Clean Aviation Call 4 for Proposals

Clean Aviation is pleased to announce the launch of its Call 4 for Proposals, scheduled for 17 February 2026. This call will provide up to €329.5 million in EU funding, with an estimated €824 million of total research effort⁽¹⁾ to support disruptive projects aimed at decarbonising aviation, as well as fostering EU competitiveness and industrial leadership.

On 13 February, Clean Aviation will host an event in Brussels where potential applicants can pitch their technical competences and capabilities in relation with the topics provided in the draft work programme⁽²⁾, as well as their ideas for addressing Call 4 topics. This event will be an opportunity to establish connections with parties interested in applying to the call.⁽³⁾

The Call 4 for Proposals is focused on these areas:

Ultra-efficient Short-Medium Range aircraft architectures (SMR): €130 million
Hydrogen-Powered aircraft architectures (HPA): €101 million
Ultra-efficient Regional aircraft architectures (REG): €40 million
Fast-track Areas (FTA): €40 million
Transverse activities (TRANSV): €18.5 million

In line with previous calls, Call 4 will support technologies advancing the aircraft concepts outlined in Clean Aviation's Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). This call also reintroduces funding for hydrogen-related technologies (which was not covered in Call 3). The aim is to mature these technologies while strengthening the European industrial base with regards to the hydrogen eco-system and the supply chain capabilities needed.

With this new Call, Clean Aviation takes further dedicated measures to strengthen the involvement of startups, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Research & Technology Organisations (RTOs) and universities. An eligibility condition will be introduced for large size topics (SMR, REG, HPA, TRANSV), stipulating a minimum of 15% of funding allocation⁽⁴⁾ per project proposal to SMEs, RTOs and universities.

Additionally, Clean Aviation has doubled the funds allocated to the so-called Fast Track Areas compared to Call 3: A total EU funding of €40 million will be made available in Call 4. The FTAs are designed to de-risk alternative or complementary technical solutions. Priority will be given to projects that can rapidly advance impactful technologies to the development phase and are closely connected to the SMR, REG and HPA projects, encouraging the participation of the above-mentioned entities.

Call 4 also strongly promotes the participation of applicants from all EU countries: A requirement will be part of the evaluation to demonstrate the added value of the proposed project in terms of fostering competitiveness, supporting the development of the European industrial ecosystem and encouraging cooperation and wider participation of entities across EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries.

Call 4 Upcoming Milestones

9 December: Pre-publication⁽⁵⁾ of the draft work programme 2026-2027⁽²⁾ including the preliminary list of topic descriptions identified in Call 4 for Proposals
13 February 2026: Pitch & Connect event (in Brussels), hosted by Clean Aviation, where potential participants can pitch in person their ideas for proposals and discuss them with relevant parties⁽³⁾
17 February 2026: Launch of Call 4 for Proposals
18 February 2026: Call 4 Info Day (main online event) organised by Clean Aviation⁽³⁾

(1) With inclusion of in-kind contributions from entities participating in projects
(2) The work programme outlines strategic priorities, specific research and innovation activities as well as funding opportunities, and provides a timeline.
(3) Further information will follow soon.
(4) This criterion should be met by involving several entities across EU member states and associated countries.
(5) The final funding value and the list of topics for Call 4 are subject to changes based on adoption of the amendment to the work programme 2026-2027 by the Governing Board on 12 February.