AI-assisted digital aircraft design, manufacturing and MRO, towards a competitive aviation
Funds research on AI-driven digital technologies for aircraft design, manufacturing, and maintenance to boost efficiency, safety, and competitiveness in EU aviation.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
European Commission has archived this opportunity.
Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: April 14, 2026 (full proposal, single-stage RIA)
Funding Amounts: €10 million total; expected EU contribution per project ~€5 million; 2 projects to be funded; lump sum grants
Summary: Supports development of AI-driven digital solutions for aircraft design, manufacturing, and maintenance to enhance efficiency, safety, and competitiveness in EU aviation.
Key Information: Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in this call.
Description
This Horizon Europe grant funds research and innovation actions (RIA) focused on advancing robust, AI-assisted digital capabilities for aircraft design, manufacturing, and maintenance, with an emphasis on integration with digital twins and virtual product environments. Projects should address AI-driven tools for requirement definition, validation, and verification, and aim to improve system design efficiency and safety. The scope covers reliable and accelerated AI training, high-performance AI computing for multidisciplinary optimization, protocols and standards for digitalized manufacturing and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) supply chains, and experimental validation of machine learning algorithms using EU research infrastructures.
Key areas include the verifiable use of generative AI and large language models for regulatory compliance, AI-assisted prescriptive maintenance for operational efficiency and circularity, and human-in-the-loop systems. The expected impact is to enable breakthrough technologies for competitive, clean, and safe aviation in the EU, accelerating the uptake of digital and AI technologies in the sector.
