Noise reduction breakthroughs for new ultraefficient aircraft

This is a Horizon Europe funding opportunity under the call titled "Noise reduction breakthroughs for new ultraefficient aircraft," categorized under HORIZON-CL5-2027-04-Two-Stage. It involves Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and operates with a lump sum grant funding model. The planned opening date is December 15, 2026, with the first application deadline set for April 14, 2027, and the second stage deadline on October 7, 2027. The budget for this initiative is €5 million, with approximately two grants available, each providing up to €2.5 million.

Eligible applicants generally include research-oriented entities such as universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large enterprises capable of conducting innovative research. The geographical range includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some non-EU/non-associated countries under specific conditions outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

The project focuses on the transportation sector, specifically aerospace, aiming to develop and validate advanced numerical and experimental methodologies for predicting and mitigating aircraft noise, particularly for large passenger aircraft that employ open fan engine architectures and ultra-high bypass ratio designs. The area of research includes aero-acoustics, aerodynamics, advanced materials, and integrated noise reduction technologies.

The application process is conducted in two stages, where Stage 1 involves initial proposal submissions followed by an evaluation process. Only those proposals that pass this stage will proceed to Stage 2, requiring more detailed full proposals. Success rates for this opportunity are not explicitly defined but are anticipated to be competitive, given that only two grants will be awarded.

Funding is strictly financial in nature, disbursed as lump sums, thereby simplifying the administrative burden on recipients. Co-funding requirements are not stipulated, although certain costs may be covered under the lump sum model. Successful projects are expected to address various noise sources and develop methodologies for noise perception and mitigation.

Applicants are encouraged to reference the comprehensive guidelines provided in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes to navigate eligibility criteria, conditions for participation, and detailed evaluation processes. Overall, this initiative represents a significant investment in advancing sustainable technologies within the aviation industry, aiming to reduce noise pollution and improve the environmental impact of air travel.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically under the BATTERIES and MOBILITY section (HORIZON-CL5-2027-04-Two-Stage). The call is for HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and uses the HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The deadline model is two-stage. The planned opening date is 15 December 2026, with deadlines on 14 April 2027 (17:00:00 Brussels time) and 07 October 2027 (17:00:00 Brussels time).

The expected outcomes of the projects should contribute to: Airframe / cabin noise for new aircraft design; Engine noise sources and installation effects; Noise perception/annoyance and mitigation methodologies.

The scope of the call is to deliver advanced and validated numerical and experimental aero-acoustic methodologies for the noise prediction of new ultraefficient aircraft designs, primarily for large passenger aircraft with new open fan engine architectures and ultra-high by-pass ratio architectures. The research should reinforce fundamental understanding, fill gaps, and propose new/updated technologies towards enabling open fan designs and techno bricks for significantly reduced cabin noise. Emphasis is placed on existing/new experimental data and procedures, multi-disciplinary design and optimisation, aerodynamics, aeroacoustics and noise reduction integrated metamaterials/structures. Proposals may also provide better noise footprint assessments and better annoyance understanding and mitigation methodologies. The topic should build upon lessons learnt and gaps identified from H2020.CS2-LPA-01-D01 as well as complementing the projects resulted from HORIZON-CL5-2022-D5-01-12.

The general conditions include:

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries have specific provisions for funding. See the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions: If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

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

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: The granting authority may object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results up to 4 years after the action's end, as set out in Annex 5. Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal.

Specific conditions are Not applicable.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1).

Evaluation form templates will be used with adaptations, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1).

Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide.

Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the Lump Sum MGA.

Call-specific instructions include a Detailed budget table (HE LS) and guidance on "Lump sums - what do I need to know?".

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, 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, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

There are two topics listed under the Budget overview for the year 2027:

1. HORIZON-CL5-2027-04-Two-Stage-D2-07 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget of EUR 48,000,000, Two-stage, Opening date 2026-12-15, Deadlines 2027-04-14 and 2027-10-07, Indicative number of grants around 10, with an average contribution of EUR 4,800,000.

2. HORIZON-CL5-2027-04-Two-Stage-D5-09 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget of EUR 5,000,000, Two-stage, Opening date 2026-12-15, Deadlines 2027-04-14 and 2027-10-07, Indicative number of grants around 2, with an average contribution of EUR 2,500,000.

There is one partner search announcement. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header. There are no topic Q&As listed.

Support is available through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment, and Partner Search.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call focuses on noise reduction breakthroughs for new ultraefficient aircraft. It seeks proposals that advance numerical and experimental aero-acoustic methodologies to predict and mitigate noise from aircraft, particularly those with open fan engine architectures. The call is structured as a two-stage process with a lump sum funding model. The total budget is split between two topics, one focusing on broader research and innovation actions with a larger budget and more grants, and another with a smaller budget and fewer grants. The call encourages multidisciplinary approaches, experimental data, and the integration of new technologies like metamaterials. Applicants should consult the provided annexes, guidelines, and helpdesks for detailed information on eligibility, application procedures, and available support. The ultimate goal is to reduce aircraft noise and its impact on communities.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The mention of Enterprise Europe Network suggests that SMEs are particularly encouraged.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. 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.

Consortium Requirement: The need for a consortium is not explicitly stated, but the presence of a "Partner Search" function suggests that collaborative projects involving multiple applicants are possible and perhaps encouraged. The application form is HE RIA IA Stage 1, which typically involves consortia.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 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. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. This indicates that the geographic eligibility includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some non-EU/non-associated countries under specific conditions.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily transport, specifically aerospace, focusing on noise reduction in new ultraefficient aircraft designs. This includes areas of climate, energy and mobility. The thematic areas include aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, noise reduction, integrated metamaterials/structures, and multi-disciplinary design and optimisation.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the opportunity is open to EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some non-EU/non-associated countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is research and innovation actions (RIA), which typically involves activities ranging from research to demonstration. The focus on "advanced and validated numerical and experimental aero-acoustic methodologies" suggests a stage of development and validation.

Funding Amount: For the topic HORIZON-CL5-2027-04-Two-Stage-D2-07, the budget is EUR 48,000,000 with an indicative grant amount of around EUR 4,800,000. For the topic HORIZON-CL5-2027-04-Two-Stage-D5-09, the budget is EUR 5,000,000 with an indicative grant amount of around EUR 2,500,000.

Application Type: The application type is a two-stage open call. The planned opening date is 15 December 2026, with deadlines on 14 April 2027 and 07 October 2027.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process is two-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement.

This Horizon Europe funding opportunity, part of the BATTERIES and MOBILITY call (HORIZON-CL5-2027-04-Two-Stage), aims to advance research and innovation in noise reduction technologies for new ultraefficient aircraft designs. The primary focus is on large passenger aircraft with open fan engine architectures and ultra-high by-pass ratio architectures. The goal is to develop and validate numerical and experimental aero-acoustic methodologies to predict and mitigate aircraft noise, addressing both airframe/cabin noise and engine noise.

The program encourages projects that reinforce fundamental understanding, fill technological gaps, and propose new technologies, including integrated metamaterials and structures. It also seeks to improve noise footprint assessments and annoyance mitigation methodologies. The call builds upon lessons learned from previous projects like H2020.CS2-LPA-01-D01 and complements HORIZON-CL5-2022-D5-01-12.

The funding is provided as a lump sum grant under the Horizon Europe Programme. The application process involves a two-stage submission, with deadlines in April and October 2027. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as universities, research institutes, SMEs, and large enterprises from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some non-EU/non-associated countries. The submission system is planned to open on 15 December 2026.

There are two topics: HORIZON-CL5-2027-04-Two-Stage-D2-07 with a budget of EUR 48 million and indicative grant of EUR 4.8 million, and HORIZON-CL5-2027-04-Two-Stage-D5-09 with a budget of EUR 5 million and indicative grant of EUR 2.5 million. The program encourages collaboration, as indicated by the partner search function. Applicants are advised to consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and other provided resources for detailed guidance on the application process and requirements.