Support to programme execution on SESAR architecture and on Strategic deployment planning and monitoring

The grant opportunity pertains to the SESAR Deployment Programme under Horizon Europe, focusing on the modernization and strategic planning of air traffic management (ATM) systems in the European Union. It aims to facilitate the execution of SESAR (Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research) objectives, particularly infrastructure development and deployment planning.

Eligible applicants include research organizations, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, and public-private partnerships engaged in aviation and ATM activities. The funding mechanism is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, meaning the financial support is a fixed amount, and the available budget for similar projects typically ranges between €1 million and €5 million.

The grant requires a collaborative consortium, emphasizing cooperation among multiple stakeholders within the aviation field. Geographic eligibility extends to EU member states, countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), and associated nations, as the program's focus is EU-wide.

The target sector is specifically transport, with a clear emphasis on aviation and air traffic management. The project aims to support the implementation phase of strategic deployment activities, including monitoring and validation of ATM systems.

The application process is structured as a single-stage open call, which is open for submissions from April 1, 2025, until September 16, 2025. The grant supports direct financial contributions without the necessity for detailed financial reporting, although co-funding may be a requirement, aligning with typical EU funding practices.

The success rate for applications falls within a competitive range of approximately 10 to 39%. The project duration is limited to 36 months, and a collaboration agreement among partners is mandatory. Additional obligations may involve dissemination and exploitation of project outcomes.

In summary, the grant offers financial backing for consortia dedicated to enhancing SESAR's air traffic modernization efforts, with a structured application process and a substantial focus on collaborative activities within the European ATM sector. The overarching goals involve improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability in air traffic operations across Europe.

This is a summary of the HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02 call, focusing on support to programme execution on SESAR architecture and strategic deployment planning and monitoring.

The call aims to contribute to the following expected outcomes in support of the SESAR 3 JU: consistent SESAR architecture design, future Common Project regulations supporting strategic deployment objectives, involvement of the ATM workforce, and facilitating market deployment of priorities. The scope covers deployment activities on the ATM Master Plan and support to SESAR architecture activities.

Regarding support to SESAR 3 JU in the management of the SESAR architecture, the scope covers activities such as maintaining architecture modelling methodology and framework, monitoring SESAR architecture modelling, consistency analysis, and reporting SESAR architecture progress at the programme level. It also includes supporting SESAR 3 JU on monitoring the progress of the R&I programme on key dimensions of the ATM Master Plan.

On the deployment dimension, the scope includes supporting the SESAR 3 JU to report on deployment activities in both industrialisation and implementation. Activities to be performed will focus on supporting the elaboration of the annual strategic deployment monitoring report, encouraging market uptake of SESAR Solutions, supporting market uptake through deployment guidance, and supporting SESAR 3 JU in maintaining links between standardisation and regulatory needs.

Additional support activities, upon request of the SESAR 3 JU, may include strategic planning and monitoring activities, aligning the ICAO aviation system block upgrade with the evolution of the European ATM Master Plan, preparing for performance impact plans, and supporting a potential ATM Master Plan update campaign.

The call conditions include admissibility conditions 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. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. The call is subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in subsection 2.5 of the BAWP 2024-2025. The weighting per criteria in addition to the general award criteria is: Excellence 40%, Impact 40%, and 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 be composed partially of representatives of EU institutions and agencies. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. Legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Exceptions to the standard rules include a funding rate of 70% for all beneficiaries, eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum, and additional dissemination and exploitation obligations. Grants awarded under this topic 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 a mandatory requirement. The maximum project duration is 36 months.

Call documents include the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Bi-Annual Work Programme (BAWP) 2024-2025 - Annex III, application form templates, evaluation form templates, model grant agreements, and call-specific instructions. Additional documents include the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Multi-Annual Work Programme (MAWP) 2022-2031, SESAR 3 Project Handbook, SESAR 3 Q&A Document, HE Main Work Programmes, Council Regulation 2021/2085, 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, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview lists several topics with a single-stage process, opening on April 1, 2025, and a deadline of September 16, 2025. These topics include HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA1-1, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA2-1, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-1, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-2, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-1, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-2, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-3, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-1, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-2, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-2, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-3, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-1, HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-1 and HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-2. The contributions and indicative number of grants vary per topic.

Partner search announcements are available, and LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests.

The SESAR 3 JU Call Helpdesk, 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 are available for support.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call focuses on providing support to the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking in executing its programme related to air traffic management. This includes activities related to the SESAR architecture, strategic deployment planning, and monitoring of deployment activities. The call is structured around several specific topics, each with its own budget and expected outcomes, ranging from research and innovation actions to coordination and support actions. Applicants are expected to form collaborations and address specific requirements related to dissemination, exploitation, and alignment with the European ATM Master Plan. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and the evaluation criteria emphasize excellence, impact, and implementation.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the nature of Horizon Europe and SESAR Joint Undertaking calls, eligible applicants can include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other relevant organizations involved in air traffic management and aviation research. The mention of "beneficiaries" throughout the text suggests a broad range of eligible entities.

Funding Type: The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the "Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]" and the mention of "Grants awarded under this topic". The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Consortium Requirement: The text indicates that a collaboration agreement is required, suggesting that a consortium of multiple applicants is preferred or necessary.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries, as indicated by the reference to Horizon Europe and the mention of "non-EU/non-Associated Countries". The specific eligible countries are detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Target Sector: The program targets the air traffic management (ATM) sector, specifically focusing on the Digital European Sky and the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) initiative. This includes areas such as air traffic control, aviation safety, communication networks, and deployment of ATM technologies.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are explicitly mentioned, but the geographic scope is the EU and associated countries. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is mentioned, indicating a focus on European aviation safety standards.

Project Stage: The project stage ranges from research and innovation to deployment and implementation. The call encompasses Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), indicating support for projects at various stages of maturity.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call. The budget overview provides the following ranges:
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-WA5-1/2/3: EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 6,000,000
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-1/2/3: 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, as indicated by "Open For Submission" and "single-stage" submission model.

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

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage, meaning applicants submit a full proposal at once.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

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% through other sources.

Summary:
This is a Horizon Europe call under the Digital European Sky Industrial Research 02 (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02) program, focusing on supporting the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking (JU). The call aims to improve the consistency of SESAR architecture design, support future Common Project regulations, involve the ATM workforce, and facilitate market deployment of strategic deployment objectives (SDOs). The scope includes deployment activities related to the ATM Master Plan and support for SESAR architecture activities. The call is structured around Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations involved in air traffic management and aviation research from EU member states and associated countries. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with a 70% funding rate. A collaboration agreement is required, suggesting that consortia are preferred. The application process is single-stage, with a deadline of September 16, 2025. The call seeks to align European aviation safety standards with the ATM Master Plan and promote global harmonization of ATM functionalities.