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Exceptional response to the Catalyst Fund second call

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

We are proud to o announce that the second call for the Engage 2 Catalyst Fund, which closed on 2nd February 2026, has received an extraordinary response. A total of 27 applications were submitted, a remarkable figure that highlights the incredible innovation and potential within our research community.

This high volume of proposals demonstrates the need for initiatives like the Catalyst Fund in driving the future of aviation. We are now entering the evaluation phase, where our Awards Board will assess each submission against rigorous standards of excellence. We want to thank all the consortia who submitted their visions for the future of ATM. The sheer quality and quantity of applications reinforce our commitment to supporting the next generation of aerospace research.

For further details on the Catalyst Fund, visit the Wiki: https://wikiengagektn.com/catalyst-projects/

The evaluation process

To ensure a fair and high-quality selection, all proposals will be evaluated based on four key criteria. For a proposal to remain eligible, it must meet a minimum threshold of 7/10 in every category. The final ranking will be determined by applying specific weightings to these scores:

  1. Impact: explicitly defined impact on, and relevance to, ATM (including U-space/UAS).
    Threshold: 7/10 – Weighting: 30%
  2. Innovation: contribution to advancing the state of the art, maturing TRLs, or improving concept application.
    Threshold: 7/10 – Weighting: 25%
  3. Quality: strength of the research plan, success measures, and the consortium’s relevant experience.
    Threshold: 7/10 – Weighting: 25%
  4. Integration: meaningful consultation and engagement with industry members (excluding academia).
    Threshold: 7/10 – Weighting: 20%
How the projects will be selected

Once the eligible proposals are ranked, the Awards Board will follow a structured funding allocation:

  1. Thematic priority. Initially, provided they fall within the top 75th percentile, funding will be awarded to two proposals for each of Thematic Challenges 1 and 2, and one proposal for each of Thematic Challenges 3 and 4.
  2. Open ranking. The remaining proposals (including “open” topics) will be funded strictly by their rank order.
  3. Final decisions. In the event of a tie, the Board will vote, with the Chair holding the casting vote.

Engage 2 announces second Catalyst call at SESAR Innovation Days 2025

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Engage 2 will launch its second call for Catalyst Fund Projects at the upcoming SESAR Innovation Days 2025. The Catalyst Funds are designed to rapidly mature exploratory research, bridging the gap between innovative concepts and industrial application within ATM. Following the success of the first call, which funded seven ambitious projects, this second wave of funding will continue to support focused projects that align with the programme’s key thematic challenges, as well as open, innovative proposals.

More detailed information, including the official call text, application guidelines, and thematic priorities, will be published shortly on the dedicated Engage 2 Wiki where you can also explore descriptions of all past Catalyst Projects.

The call will provide financial support and access to industrial collaboration environments, thereby accelerating the development of promising ideas toward higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Projects are expected to demonstrate an original contribution to the state of the art, addressing critical challenges such as climate impact mitigation, disruptive ATM system modernisation, and the integration of new entrants.

To ensure you do not miss the call opening and receive the latest updates, follow Engage 2 on LinkedIn and subscribe to our official newsletter.

Engage 2 opens second wave of support for Master’s students in ATM

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The Engage 2 project is launching the second wave of its support programme for Master’s students interested in developing their thesis in the field of ATM. This initiative aims to identify motivated and talented students and guide them throughout their academic journey, from the early planning stages of their thesis up to post-graduation career discussions. Selected students will benefit from tailored guidance and opportunities, including:

  • Assistance with thesis topic identification. Within a wide range of ATM areas, the Engage 2 consortium offers access to diverse fields of expertise to help students define and shape their research.
  • Peer review and mentoring. Each student will be assigned a mentor who will provide regular feedback on the technical content of the work, helping ensure quality, coherence, and relevance.
  • Career path discussions. Upon completion of their thesis, students will have the chance to engage in one-to-one sessions with Engage 2 experts to explore career paths and make informed decisions about their professional future.

The programme facilitates networking opportunities with ATM professionals and can open doors to future career prospects. Some students may also receive financial support to attend major industry events such as the SESAR Innovation Days and Airspace World, or even undertake internships with CANSO member organisations.

