Question 1

What EU grants are available for the Aerospace sector?

Accepted Answer

The European Commission offers a wide range of funding opportunities specifically designed for the Aerospace sector. These include grants through Horizon Europe (the EU's flagship research and innovation programme with a budget of €95.5 billion), the European Innovation Council (EIC) which provides funding for breakthrough innovations, and various sector-specific initiatives. Funding types range from Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with 100% funding rates, to Innovation Actions (IA) with 70% funding for companies, and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) for networking and coordination activities. Our database helps you find grants that match your organization's specific needs, project stage, and funding requirements.

Question 2

How do I apply for Aerospace grants from the EU?

Accepted Answer

Applying for EU grants in the Aerospace sector involves several key steps. First, use Grantalist to identify suitable open calls that match your project idea and organization type. Next, carefully review the call documentation, including eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, and the work programme. Most EU grants require you to form a consortium with partners from at least 3 different EU member states or associated countries. Once ready, you'll submit your proposal through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, which includes a detailed description of your project, work packages, budget breakdown, and impact assessment. The evaluation process typically takes 3-5 months, after which successful applicants enter grant agreement preparation. We recommend starting your application at least 2-3 months before the deadline.

Question 3

What is the typical funding amount for Aerospace EU grants?

Accepted Answer

EU grants for the Aerospace sector offer diverse funding levels depending on the programme and action type. Small-scale grants through programmes like EIC Accelerator can start from €500,000 up to €2.5 million in grant funding, plus up to €15 million in equity investment. Collaborative research projects under Horizon Europe typically range from €3 million to €10 million for standard projects, while some large-scale flagship initiatives can exceed €20 million. SMEs and startups often benefit from higher funding rates (up to 70% for Innovation Actions compared to large companies) and access to specialized instruments. The exact amount depends on the specific call topic, project scope, consortium size, and type of activities proposed.

Question 4

Who is eligible for Aerospace EU grants?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility for Aerospace EU grants extends to a wide range of organizations. Legal entities from EU member states and associated countries (including the UK for some programmes, Norway, Switzerland, and others) are typically eligible. This includes universities and research institutions, large enterprises and multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees, startups and scale-ups, public bodies and NGOs, and international organizations. Some calls specifically target certain organization types, such as SME-only calls or academic-focused research grants. Third-country participation is possible in many programmes, though often without EU funding.

EU Grants for Aerospace

Interconnect Earth Observation research for addressing environmental policies

Efficient and compliant access to and use of data (IA) (AI, Data and Robotics partnership)

Challenge-Driven GenAI4EU Booster in Apply AI prioritised sectors (RIA) (AI/Data/Robotics Partnership)

Closing knowledge gaps on Earth system science in support of global and regional assessments and climate policy

Coordinated European contribution to the WMO Global Greenhouse Gas Watch and its international governance

Public procurement of innovative solutions for improving citizens' access to healthcare through integrated or personalised approaches

Pilot actions for follow-on funding: Leveraging EU-funded collaborative research in regenerative medicine

Integrating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to advance biomedical research and regulatory testing

Open topic: Uncovering the causes of specific species’ rapid decline and exploring actionable solutions

Advancing research on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of post-infection long-term conditions

Towards a better understanding and anticipation of the impacts of climate change on health

Scaling up innovation in cardiovascular health

Multisectoral approach to tackle chronic non-communicable diseases: implementation research maximising collaboration and coordination with sectors and in settings beyond the healthcare system (GACD)

Boosting innovation for people-centred integrated healthcare solutions

Boosting innovation through exploitation of digitalisation and data exchange in healthcare

Boosting innovation for better assessment of the added value of innovative integrated healthcare solutions

Boosting innovation through better integration of fragmented health R&I efforts

Boosting innovation for a better understanding of the determinants of health

‘Proof of market’ to improve valorisation and commercialisation of Horizon generated R&I results (IA)

Creative Innovation Lab

Military multi-domain operations cloud services

PPPA-2026-Game-Changing Innovation for European Launch Solutions

Collection, Generation and Validation of Datasets suitable for training AI Models for 6G Networks and for AIaaS

Demonstration of an integrated hydrogen fuel system for a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell powered aircraft

Operational stakeholders’ group to support the deployment of Clean Aviation aircraft concepts and technologies

Demonstration and Validation of icing Certification Methodologies compatible with EIS2035 for the SMR and REG Aircraft

Ground Demonstration of Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Architectures for the Ultra-efficient SMR aircraft

Innovative light weight and reliable liquid hydrogen tank

Demonstration of an Optimized System Platform for Ultra-efficient SMR Aircraft

Superconducting motor windings for a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell powered aircraft

Frequently Asked Questions About Aerospace EU Grants