI roadmap is also important, if applicable. The focus is on developing new technologies up to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4, rather than on integration and demonstration.

The general conditions for this grant include admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout, as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Other eligible conditions require projects using satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and timing data to utilize Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are detailed in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, and the indicative timeline are described in Annexes D and F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. Legal and financial aspects of the grants involve lump sum contributions as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021, with eligible costs described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions for this grant are not applicable. The application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the standard application form for HE RIA IA Stage 1. Evaluation form templates, such as the standard evaluation form for HE RIA, IA, and CSA Stage 1, will be used with necessary adaptations. Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, call-specific instructions, and guidance on lump sums. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2025 sections on General Introduction, Climate, Energy and Mobility, and General Annexes, as well as the HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, the decision authorizing the use of lump sum contributions, rules for legal entity validation, LEAR appointment and financial capacity assessment, the EU Grants AGA, and the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Terms and Conditions, and Privacy Statement.

Partner search announcements are available for collaboration on this topic, and LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests. To start the submission process, applicants should access the Electronic Submission Service and select the appropriate type of action and model grant agreement.

For support, applicants can consult the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points, Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, and the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment.

In summary, this Horizon Europe grant opportunity aims to foster research and innovation in next-generation aircraft cockpit technologies, focusing on enhancing safety, increasing automation, and improving efficiency. It seeks to develop new technology bricks that align with European aviation roadmaps and address the challenges of future aircraft operations, with a particular emphasis on single-pilot operations and cyber resilience. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and the application process involves a two-stage submission with specific guidelines and requirements detailed in the program documents.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is open to various legal entities eligible under Horizon Europe, including but not limited to universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The specific eligibility criteria are detailed in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. 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.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) provided as a lump sum. 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 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025).

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the nature of Research and Innovation Actions within Horizon Europe often implies or benefits from a consortium approach, as evidenced by the partner search announcements and the encouragement of synergies with other projects.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. The opportunity 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.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily aerospace, focusing on civil aviation. Specific areas of interest include cockpit technology, automation, autonomy, human-machine interface, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity within the context of next-generation aircraft.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions EU member states and associated countries. It also refers to non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have made specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on the development of new technologies up to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4. The emphasis is on research and development rather than integration and demonstration.

Funding Amount: The total budget for the topic HORIZON-CL5-2025-03-Two-Stage-D5-09 is EUR 7,000,000. The indicative number of grants is 2, suggesting an average funding of around EUR 3,500,000 per project.

Application Type: The application type is a two-stage open call. The first deadline is September 4, 2025, and the second is April 14, 2026.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive monetary support in the form of a lump sum grant to cover eligible costs.

Application Stages: The application process involves two stages, as indicated by the "two-stage" deadline model.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants (2) compared to the likely high number of applications suggests a competitive environment.

Co-funding Requirement: The provided text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-CL5-2025-03-Two-Stage-D5-09, aims to advance next-generation aircraft autonomy technologies for cockpit and pilot assistance applications. The call falls under the Horizon Europe Cluster 5, focusing on climate, energy, and mobility. The primary goal is to enhance the safety, efficiency, and digitalization of aircraft cockpits through research and innovation actions. Projects funded under this call are expected to contribute to the European civil aircraft cockpit technology roadmaps, particularly in crew assistance, automation, and autonomy. The scope includes developing new technology bricks aligned with the Horizon Europe Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and leveraging lessons from previous initiatives like the H2020-CS2 Large Aircraft Disruptive Cockpit Demonstrator. The call emphasizes the development of cyber-resilient technologies that support single-pilot operations without an on-board human co-pilot. This involves the use of simulation tools, artificial intelligence models, human factors analysis, and cost-benefit analysis. The projects should focus on technologies up to TRL 4, prioritizing research and development over integration and demonstration. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries with specific funding provisions. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the application process involves a two-stage submission. The total budget for the topic is EUR 7,000,000, with an expected two grants awarded, averaging EUR 3,500,000 per project. The call encourages collaboration and synergy with other relevant projects and initiatives, such as Horizon Europe SESAR Single Person Operations projects and alignment with the EASA AI roadmap.