Deadline: 19-May-2026
The European Commission is inviting applications for projects that will develop and demonstrate airborne-ready lidar sensor concepts to improve aircraft efficiency and reduce structural loads. Under the Research and Innovation Action (RIA) framework, projects can receive up to €5 million, run for up to 24 months, and must advance technologies from at least TRL 4 to TRL 5 at sub-system level.
About the Funding Opportunity
The European Commission is seeking proposals to support the development of advanced airborne lidar sensing technologies for future aircraft.
The aim is to create and validate lidar-based wind sensing systems that can help aircraft detect atmospheric conditions in real time, improve gust load alleviation, reduce structural stress, and support more efficient aircraft operations.
This call is part of broader efforts to advance:
- Clean aviation technologies
- Smart aircraft systems
- Flight control innovation
- Aeronautical sensing and automation
- Aircraft efficiency and structural optimisation
Funding Amount and Project Duration
Selected projects may receive:
- Up to €5 million EU contribution per project
Important funding notes:
- Total indicative budget: €5 million
- Maximum EU contribution per project: €5 million
- Up to one project is expected to be funded
- Funding depends on evaluation outcomes and complementarity
Project duration:
- Maximum 24 months
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to support airborne-ready lidar sensor concepts that can be integrated into future aircraft systems.
Key objectives include:
- Develop and demonstrate TRL 5 maturity for key lidar sub-systems
- Integrate lidar sub-systems into constrained aircraft volumes
- Deliver validated 3D wind reconstruction algorithms
- Ensure real-time operation and compatibility with flight control systems
- Create a validated simulation and verification platform
- Link wind measurements to gust load alleviation functions
- Establish a future industrialisation plan
- Define a roadmap toward TRL 6 demonstration
- Prepare for certification readiness and future flight testing
What Projects Are Expected to Deliver
Projects should demonstrate a credible pathway toward operational aircraft integration.
Expected deliverables include:
- Airborne-ready lidar sub-systems validated at TRL 5
- Integration testing in realistic constrained environments
- 3D wind sensing and reconstruction capability suitable for aircraft use
- Real-time algorithms that interface with aircraft flight control systems
- A simulation and verification platform for gust load alleviation
- Hardware-in-the-loop validation using representative data
- Environmental testing under realistic operating conditions
- A clear industrialisation and certification roadmap
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Requirements
At project start, the technology must be at least:
- TRL 4
By the end of the project, applicants are expected to achieve:
- TRL 5 at sub-system level
Projects should also include a roadmap toward:
- TRL 6 demonstration in the next phase
What This Means in Practice
This is not an idea-stage call.
Applicants should already have:
- A technically credible lidar concept
- Prior subsystem validation
- A clear integration strategy
- A realistic plan for scaling toward flight-ready deployment
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must form a consortium under the Research and Innovation Action (RIA) framework.
Coordinator Requirement
The coordinator must be one of the following:
- University
- Research and Technology Organisation (RTO)
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME)
If the coordinator is an SME:
- They must confirm SME status where applicable
Consortium Expectations
Consortia should:
- Be led by eligible entities with aeronautical R&I expertise
- Include strong capability in aeronautics and disruptive technologies
- Involve SMEs, start-ups, and research centres
- Cooperate with industrial end-users from the beginning
Best-Suited Applicants
This call is especially relevant for:
- Lidar technology developers
- Aerospace sensing companies
- Flight control system specialists
- Avionics and aircraft systems developers
- Universities and aeronautical research institutes
- RTOs working in clean aviation and digital flight systems
- SMEs and start-ups focused on disruptive aerospace innovation
Why This Funding Matters
This call supports technologies that can improve how aircraft respond to atmospheric disturbances.
Why it matters:
- Helps reduce structural loads on aircraft
- Improves aircraft efficiency and safety
- Supports smarter gust load alleviation systems
- Advances real-time sensing and flight control integration
- Builds readiness for next-generation aircraft by 2035
This is particularly important for future aircraft design, where lightweight structures and advanced control systems require better predictive environmental sensing.
How to Apply
A strong proposal should combine technical maturity, integration realism, and a clear path to industrial uptake.
Steps to Apply
- Confirm consortium eligibility
Ensure the coordinator is a university, RTO, or SME and that the consortium includes the right technical and industrial capabilities. - Check TRL readiness
The project must start at minimum TRL 4. - Define the lidar concept clearly
Explain the sensor architecture, constrained-volume integration, and operational aircraft relevance. - Develop the wind reconstruction approach
Show how your 3D wind reconstruction algorithms will work in real time and integrate with flight control systems. - Plan validation activities
Include system integration testing, environmental testing, and hardware-in-the-loop validation. - Involve end-users early
Work with industrial end-users from the start to define performance, interface, and certification-related needs. - Present the industrialisation roadmap
Include a realistic path toward TRL 6, certification readiness, and future flight testing.
Tips for Applicants
To improve competitiveness:
- Show strong aeronautical integration expertise
- Demonstrate a clear path from TRL 4 to TRL 5
- Include credible real-time algorithm validation
- Build in strong end-user engagement
- Explain how the technology fits future aircraft by 2035
- Provide a realistic industrialisation and certification plan
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these issues:
- Submitting a project that is still too early-stage
- Weak explanation of aircraft integration constraints
- No clear link between lidar sensing and gust load alleviation
- Missing or vague hardware-in-the-loop validation plans
- Failing to involve industrial end-users early
- Not presenting a credible TRL 6 roadmap
FAQs
1. What is the maximum EU funding available?
Projects can receive up to €5 million.
2. How many projects are expected to be funded?
Up to one project is expected to be funded, depending on evaluation outcomes and complementarity.
3. What is the maximum project duration?
Projects can run for a maximum of 24 months.
4. What TRL is required at the start?
Projects must start at a minimum of TRL 4.
5. What TRL must be achieved by the end?
Projects are expected to achieve TRL 5 at sub-system level by completion.
6. Who can coordinate the project?
The coordinator must be a university, research and technology organisation (RTO), or SME.
Conclusion
The European Commission lidar sensor call is a targeted opportunity for consortia developing airborne-ready sensing technologies that can improve aircraft performance, reduce structural loads, and support smarter flight control systems.
With up to €5 million available, this call is best suited for mature, collaborative R&D teams that can take lidar concepts from TRL 4 to TRL 5 and prepare them for future aircraft integration by 2035.
For more information, visit European Commission.