Research

EASA is committed to supporting R&I activities and to provide an agile and effective regulatory system for a smooth and timely certification and integration of new technologies and innovative operations into the aviation sector.

In accordance with Article 86 of the Basic Regulation, EASA shall assist the Commission and the Member States in identifying key research themes in the field of civil aviation.

In accordance with Article 86 of the EASA Basic Regulation (Regulation EU) 218/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council, EASA shall assist the Commission and the Member States in identifying key research themes in the field of civil aviation. Furthermore, the Agency shall support the Commission in the definition and accomplishment of the relevant Union framework programmes for research and innovation activities and of the annual and multi-annual work programmes, including in the conduct of evaluation procedures, in the review of funded projects and in the exploitation of the results of research and innovation projects. 

The Agency shall also implement civil aviation related parts of the framework programme for Research and Innovation where the Commission has delegated the relevant powers to it. 

Finally, EASA may also engage in ad hoc research activities, provided that those activities are compatible with the Agency's tasks.

EASA & Horizon Europe Work Programme - for a healthier, greener and more digital Europe

Following the approval of the Horizon Europe Work Programme by the European Commission on June 15, 2021, EASA has been entrusted with the management of six large research actions, covering a budget of 14.2 million Euro and spanning over 15 different tenders.

Overview research actions and associated tenders:

Research Actions Budget (M€)* Number
of tenders

Lessons-learnt from recent accidents / incidents in Air Transport

3.40 4

Safety standards for the introduction of key concepts and technologies 

3.40 5

Solutions for runway safety

2.10 2

Standards supporting the digital transformation of aviation

2.10 1

Development of new aviation health safety standards (for flight crews)

1.70 2

Impact of security measures on safety

1.50 1

The next milestone will be the signature of a contribution agreement between the European Commission and EASA, which is setting out the terms for the implementation of the six research actions by EASA.

EASA’s website has a dedicated page listing all ‘Calls for tender’ once they are published in the eTendering tool of the European Institutions and we recommend interested parties to regularly check the page for upcoming tenders related to the Horizon Europe Work Programme.

All research actions are financed to 100% by the Horizon Europe research programme of the European Union. 

For more information, please review the ‘Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022’ as published by the European Commission.

Involvement in the Horizon 2020 Work Programme as Contracting Authority

The European Commission has already entrusted EASA with the management of nine urgent research actions in the area of environmental protection and aviation safety. Under this agreement, EASA is responsible for contracting, the technical oversight and the proper dissemination and usage of the research results. of nine urgent research actions in the area of environmental protection and aviation safety.

All research actions are financed to 100% by the H2020 research programme of the European Union. 

Overview of research actions and projects for which contracts have been put in place:

European Partnership Agreements

The European Union launched ten European Research Partnerships with Member States and industry in November 2021. The partnerships aim at speeding up the transition towards a green, climate neutral and digital Europe, as well as strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the European industry. 

EASA is engaged in supporting the Single European Sky ATM Research 3 (SESAR 3) and Clean Aviation Joint Undertakings. Through service contracts with the project Consortium leaders, EASA provides advice on the development of new products/systems/solutions with regard to the certification aspects and regulatory aspects enabling new concepts of operation. EASA is Observer in the Governing structure of both Joint Undertakings.

The collaboration between EASA and the Joint Undertakings, implementing the Programmes, will be crucial to accelerate market uptake and to facilitate the certification process of resulting products by EASA as competent authority.

Clean Aviation

This partnership puts aviation en-route to climate neutrality, by accelerating the development and deployment of disruptive research and innovation solutions. It aims to develop the next generation of ultra-efficient low-carbon aircraft, with novel power sources, engines, and systems, improving competitiveness and employment in the aviation sector that will be especially important for the recovery.

EASA is represented in bodies of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, as observer to the Governing Board and as member in the Technical Committee and the Scientific Advisory Board.

For more information please consult the Clean Aviation website.

Single European Sky ATM Research 3

The partnership aims to accelerate the digital transformation of air traffic management with the goal of making Europe’s airspace the most efficient, safest and environmentally friendly sky to fly in the world, while supporting the competitiveness and recovery of the aviation sector following the coronavirus crisis.

EASA is represented in the Governing Board of the SESAR3 Joint Undertaking and in other technical committees.

For more information please consult the SESAR website.

Support to research projects

EASA is involved in several European and national research projects usually in an advising role. EASA provides advice and guidance as required to ensure the development of the required solutions whilst ensuring the highest safety performance, environmental protection and standards for the European aviation system. This is achieved either through the reinforcement of existing capabilities or the development of new ones in order to provide responses to identified shortcomings.

The European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) provides the list of required safety actions that have been agreed upon at the European level by the various Stakeholders. 

On a regular basis, EASA experts develop topics and requests for research projects that are needed to tackle key safety, environmental protection and security issues. These topics are registered, assessed and finally prioritised in a yearly ‘Research Plan’ which becomes part of the EPAS. An extract of the Research plan is the Research Agenda, which groups the requests for a given period.

Where suitable, the commitment of EASA expert resources for projects can be agreed upon by consortia and the Agency prior to the submission of the proposals to the Horizon 2020 Work Programme. EASA may act as a third party providing in-kind contributions against payment. 

Please consult the published Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018 - 2020 for more information, in particular the Societal Challenge “Smart, Green and Integrated Transport”, including aeronautics.

Furthermore, the Clean Sky Call for Proposals includes numerous topics which are also research priorities for the Agency.

The following link provides an Overview of Research Projects with EASA involvement.

Consult our research reports

The list of previous research and studies undertaken by EASA can be found on our website under 'Research Reports'.

How to contact us?

Further questions on this subject can be addressed to research [at] easa.europa.eu (research[at]easa[dot]europa[dot]eu).