Next generation testing capabilities in strategic EU wind tunnels

The grant opportunity HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-08 aims to enhance testing capabilities in strategic EU wind tunnels and is part of Horizon Europe’s Cluster 5, focusing on Climate, Energy, and Mobility. This initiative is designed to support research and development in renewable energy technologies and other related sectors.

Eligible applicants generally include research institutions, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large enterprises involved in energy-related R&D activities. These applicants must be based in EU member states or associated countries, although specific consortium requirements are not explicitly stated in the raw data. Typically, research and innovation actions (RIA) under Horizon Europe often involve consortia, especially for projects requiring collaboration across different countries.

The funding type for this opportunity is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant. The total funding available is around €15 million, but individual project amounts may vary depending on the specifics of each application. The application type is categorized as an open call with a single-stage submission process. The deadline for submissions is September 4, 2025.

Geographically, the grant is open to applicants from EU member states, European Economic Area countries, and other associated nations. The primary target sector encompasses energy and mobility, specifically focused on wind energy technologies and applications. The project stage is primarily in the development or validation phase.

There is no explicit co-funding requirement mentioned, which is typical for lump-sum grants. Funding amounts for different topics range broadly, with a general expectation that successful projects will typically receive between €1 million and €5 million, with some projects potentially qualifying for more than €5 million.

The success rates for applications are unclear, but Horizon Europe grants are usually competitive, suggesting a range of approximately 10% to 39%. The grant aims to foster advancements in climate-neutral aviation technology through improvements in testing infrastructure and methodologies, aligning with the European Union’s broader climate goals.

In summary, this funding opportunity seeks to develop next-generation wind tunnel testing capabilities, supporting projects within the realm of climate-neutral aviation and renewable energy technologies. It emphasizes collaboration among participants and aims to modernize infrastructure to facilitate advancements across the sector.

This EU funding opportunity focuses on advancing testing capabilities for climate-neutral aviation through the Horizon Europe program. The goal is to enhance European Research Infrastructures, particularly wind tunnels, to support the development of transformative airframe and propulsion technologies.

The expected outcomes include advancements in: Airframe transformative technologies, including airframe-propulsion integration; High aspect ratio and/or highly flexible unfuelled wing; Distributed hybrid/electric propulsion; Airframe and propulsion aeroacoustics; Further advancements of experimental simulation capabilities required for novel low-emission aircraft towards reducing further the lead times.

The scope emphasizes critical technologies requiring updates to EU testing capabilities, specifically wind tunnels, and includes new instrumentation, testing procedures, and digital tools. It aligns with the Horizon Europe Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, focusing on airframe and propulsion technologies like advanced propulsion architectures, distributed hybrid/electric propulsion, and high aspect ratio wings.

Projects should align with the Fly the Green Deal vision and 2050 climate neutral aviation objectives, seeking synergies with EU and national projects. Collaboration among testing facilities is encouraged, requiring defined interfaces, common architectures, and data exchange formats.

The general conditions for admissibility, eligibility, financial and operational capacity, exclusion, evaluation, award, and legal/financial setup are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum.

Application forms and model grant agreements are available in the Submission System. Additional documents include Horizon Europe Work Programmes, Programme Guide, Framework Programme decisions, EU Financial Regulation, and guidelines on lump sum contributions, legal entity validation, and grant agreements.

The call includes various topics with different budgets and action types, such as Innovation Actions (IA), Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). The opening date for submissions is May 6, 2025, and the deadline is September 4, 2025.

Specific funding opportunities include:

HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-01: Innovation Actions with a budget of 20,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-02: Innovation Actions with a budget of 10,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-03: Innovation Actions with a budget of 5,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-04: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 7,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-05: Innovation Actions with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-06: Innovation Actions with a budget of 5,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-07: Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of 2,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-08: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 15,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-10: Innovation Actions with a budget of 22,500,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-11: Innovation Actions with a budget of 15,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-12: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 4,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-13: Innovation Actions with a budget of 4,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-14: Innovation Actions with a budget of 5,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-15: Innovation Actions with a budget of 7,500,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-16: Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of 2,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-18: Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of 1,600,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-19: Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of 2,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-01: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-02: Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of 4,500,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-11: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 10,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-12: Innovation Actions with a budget of 8,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 2 grants.

This funding opportunity is designed to bolster European research infrastructure and technological capabilities in aviation, specifically targeting climate neutrality. It seeks to foster innovation in wind tunnel technology and related testing methodologies to support the development of next-generation aircraft that align with the European Green Deal objectives. By encouraging collaboration and standardization, the EU aims to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable aviation sector.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant.

Consortium Requirement: The text suggests that a consortium may be required, especially when multiple testing facilities are involved. The call encourages projects to define and agree upon interfaces, common architectures, and common data exchange formats, implying collaboration among different entities. Therefore, a consortium is likely preferred, if not required, for projects involving multiple testing facilities.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is for 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," indicating that some third countries may also be eligible under specific conditions outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The program targets the climate, energy, and mobility sectors, with a specific focus on the aviation industry. It aims to advance technologies for next-generation climate-neutral aviation, including airframe and propulsion technologies, wind tunnels, and related testing capabilities.

Mentioned Countries: The text refers to EU member states, associated countries, and non-EU/non-associated countries (third countries) with specific provisions. No specific countries are named, but the geographic scope is primarily European, with potential participation from other countries under specific conditions.

Project Stage: The program supports both Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), suggesting that it covers a range of project stages from research and development to demonstration and validation. The emphasis on advancing critical technologies and updating testing capabilities indicates a focus on projects that are at least in the development or validation stage.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call. The budget overview lists several topics (HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-01 to HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-12) with budgets ranging from EUR 1,600,000 to EUR 22,500,000. The indicative number of grants per topic ranges from 1 to 2.

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 single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text.

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

Summary:

This Horizon Europe Cluster 5 call focuses on developing next-generation testing capabilities for climate-neutral aviation, particularly in strategic EU wind tunnels. The call aims to support projects that advance critical technologies and update testing infrastructure to meet the objectives of the Fly the Green Deal vision and the 2050 climate-neutral aviation goals. The scope includes airframe and propulsion transformative technologies, advanced propulsion architectures, and the development of new instrumentation, testing procedures, and digital tools.

The call is structured around several topics, each with a specific budget and indicative number of grants. These topics include both Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), as well as Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), indicating a broad range of activities are eligible for funding. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the application process is a single-stage submission.

Eligible applicants include a variety of organizations, such as universities, research institutes, SMEs, and large enterprises, primarily from EU member states and associated countries, with potential participation from third countries under specific conditions. The call encourages collaboration and the development of common standards and interfaces, suggesting that consortia are preferred, especially for projects involving multiple testing facilities.

In essence, this call is a strategic investment in the future of climate-neutral aviation, aiming to enhance European research infrastructure and promote the development and validation of innovative technologies through advanced testing capabilities.