Eligibity criteria and how to apply

Interested students are invited to:

  1. Complete the application form available here
  2. Send an email to engage2-coordinator@dblue.it using the subject line “MSc students opportunity” to formalise the application

To apply for the Engage 2 MSc support programme, candidates must:

  • Be currently enrolled in a Master’s degree at a university or college within the European Union, EU Candidate or Potential Candidate Countries, or the European Economic Area
  • Have identified an internal academic supervisor within their own university
  • Be able to provide an English version of the thesis drafts for review during the programme

Following submission, candidates will be contacted by the Engage 2 consortium to arrange a preliminary interview.

Call for experts: contribute to the future of ATM and CNS Innovation

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The SESAR Joint Undertaking is seeking new experts to support the evaluation of exploratory research and industrial research and validation activities. Two Expressions of Interest are now open for professionals eager to contribute to Europe’s future air traffic management (ATM) and communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) solutions.

📎 Details and application procedure: SESAR JU Call for Experts – ATMCNS Solutions

Experts are invited to apply under the following categories:

  • ER2: evaluation of Exploratory Research projects, which aim to investigate new ideas and concepts at the pre-industrial level;
  • IR3: evaluation of Industrial Research and Validation activities, supporting the transition of promising solutions towards implementation.

Engage 2 encourages its community of researchers, practitioners and innovators to consider this opportunity and help bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and operational excellence.

Engage 2 announces closure of PhD call, we have nine winners!

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Rome, 4 April 2024 – Engage 2 has officially closed its call for PhD proposals aimed at advancing Air Traffic Management ATM across Europe. Launched in December last year, the initiative attracted significant interest from researchers keen to shape the future of ATM systems.

The nine winners have been notified, following the evaluation by the Awards Board. As well as financial support, the PhDs will also benefit from continuous learning opportunities through summer schools and thematic workshops.

The deadline for applications saw a huge number of submissions from individuals and consortia alike. The selection process is now in the hands of the Engage 2 Awards Board, composed of Consortium members, SESAR representatives and industry partners. The Board will carefully evaluate each proposal, taking into account factors such as the impact on ATM, scientific relevance and the quality of the research plan.

Engage announces successful closing of first call for Catalyst Funds, we have the seven winners!

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Engage 2 is happy to announce the successful conclusion of its inaugural Catalyst Funds call. The quality and diversity of the applications reflect the dynamic innovation landscape and the willingness of both researchers and industry partners to work closely together.

The seven winners have been notified. Selected projects will benefit from financial backing and will have the opportunity to work in industry environments. This support is expected to accelerate the development of concepts, bringing them closer to market readiness.

The Catalyst Funds aim to bridge the gap between industry and research, fostering closer links in the early stages of concept development. By supporting promising ideas in their early stages, the programme helps them reach a higher level of maturity and readiness for further development and commercialisation.

Engage 2 extends its gratitude to all participants and looks forward to the continued success of the Catalyst Funds programme in nurturing innovation and industry-research collaboration. Stay tuned for updates on the next Catalyst Funds call!

Engage 2 opens the first call for Catalyst Funding in Air Traffic Management

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Rome, March 11th 2024 –  Catalyst funds provide financial support and access to industry collaboration environments. This fosters closer ties between industry and researchers during the crucial early stages of concept development, helping promising ideas reach higher maturity levels.

The application window opens on 11th March 2024 and closes on 13th May 2024 at 5:00 PM CEST. Selected projects are expected to run for a period of 12 months.

Proposals demonstrating original contributions to ATM are encouraged, either directly addressing a pre-defined thematic challenge (details available on the Engage 2 website) or focusing on open, innovative concepts.

Hot to apply and financial details

Proposals must comprise a project description and a project administrative form. Submissions, including a PDF proposal and the administrative form (MS Word format), should be emailed to engage2-coordinator@dblue.it with the subject line “Catalyst Call”.

In this first wave, Engage 2 offers €480,000 to support innovative projects – a total of €960,000 is available to support innovative ATM projects, split across two Calls. Sixteen focused projects will be awarded in two waves.

