HORIZON-CL5-2027-06-D6-11

Enhancing Resilience and Accuracy in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Systems and e-conspicuity solutions

Status
forthcoming
Programme
Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
Action type
HORIZON Innovation Actions
Opens
3 Jun 2027
Deadline
7 Oct 2027
Fetched
15 Jul 2026, 07:18 UTC
Plain-language summary

Develop resilient, accurate PNT systems integrating 5G, IoT, and e-conspicuity for safer aviation and drone navigation.

This call seeks innovative solutions to improve Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems beyond GNSS. Projects should integrate 5G, IoT, and AI to enhance accuracy and resilience, especially for aviation and drones. It also focuses on e-conspicuity to reduce collision risks in low-altitude airspace.

Likely relevant for

  • Aerospace and aviation technology developers
  • Telecommunications and 5G technology providers
  • IoT and sensor technology companies
  • AI and signal processing researchers
  • Navigation and positioning system experts
  • Regulatory and policy analysts in aviation and telecom

Project signals

Focus on resilient and redundant navigation solutionsIntegration of multiple technologies for PNTDevelopment of e-conspicuity solutions for collision avoidanceAddressing regulatory and policy challengesTargeting TRL 6-7 by project end

What it funds

  • Development of alternative and backup PNT solutions to GNSS
  • Integration of 5G/6G networks with advanced AI signal processing
  • Use of IoT and sensor technologies for redundant navigation
  • E-conspicuity solutions for drone and manned aircraft collision avoidance
  • Analysis of legal, regulatory, and privacy issues related to PNT deployment

Expected outcomes

  • Improved accuracy and resilience of PNT systems in contested environments
  • Enhanced navigation capabilities at low altitude airspace
  • Defined mobile communication requirements for e-conspicuity
  • Better understanding of regulatory frameworks and harmonisation needs
  • TRL 6-7 maturity level achieved by project end

Who can apply / participate

  • Research organisations
  • Industry and SMEs
  • Higher education institutions
  • Public bodies
  • Single-stage submission model
  • Check consortium composition rules in Horizon Europe General Annexes
  • Eligible countries as per Horizon Europe Annex B
  • Restrictions on entities controlled by China apply
  • Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS data mandatory if satellite-based data used
  • Compliance with Horizon Europe lump sum funding rules
  • Specific consortium size and partner country requirements
  • Exact funding rates and co-financing conditions

Must check before shortlisting

  • Eligibility restrictions related to entities controlled by China
  • Compliance with use of Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS data
  • Budget and consortium requirements
  • Specific evaluation criteria and thresholds

Money

Total budget of approximately €5 million for 2027 with lump sum funding. Single expected grant.

  • Total budget — 5000000EUR
    Planned for 2027
  • Minimum contribution — 5000000EUR
    Single lump sum grant

Application notes

  • Single-stage submission via the Horizon Europe Funding & Tenders Portal.
  • Proposal page limits and layout as per Annex A and E of Horizon Europe General Annexes
  • Use of standard application form templates adapted for this call
  • Compliance with lump sum grant model
  • Prepare proposal according to Horizon Europe guidelines
  • Submit proposal by deadline 7 October 2027
  • Ensure compliance with eligibility and admissibility criteria
  • Entities controlled by China are not eligible
  • Use of Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS data mandatory if applicable
  • Check all Horizon Europe General Annexes for detailed conditions

Derived from official EU Funding portal source · updated 22 Jun 2026, 15:41 UTC. Use this as a shortlisting aid; the official call text remains authoritative.

Related calls

These funding calls are closely related and may be worth considering as part of the same funding landscape.

Official source text

Fine print from the EU source record. Expand when you need the original wording.

