Deadline: 19-May-2026
The European Commission is inviting applications to create a dedicated operational stakeholders’ group that will help assess the real-world operational implications of Clean Aviation aircraft concepts and technologies. The group will identify operational gaps and risks, provide recommendations to the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (Clean Aviation JU) and project coordinators, and support smoother deployment of innovative aircraft technologies expected to enter operations from 2035.
About the Opportunity
The European Commission is seeking proposals to establish a collaborative group of operators and operational stakeholders that can help prepare the aviation sector for the deployment of Clean Aviation technologies.
The purpose is not to directly build aircraft systems, but to ensure that next-generation sustainable aviation concepts can be integrated into real operations safely, efficiently, and with fewer deployment barriers.
This call supports the broader transition toward:
- Sustainable aviation
- Clean aircraft deployment
- Operational readiness for disruptive aviation technologies
- Risk mitigation for future aircraft integration
- European aviation decarbonisation goals
What the Initiative Will Do
The project will create a dedicated operational stakeholders’ group responsible for assessing how future Clean Aviation aircraft concepts may affect actual aviation operations.
This group is expected to:
- Identify operational gaps
- Assess deployment risks
- Evaluate the implications of disruptive aircraft technologies
- Provide recommendations to the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (JU)
- Support project coordinators with operational insights
- Anticipate challenges that may arise before aircraft enter service
- Help ensure seamless integration of innovations into aviation operations from 2035 onward
Expected Outcome
The main expected result is the creation of a collaborative operator group that can guide the practical deployment of Clean Aviation innovations.
Expected outputs include:
- A structured operational stakeholders’ group
- Analysis of operational impacts of emerging aircraft technologies
- Identification of gaps, barriers, and risks
- Recommendations for deployment readiness
- Guidance for integrating innovative aircraft concepts into future operations
- Support for safer and more effective implementation of disruptive aviation technologies
Funding Information
The call information provided states:
- Funding for the initiative totals €329,500,000
Important Clarification
This figure likely refers to the broader call or programme budget envelope, not necessarily the budget for this single coordination-type action.
Because this specific topic is focused on forming an operational stakeholders’ group, applicants should carefully check the official call topic page to confirm:
- The exact topic budget
- The maximum EU contribution per project
- The action type (for example, CSA, RIA, or IA)
- The expected number of projects funded
For article purposes, it is safest to state the provided figure while clarifying that applicants should verify the exact topic-level funding conditions in the official call documents.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible participants include:
- Any legal entity, regardless of location
- Entities from EU Member States
- Entities from Horizon Europe associated countries
- Entities from non-associated third countries (if allowed under the call conditions)
- International organisations
Legal Entity Definition
Eligible legal entities may include:
- Natural persons
- Legal persons recognised under:
- National law
- EU law
- International law
These entities must be able to:
- Act in their own name
- Exercise rights and obligations
- Meet the requirements under the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific call conditions
Best-Suited Applicants
This opportunity is especially relevant for:
- Aircraft operators
- Airlines
- Airport operational stakeholders
- Air navigation and operational service actors
- Aviation system integrators
- Aviation research organisations
- Aviation associations and collaborative networks
- Entities involved in operational readiness and deployment planning
Why This Initiative Matters
This initiative is important because many aviation innovation programmes focus heavily on technology development, but real success depends on operational deployment.
Why it matters:
- Helps reduce risks before new aircraft concepts enter service
- Improves alignment between technology developers and operators
- Supports smoother adoption of Clean Aviation innovations
- Anticipates barriers to integrating disruptive technologies
- Strengthens readiness for 2035 aviation deployment goals
- Contributes to long-term sustainable aviation transition in Europe
In short, this call is about making sure promising aircraft technologies are not only developed—but are also operationally usable.
How to Apply
A strong proposal should focus on building a credible and representative operator-led collaboration that can provide practical aviation deployment insights.
Steps to Apply
- Confirm eligibility
Ensure your organisation qualifies as an eligible legal entity under Horizon Europe and the specific call conditions. - Build the right consortium or stakeholder group
Include operators and relevant aviation stakeholders who understand real-world operational constraints. - Define the group’s operational role clearly
Explain how the group will assess operational impact, identify risks, and support Clean Aviation deployment. - Show expertise in aviation operations
Demonstrate knowledge of airline operations, airport systems, flight operations, maintenance, safety, or deployment planning. - Create a practical risk and gap assessment approach
Present a method for identifying operational barriers and turning them into useful recommendations. - Align with 2035 deployment goals
Show how your work supports the expected operational integration timeline for future Clean Aviation technologies. - Check the official call page carefully
Confirm the exact topic-level funding, project size, and submission conditions before final submission.
Tips for Applicants
To improve competitiveness:
- Involve real operators, not just research partners
- Show strong understanding of aviation operational workflows
- Focus on deployment practicality, not just theory
- Demonstrate how recommendations will be actionable
- Align clearly with Clean Aviation 2035 readiness
- Verify all funding assumptions from the official call text
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these issues:
- Treating the call like a technology development project
- Failing to include credible operational stakeholders
- Providing vague recommendations without a clear assessment method
- Ignoring the need to identify gaps and risks
- Misstating the budget without checking the topic-specific funding details
- Not linking the proposal to future deployment pathways
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of this European Commission call?
The call aims to create an operational stakeholders’ group that will assess how Clean Aviation aircraft concepts and technologies can be integrated into real aviation operations.
2. What will the selected group do?
The group will identify operational gaps and risks, assess deployment challenges, and provide recommendations to the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking and project coordinators.
3. Is this a technology development call?
Not primarily. This opportunity is focused more on operational readiness, deployment planning, and integration support rather than direct aircraft technology development.
4. Who can apply?
Any eligible legal entity may apply, including organisations from non-associated third countries and international organisations, subject to Horizon Europe rules and call conditions.
5. What is the stated funding amount?
The provided information states €329,500,000, but applicants should verify whether this is the overall programme budget or the specific topic budget for this action.
6. Why is this important for 2035?
The initiative helps prepare aviation stakeholders for the operational deployment of Clean Aviation technologies expected to enter service from 2035.
Conclusion
This European Commission Clean Aviation operational stakeholders’ call is a strategic opportunity for organisations that understand real-world aviation operations and can help bridge the gap between innovation and deployment.
By creating a dedicated operator group to assess risks, identify operational gaps, and guide implementation, this initiative supports the safe and effective integration of sustainable aviation technologies by 2035.
For more information, visit European Commission.
