EU's Clean Aviation Set to Invite Proposals for Decarbonization R&D Work

The European Union-backed Clean Aviation initiative issued an advance notice of its third call for decarbonization research and development proposals this week. Aerospace companies have been invited to apply for up to €380 million ($399 million) in EU funding as part of a program valued at a minimum of €950 million when contributions from industry and other entities are factored in.

The largest chunk of funding (€205 million) has been allocated to what Clean Aviation describes as “ultra-efficient, short-medium range aircraft” architectures, implying a focus on the widely anticipated shifts in the distinction between current narrow- and wide-body airliners. Another €145 million has been set aside for work on ultra-efficient regional airliner concepts and a further €15 million for concept integration and impact assessment.

Work covered by the third call for proposals will relate to a diverse set of technologies described in Clean Aviation’s Strategic Research Initiative Agenda. A subsequent fourth call for proposals will focus on work around hydrogen-powered aircraft. The bidding process is expected to attract proposals from aerospace companies of all sizes and specializations.

A new feature of the Clean Aviation approach is to identify so-called “fast track areas” to accelerate the implementation of technologies. For instance, in the short-medium range category, these would include a ground test demonstration and preparations for flight testing of an ultra-high bypass ratio ducted geared turbofan engine. Other planned areas of funded work include demonstrating a hybrid-electric propulsion system for regional airliners and designing and integrating a high-performance battery system for the same sector of air transport.

The third call for proposals process formally starts at the end of February 2025. Clean Aviation plans to hold proposal pitch events and guidance sessions for companies.

Existing Clean Aviation projects include ongoing work to advance plans for decarbonizing short-haul flights. This has involved major aerospace groups such as GE Aviation, Honeywell, Collins, Textron, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce, as well as start-ups such as hydrogen propulsion pioneer H2Fly.