[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

January 20, 2026

Approx. €4,000,000 total; typically one award; lump sum grant model

Funds research to improve aircraft icing safety and technology for sustainable aviation, including new detection, protection, and certification methods in response to climate change.

Single-stage application; close cooperation with EASA and national aviation authorities expected.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe opportunity supports research and innovation in aircraft icing, with a focus on enabling the safety and efficiency of next-generation, low-carbon aviation solutions under increasing climate-related weather hazards. The call targets the development of scientific expertise and tools for icing system certification, new prototypes for ice detection and protection, and assessment of climate change impacts on icing environments. Projects are expected to address all or significant parts of the following: - Development of validated numerical tools and advanced testing capabilities for icing (including supercooled large drops, ice crystals, and snow). - Creation of innovative ice detection and protection technologies, especially for more electric and cleaner aircraft. - Assessment of climate change effects on icing environments using coupled climate and microphysics models. - Enhanced air data measurement systems robust to icing threats. - Collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and national authorities is strongly encouraged to ensure alignment with ongoing regulatory and certification activities. The initiative aims to generate knowledge and solutions that will facilitate the design, validation, and certification of cleaner, safer, and more resilient aviation technologies. --- ## Due Dates - Full application deadline: **January 20, 2026** (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - **Total available budget:** €4,000,000 - **Expected number of grants:** 1 - **Grant type:** Lump sum (all costs covered by a pre-agreed amount, not actual expenditure) - **Project duration:** Typically 36–48 months (to be proposed by applicants) --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply:** - Any legal entity (public or private), regardless of location, may participate. - To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in: - EU Member States (including their outermost regions) - Horizon Europe Associated Countries (full list in the [General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf)) - Certain low- and middle-income countries (see Annex B) - **Consortium requirements:** - At least three independent entities from three different eligible countries (at least one from an EU Member State) - **Additional notes:** - Entities from other countries may participate as associated partners (unfunded) if allowed by the call. - Entities from Russia, Belarus, or non-government controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible. - Public bodies, research organisations, or higher education establishments from EU/Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan in place. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-15?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) before the deadline. - **Format:** - Single-stage application (full proposal) - Use the standard application forms (Part A: administrative, Part B: technical description) available in the submission system - Detailed lump sum budget table required - **Evaluation:** - Proposals are evaluated on excellence, impact, and quality/efficiency of implementation (see [Evaluation Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/ef/ef_he-ria-ia_en.pdf)) - Thresholds: 3/5 per criterion, 10/15 overall - **Grant agreement:** Lump sum model; pre-financing and payment schedule defined in the grant agreement --- ## Additional Information - Projects must focus exclusively on civil applications. - Ethical and security (including data protection) requirements must be respected. - Open science practices and integration of the gender dimension in research content are mandatory unless justified as not relevant. - Strong engagement with EASA and relevant authorities is encouraged throughout the project. --- ## External Links - [Call Topic & Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-15?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes (2025)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form (HE RIA, IA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) - [Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [National Contact Points](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Option | Details | |---|---| | Funder general contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Funding & Tenders Portal IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | National Contact Points (NCPs) | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | Telephone (Commission HQ) | +32 2 299 11 11 | ---

Icing in the context of sustainable aviation

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