Deadline: 19-May-2026
The European Commission is inviting proposals to develop an advanced airframe concept for the Ultra-Efficient Regional Aircraft (UERA), with entry into service targeted by 2035. Under this Clean Aviation-linked opportunity, one project may receive up to €40 million to design, integrate, and ground-test a TRL 6 airframe compatible with hybrid-electric propulsion, while meeting strict eligibility rules including a mandatory 15% budget share for SMEs, RTOs, and universities.
About the Opportunity
The European Commission is seeking proposals to develop a next-generation advanced airframe that supports the Ultra-Efficient Regional Aircraft (UERA) concept.
The project is expected to deliver a fully integrated airframe architecture that combines:
- Advanced aerodynamics
- Lightweight structures
- Hybrid-electric propulsion compatibility
- Enabling aircraft systems
- Certification readiness for future regional aviation
This call is designed to support future aircraft that can enter service by 2035, contributing to clean aviation, lower CO2 emissions, SAF compatibility, reduced noise, and regional aircraft efficiency.
Funding Amount and Project Duration
Selected projects may receive:
- Up to €40 million EU contribution
Important funding notes:
- Maximum EU contribution per project: €40 million
- Only one project is expected to be funded
- Proposals requesting more than €40 million will be non-eligible
- Funding depends on evaluation results and complementarity
Project duration:
- Up to 48 months
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to develop an advanced airframe concept that can support the broader UERA aircraft architecture.
Key objectives include:
- Design and optimise the overall airframe architecture
- Cover the wing, fuselage, and empennage
- Ensure hybrid-electric propulsion integration
- Develop lightweight structures
- Improve advanced aerodynamic performance
- Integrate enabling systems such as:
- Flight control systems
- High-lift systems
- Ice protection systems
- Achieve TRL 6 through ground test demonstrations
- Support compliance with certification requirements
- Align with CS-25 and CRL4 expectations
- Contribute to CO2 emissions reduction
- Ensure Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) compatibility
- Meet noise performance requirements
- Build design models and integration pathways with parallel Clean Aviation projects
What Projects Are Expected to Deliver
Projects should deliver a fully integrated advanced airframe ready for strong validation at system level.
Expected outcomes include:
- A validated airframe concept for the UERA
- Integrated design of:
- Wing
- Fuselage
- Empennage
- Ground-tested enabling systems under representative operating conditions
- Compatibility with hybrid-electric propulsion
- Consideration of:
- Battery integration
- Thermal management
- Energy systems constraints
- Strong interfaces with parallel Clean Aviation projects
- A clear route toward future aircraft deployment by 2035
Technology Readiness and Demonstration Requirements
The project is expected to achieve:
- TRL 6 by completion
This must be demonstrated through:
- Comprehensive ground testing
- Validation of key airframe structures
- Testing of enabling systems in representative conditions
- Integration readiness across the broader aircraft concept
What This Means in Practice
This is a high-maturity, system-level development call, not an early-stage research project.
Applicants should be able to show:
- Strong existing technical foundations
- Large-scale aircraft design capability
- Integration expertise across structures, systems, and propulsion
- A realistic certification and industrialisation pathway
Who Is Eligible?
This is a Horizon Europe / Clean Aviation-type collaborative call, so applicants must follow standard consortium and beneficiary rules.
Mandatory Budget Allocation Rule
A critical eligibility condition is:
- At least 15% of the total EU contribution must be allocated to:
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs)
- Universities
These organisations must have beneficiary status under Horizon Europe rules.
Important Eligibility Warning
Proposals will be considered non-eligible if they:
- Request more than €40 million
- Fail to allocate at least 15% of the EU contribution to eligible SMEs, RTOs, and/or universities
Best-Suited Applicants
This call is especially relevant for:
- Aircraft manufacturers
- Airframe design companies
- Aerospace engineering consortia
- Hybrid-electric aviation developers
- Aerostructure specialists
- Flight systems and aircraft systems integrators
- Universities and RTOs in clean aviation
- Advanced materials and thermal management experts
Why This Funding Matters
This is a major opportunity for organisations working on future regional aircraft and sustainable aviation platforms.
Why it matters:
- Supports a 2035 entry-into-service regional aircraft concept
- Advances hybrid-electric aircraft integration
- Helps reduce CO2 emissions
- Encourages SAF-compatible aviation pathways
- Improves noise performance
- Connects airframe development with broader Clean Aviation ecosystem goals
For European aviation, this is a strategic step toward next-generation low-emission regional air transport.
How to Apply
A strong proposal should demonstrate large-scale integration capability, certification awareness, and a clear path to TRL 6.
Steps to Apply
- Confirm consortium eligibility
Ensure the consortium meets Horizon Europe participation rules. - Build the right partnership
Include airframe, systems, structures, propulsion integration, certification, and testing expertise. - Meet the 15% allocation rule
Ensure at least 15% of the EU contribution goes to eligible SMEs, RTOs, and/or universities. - Define the full airframe concept
Clearly explain how the wing, fuselage, empennage, and enabling systems work together. - Show hybrid-electric compatibility
Address batteries, thermal management, energy systems, and propulsion integration constraints. - Plan TRL 6 ground demonstrations
Include realistic validation and testing under representative conditions. - Keep the budget compliant
Do not exceed the €40 million ceiling.
Tips for Applicants
To improve competitiveness:
- Show strong system integration capability
- Present a realistic TRL 6 test plan
- Demonstrate clear UERA alignment
- Include robust certification planning
- Explain interfaces with parallel Clean Aviation projects
- Show a practical path to 2035 deployment
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these issues:
- Requesting more than €40 million
- Missing the 15% beneficiary allocation requirement
- Treating the project like a component-level study
- Weak integration of hybrid-electric constraints
- Poor linkage to certification and CS-25
- No clear plan for representative ground testing
FAQs
1. What is the maximum EU funding available?
Projects can receive up to €40 million.
2. How many projects are expected to be funded?
Only one project is expected to be funded, depending on evaluation outcomes and complementarity.
3. What is the maximum project duration?
The indicative duration is up to 48 months.
4. What TRL must the project achieve?
The project is expected to achieve TRL 6 through ground test demonstrations.
5. What happens if a proposal exceeds €40 million?
It will be considered non-eligible and excluded from evaluation.
6. Is there a mandatory SME/RTO/university participation rule?
Yes. At least 15% of the total EU contribution must go to eligible SMEs, RTOs, and/or universities with beneficiary status.
Conclusion
The European Commission UERA airframe call is a high-value funding opportunity for consortia developing the next generation of ultra-efficient regional aircraft.
With up to €40 million available, this call is best suited for high-maturity, collaborative aerospace projects that can deliver a TRL 6 advanced airframe, support hybrid-electric integration, and help move Europe closer to cleaner regional aviation by 2035.
For more information, visit European Commission.