EU's Clean Aviation Calls For Further Research and Innovation Proposals | Aviation International News

Sustainability and Environment

Clean Aviation Calls For Research and Innovation Proposals

New funding will include work on hydrogen-powered aircraft

Airbus ZeroE — The Clean Aviation program wants to back efforts to bring hydrogen-powered aircraft to market, recognizing that work such as Airbus's ZeroE project is now anticipated to come to fruition around 2040, rather than the earlier 2035 target.

By Charlotte Bailey • News Reporter

December 20, 2025

The European Union-backed Clean Aviation project has announced its fourth call for proposals, with an initial draft published on December 9 set to be followed by formal proposals that will be issued on Feb. 13, 2026. The upcoming call will provide up to €329.5 million ($386 million) in funding for disruptive new aircraft technologies, providing an estimated €824 million ($966 million) when combined with input from the private sector.

The Call 4 stage of Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda is seeking proposals for three specific projects, each with their own funding allocations. These include ultra-efficient short-medium range aircraft (€130 million), hydrogen-powered aircraft (€101 million), and ultra-efficient regional (€40 million). Separate pots of money will be available for what the organization calls fast-track areas (€40 million) covering technology such as low-power ice protection systems and transverse activities (€18.5 million) for work including certification methodologies.

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