Topic description

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Development of solutions integrating 5G networks, supported by advanced signal processing techniques (e.g. AI-Enhanced Signal Processing) to improve the accuracy of PNT systems, as GNSS backup solutions to enhance resilience in contested environments, including filtering noise and interference from signals to enhance the precision of location data, and appropriate post-quantum cryptographic measures to enhance resilience against emerging threats. Integration with Other Technologies: Development of solutions leveraging Internet of Things (sensors, communication signals, AI-enhanced processing), and other sensing techniques to provide redundant and resilient navigation solutions and to enhance capabilities and applications, especially at low altitude airspace. E-conspicuity: Definition of mobile communication performance requirements for e-conspicuity, assessment of network performance and determination of minimum availability requirements for mobile telephony for collision to support collision avoidance for a drone and manned aircraft. Analysis of policy and regulatory aspects to better understand the legal and regulatory issues surrounding the deployment and use of PNT systems, including concerns related to privacy, spectrum management, international cooperation, and harmonisation of regulatory frameworks and shared technologies. Scope: Today’s Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services are primarily provided through Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) that tend to have weak signals and are vulnerable to jamming and spoofing. This topic addresses alternative PNT methods that are essential to provide fallback options in case of GNSS signal loss or degradation. Great benefit is expected through integration of PNT technology with rapidly emerging technologies, such as 5G/6G and Internet of Things (IoT). The aim is to investigate innovative solutions for PNT – including the impact on the regulatory framework, integrating advanced 5G technologies and IoT to act as complementary, redundant, secure and resilient navigation solutions for aviation, including UAS, in challenging environments. The topic also addresses e-conspicuity, aiming to enhance pilot awareness notably at lower altitudes in U-space airspace in order to reduces collision risk in general aviation, where most small aircraft rely on see-and-avoid. Mobile telephony, with minimum network performance requirements, can provide a safe, affordable communication solution for U-space entry and flight safety. null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL.

Destination

This Destination includes activities addressing safe and smart mobility services for passengers and goods. This Destination contributes directly to the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations ‘ Green transition ’, ‘ Digital transition ’ and ‘ A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe ’. In line with the Strategic Plan, the overall expected impact of this Destination is to contribute to the ‘Multimodal systems and services for climate-neutral, smart and safe mobility’ . The main impacts to be generated by topics under this Destination are: Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) Improved mobility for people and goods in all weather conditions, ensuring safe, shared, inclusive, affordable, attractive, and accessible door-to-door mobility, for private and public transport in mixed traffic and confined areas, as well as open roads. Seamless integration of CCAM solutions into existing transport ecosystems to ensure interoperability, promote multimodality, enhance traffic safety, catering to diverse user needs and behaviours. Resilient, climate-neutral, and sustainable mobility solutions with reduced carbon footprints, resulting in greener, less congested, cost-effective, and demand-responsive transport systems. Increased competitiveness of the transport system using secure and hyper-advanced technologies such as real-time perception, situational awareness, and decision-making systems, based on trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (including Edge and Generative AI), satellite navigation, smart traffic management, and tools for software development for CCAM applications. Multimodal and sustainable transport systems for passengers and goods Enhanced resilience of transport networks through improved operational efficiency for both passenger and intermodal freight transport, future-proofed mobility systems supporting EU competitiveness while ensuring affordable and accessible transport for all passengers. Safety and resilience Drastic reduction in road fatalities for all types of users, especially on rural areas Improved resilience of the public transport system via the use of AI Advanced technologies and methods for improved reliability in complex environments for aviation Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination. For additional information please see “Restrictions on the participation of legal entities established in China” found in General Annex B of the General Annexes.

Conditions and documents

General conditions

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout

described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).

In line with the “restriction on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas” delineated in General Annex B of the General Annexes, entities established in an eligible country but which are directly or indirectly controlled by China or by a legal entity established in China are not eligible to participate in the action.

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion

described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds

are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes

are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement

described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants

The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].

described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions

Not applicable.

Support information

Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant. Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe. Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management. Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular. National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’). Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding. IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc. European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers. Partner Search help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.

Raw budget overview
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