Key Technologies for Loads Control Lidar for Ultra-efficient SMR aircraft

Overview

Development and demonstration of lidar technologies for gust load alleviation systems in ultra-efficient short- to medium-range (SMR) aircraft, targeting organizations capable of advancing airborne turbulence detection and flight control integration.

Who Can Apply

Consortia of legal entities established in eligible countries, including EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and select non-associated countries with specific funding provisions. Applicants must meet financial and operational capacity requirements as outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: 60,000,000 EUR
• Funding rate: Not specified (refer to Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes for standard rates)
• Total budget: Not specified

What Is Funded

• Maturation of lidar sub-systems for ahead-of-aircraft turbulence detection
• System integration approaches compatible with flight control architectures
• Demonstration of technologies in representative airborne conditions
• Activities supporting load reduction and structural weight benefits for ultra-efficient SMR aircraft

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Expected to target mid-to-high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), likely TRL 4-6 or higher, given the focus on demonstration in airborne conditions. Exact TRL range not specified.

Key Dates

• Call opens: 2026-03-30
• Application deadline: 2026-05-18

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal
• Proposal templates and financial annexes will be available in the submission system by late March 2026, with additional templates released mid-March 2026
• Evaluation follows Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (CA JU) Fast Track Activities (FTA) criteria

Post-Award Obligations

• Reporting and dissemination requirements as outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Clean Aviation contract template
• Compliance with Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and model consortium agreement

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and select non-associated countries with specific funding provisions (see Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes)
• Application language: English

Notes

• Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes
• Applicants are advised to monitor the Funding & Tenders Portal for updates, including Q&A releases on 2026-02-17 and 2026-04-17
• Specific evaluation criteria and thresholds are detailed in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes