Reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmospheresearch for new fuels which practically eliminate CO2 emissions in future aircraft are some of the objectives of the call for help launched by the University Department, … Research and Innovation was opened for 15 million euros.
These grants, published in BOJA, are intended to finance industrial research or experimental development projects. in the sustainable aviation sector which contribute to offering innovative technological solutions through research and innovation, technology transfer and cooperation between companies and agents of the Andalusian knowledge system.
These incentives are included in the regulatory bases of the “InnovAndalucía” initiative, approved by decree of February 10, 2025, which brings together a total of six aid programs endowed with 59 million euros from the Andalusia FEDER 2021-2027 program to promote commercial and technological innovation in strategic sectors for Andalusia, according to a note from the Junta de Andalucía.
European horizon
The objective of these subsidies is to support the regional ecosystem through the realization of projects contributing to the objectives of the Joint Undertaking Initiative for Clean Aviation, created as part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme.
Clean Aviation is focused on demonstrating revolutionary aviation technologies and innovative concepts that address the next generation of short-medium range (SMR) and regional aircraft. with 30% fewer net greenhouse gas emissions, and entry into service by 2035.
These will be aircraft powered by sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) or hydrogen combined with electric hybridization, thus enabling zero CO2 emissions. in flight when hydrogen is used as a power source or up to a 90% reduction of CO2 emissions when combined with the effect of CAS.
This line of incentives for business innovation projects in the field of sustainable aviation is announced on a competitive basis.
The entities benefiting from this aid are companies that must have an operational establishment in Andalusia at the time of granting the grant, as well as knowledge generating agents, whose participation must represent at least 3% of the eligible budget. The latter must be registered in the Register of Agents of the Andalusian Knowledge System..
The project must be oriented towards the development of sustainable aviation in at least one of the thematic blocks, and within it, at least one specific technical theme of the common roadmap agreed last July between the Junta de Andalucía and Clean Aviation.
The first of these thematic blocks, divided into ten technical themes, refers to a hybrid-electric regional aircraft with 50% increased efficiency compared to with the latest generation aircraft of the year 2020, while the second block, composed of six sub-themes, envisages ultra-efficient and competitive short and medium range (SMR) aircraft, with an increased efficiency of 30% compared to the last generation.
The third theme revolves around technologies based on green hydrogen which allow the development of regional or short/medium range aircraft powered by this chemical element and is structured into ten technical themes.
The projects will have a maximum execution period of 24 months, being the minimum eligible budget per application of 250,000 euros and maximum of five million euros.
These incentives vary, in the case of companies, between 50% and 80% of the eligible budget, depending, among other factors, on the size of the entities.
They can also reach 100% in the case of knowledge-generating agents who do not carry out economic activity.
Companies can participate in this call both individually and cooperatively. In the latter case, a maximum of ten entities can be grouped, including the coordinating entity.
This aid will be used to cover personnel costs, instrument and material costs as well as contractual research, knowledge and patent costs.
In addition, indirect costs, i.e. overhead costs allocated to the project, which by their nature cannot be allocated directly, will be financeable, up to 7% of direct costs.
Requests
Those interested in aid have until March 18, 2026 to submit their application through the general electronic headquarters of the Junta de Andalucía, available at: https://juntadeandalucia.es/servicios/sede/tramites/procedimientos/detalle/25722.html.
The total score that the evaluated proposal can obtain will be between 0 and 100 points, and the evaluation criteria to be applied will be quality (with a maximum score of 40 points), implementation (35 points), impact (15) and history of collaboration with companies of the team or research entity (10 points).
The order of bases which includes the characteristics and requirements to obtain the incentives is aligned with key strategies such as the Smart Specialization Strategy for Sustainability of Andalusia (S4 Andalusia), the R&D&I Strategy of Andalusia (EIDIA) and the Aerospace Strategy of Andalusia.
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