CFAs: Advanced FC Techno-Bricks for Hydrogen Electric Aircraft

The focus areas, objectives, and priorities include developing a compact and lightweight 2.5MW fuel cell propulsion system, achieving TRL 5 at component and sub-system level and TRL 4 at system level, advancing hydrogen-powered aircraft concepts for entry into service in the 2040s, enabling high system efficiency and power density, ensuring hydrogen safety and leakage management, supporting certification readiness and industrialisation pathways, and strengthening collaboration across the aviation value chain.

Projects are expected to run for a maximum duration of 48 months under the Innovation Action framework. At the start of the project, technologies must demonstrate at least TRL 4 at component and sub-system level, supported by synergies with prior national or European research initiatives.

The expected outcomes include demonstrating a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system capable of delivering 2.5MW net electrical power through virtual system integration, alongside physical validation of critical components and sub-systems. They are required to define and validate system architectures, manufacturing processes, and verification strategies while ensuring compliance with hydrogen safety requirements, including leakage detection and mitigation.

The programme provides a maximum EU contribution of EUR 50 million per topic and per project, with only one project expected to be funded depending on evaluation outcomes and complementarity. Proposals exceeding this funding limit will be considered non-eligible. A key eligibility requirement is that at least 15% of the total EU contribution must be allocated to Small and Medium Enterprises, Research and Technology Organisations, and/or universities with beneficiary status, in accordance with Horizon Europe rules across EU Member States and associated countries.

For more information, visit European Commission.