Deadline Date: May 19, 2026
The European Commission supports research and innovation to develop high-performance superconducting motor windings for future fully electric hydrogen fuel cell powered aircraft.
The focus areas, objectives, priorities, and themes include developing a high-performance superconducting alternating current motor design compatible with multi-megawatt hydrogen-powered aircraft, demonstrating integrated and efficient motor windings at TRL5, ensuring reliability through experimental validation aligned with aerospace specifications, addressing certification and environmental conditions, and delivering a roadmap toward TRL6 including safety and certification aspects for future aircraft integration.
The project aims to design and demonstrate superconducting alternating current motor windings capable of supporting a 2MW class motor, including associated electrical and cryogenic cooling architectures. It emphasises optimised winding geometries for efficiency and robustness, along with manufacturing methods that ensure reliability and scalability.
The total indicative funding budget for the topic is EUR 5 million, with up to one project expected to be funded, and the EU contribution per project may reach up to EUR 5 million. The action type is Research and Innovation Actions with a maximum project duration of 24 months. Eligibility to coordinate the project is limited to universities, research and technology organisations, and SMEs, with consortia expected to demonstrate strong expertise in aeronautics and innovation, while also incorporating new and disruptive capabilities through collaboration with additional partners such as start-ups and research centres.
For more information, visit European Commission.