The maximum individual project grant is €60,000. Single entities or consortia of 2-4 entities are eligible to apply. Each entity must be located in a country participating in the Horizon Europe grant program. There is no minimum number of countries required for consortia.

For a complete understanding of the evaluation criteria and full details of the Call, please visit the dedicated page on Engage 2 website.

Engage 2 PhD Call deadline extended to April 2, 2024

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Rome, February 21st 2024 –  Engage 2 has announced an extension of the deadline for its PhD call to Tuesday, April 2, 2024. The call invites proposals focusing on the long-term evolution of the European ATM system.

The initiative supports groundbreaking research and collaboration in ATM, focusing on the long-term evolution of the European system. Applicants, whether individual entities or consortia, are encouraged to address a broad range of innovative and interdisciplinary projects. The selection criteria prioritize impact on ATM, scientific relevance, research plan quality, and academic merit. Besides financial support, Engage 2 offers learning opportunities, including summer schools and workshops.

For more information and submission details, visit the link or contact Engage 2 at Engage2-coordinator@dblue.it with the subject line “PhD Call.”

Master’s students: get support and insights from Engage 2

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Rome, January 26th 2024 – Are you an ambitious Master’s student seeking to enhance your academic journey and gain valuable industry insights? If so, we invite you to explore an exciting opportunity to receive tailored support and potentially participate in enriching experiences promoted by Engage 2.

Support for MSc theses and other benefits

We are offering support to university students who are in the process of working on the Master’s thesis, starting from February 2024. This support will encompass various aspects, including:

  • Assistance with thesis topic identification
  • Peer-review of the thesis regarding technical content towards the completion of the drafting process
  • Discussion on potential career paths

To further enrich your academic experience, we are pleased to offer additional benefits to selected students, such as participation in international ATM events and internship opportunities with CANSO members.

Eligibility and application

To submit your application, please contact the Engage 2 coordinator at the email address engage2-coordinator@dblue.it with “MSc students opportunity” in the subject line.

To be eligible, you must be a Master’s student already in the process of working on your thesis, with at least a version available in English for Engage to review, as it develops. The thesis topic must be in the ATM sector but can vary and doesn’t need to be directly related to the thematic challenges of Engage 2.

We encourage you to seize this opportunity to elevate your Master’s experience and gain valuable industry insights.

Engage 2 announces a PhD Call to support European ATM research

Written by marilea on .

Rome, December 18th 2023 – Engage 2 has announced a call for PhDs dedicated to advancing ATM. This initiative will provide an important occasion for supporting researchers in the development of their ideas and contribute to the evolution of the European ATM system.

The deadline for submissions is the 18th of February 2024, and the selection process will be overseen by the Engage 2 Awards Board, comprising consortium members, SESAR representatives, research and industry partners. This initiative represents a significant step in supporting groundbreaking research and collaboration in the field of air traffic management in Europe.

A total of 600.000 euros has been allocated to financially support PhD candidates, with each project being eligible for up to 60.000 euros. This funding will enable researchers to explore innovative ideas, with an emphasis on Engage 2 thematic Challenges as identified through the open call ended in October.

Applicants are encouraged to focus on the long-term evolution of the European ATM system, with proposals expected to include a comprehensive Research plan, financial planning, and the credentials of the academic supervisor. The selection criteria will prioritize impact on ATM, scientific relevance, quality of research plan, and the academic merit of the supervisor.

The call is open to individual entities or consortia, provided that at least one of the entities is an educational establishment authorized to issue PhDs. The research themes are not restricted to the current challenges outlined by Engage 2, allowing for a broad range of innovative and interdisciplinary projects.

In addition to financial support, Engage 2 will offer continuous learning opportunities, including summer schools and thematic workshops. These will enable PhD candidates to present their progress and interact with peers and industry experts, enhancing their research through collaboration and feedback.


For more information and submission details, interested parties can visit this link or contact the Engage 2 coordinator at the email address Engage2-coordinator@dblue.it [using the subject line “PhD Call”].

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