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HORIZON-SESAR-2025 Calls: A Complete Guide to Boosting Aerial Innovation
What are the HORIZON-SESAR Digital European Sky Calls?
The HORIZON-SESAR-2025 calls are part of the Horizon Europe programme, aimed at funding projects that strengthen the European Digital Sky.
Coordinated by the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking, they drive the transformation of the Air Traffic Management (ATM) system through disruptive technologies, advanced automation, and environmental solutions.
These calls seek not only to improve the efficiency of Europe’s airspace but also to reduce aviation’s environmental footprint, optimise air navigation services, and ensure a safe transition towards future air mobility.
Who are the HORIZON-SESAR-2025 Calls aimed at?
The HORIZON-SESAR-2025 calls are targeted towards:
- Aviation and technology companies.
- Universities and research centres specialising in aviation, drones, and telecommunications.
- Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs).
- Innovative SMEs in advanced air mobility and sustainability.
- European consortia involving partners from various Member States.
Transnational cooperation is prioritised to strengthen the European Research Area in air traffic management and innovative air mobility.
List of Currently Open Calls in HORIZON-SESAR-2025
All calls listed below have a deadline of 16 September 2025.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-2 | Support to programme execution on SESAR architecture and on Strategic deployment planning and monitoring
Coordinates SESAR architecture design, monitors advancements in the deployment of the European Digital Sky, and supports regulatory updates.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA1-1 | Transformation to trajectory-based operations
Advances optimised flight trajectory management through the development of new planning and coordination systems.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA7-1 | Support to programme execution framework on performance
Supports performance consolidation, assessing the impact of SESAR solutions on the European ATM network.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-1 | Next generation ATS platforms for en-route and TMA operations
Develops platforms for en-route and TMA operations, integrating advanced automation and enhanced connectivity.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA2-1 | Transition towards high performance of air-ground connectivity (multilink)
Fosters the transition towards next-generation air-ground communication networks such as LDACS, satellite communications, and hyper-connectivity.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-2 | Smart airports, airports as multimodal nodes and passenger experience
Promotes digital transformation at airports, enhancing multimodal transport management and improving passenger experience.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA3-2 | Enhanced CNS capabilities
Develops resilient and secure communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems for future ATM environments.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-1 | ATM impact on climate change
Researches how ATM can reduce its environmental impact, focusing on non-CO2 emissions and extreme weather phenomena.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-1 | Fast-track U3 U-space advanced services and CNS capabilities
Accelerates the deployment of advanced drone traffic management services across European airspace.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-2 | Digital flight rules
Works on establishing digital flight rules for cooperative operations based on electronic surveillance and advanced autonomy.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-3 | Fast-track Enabling innovative air mobility (IAM) / Vertical take-off and landing capable aircraft (VCA) (crewed and uncrewed) operations
Facilitates urban air mobility operations with crewed and uncrewed Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA4-1 | Next generation ATS platform for airport operations
Advances in airport air traffic control systems to improve automation and integration with advanced technologies.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-2 | Highly automated ATM for all airspace users
Promotes automation solutions to manage operations for all types of airspace users in controlled and uncontrolled environments.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-3 | Airborne capabilities for supporting reducing ATM environmental footprint
Explores innovative techniques such as wake energy retrieval and environmental trajectory optimisation.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA2-1 | Research to help shape the future regulatory framework for a DES
Studies the regulatory evolutions required for the safe deployment of the European Digital Sky.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA6-2 | Fast-track Extending U-space eco-system
Facilitates the expansion of U-space services for safe and efficient drone operations in Europe.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-3 | Investigate quantum sensing and computing applied to ATM
Applies emerging quantum technologies to air traffic control and navigation.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-4 | Fundamental research for other topics
Funds exploratory research tackling disruptive technologies not covered by other actions.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA2-2 | Integration of the next generation aircraft for zero/low emission aviation
Promotes the integration of zero- or low-emission aircraft into the European ATM system.
HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-IR-02-WA5-1 | Increased automation assistance for the pilot for ATM tasks
Develops automation solutions to support pilots in highly automated air traffic management environments.
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