Clean Aviation, the European Union’s leading research and innovation programme that aims to transform aviation towards climate neutrality and sustainability, will launch its 4th programme call in February 2026.

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.

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

In line with previous calls, Call 4 will support technologies advancing the aircraft concepts outlined in Clean Aviation’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). This call also reintroduces funding for hydrogen-related technologies (which was not covered in Call 3). The aim is to mature these technologies while strengthening the European industrial base with regards to the hydrogen eco-system and the supply chain capabilities needed. 

With this new Call, Clean Aviation takes further dedicated measures to strengthen the involvement of startups, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Research & Technology Organisations (RTOs) and universities. An eligibility condition will be introduced for large size topics (SMR, REG, HPA, TRANSV), stipulating a minimum of 15% of funding allocation⁽³⁾ per project proposal to SMEs, RTOs and universities.   

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 also strongly promotes the participation of applicants from all EU countries: A requirement will be part of the evaluation to demonstrate the added value of the proposed project in terms of fostering competitiveness, supporting the development of the European industrial ecosystem and encouraging cooperation and wider participation of entities across EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries.