Clean Aviation announced 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
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 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
Further information: https://www.clean-aviation.eu/eu3295-million-in-eu-funding-clean-aviation-announces-its-call-4-for-proposals