Skip to main content

Tag: Aviation

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.

Highlights from SESAR Innovation Days 2025

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The Engage 2 consortium made a significant impact at the 2025 SESAR Innovation Days (SIDs), held from 1-4 December in Lake Bled, Slovenia. As the flagship event for Europe’s ATM research community, this year’s conference highlighted collaboration as the “secret sauce” behind ATM transformation, a theme that resonates deeply with Engage 2’s mission to bridge the gap between academia and the aviation industry.

Championing young talents

Since 2023, Engage 2 has been dedicated to cultivating young talent in the ATM domain and this commitment was on full display in Bled. The project supported the attendance of three of its seven funded PhD candidates, along with an MSc student who has successfully navigated the sector with the guidance of Engage 2 mentors.

Their presence demonstrated to the wider SESAR community the consortium’s proactive approach to creating opportunities for early-career researchers. By facilitating these connections, Engage 2 continues to foster links between the next generation of innovators and the established aviation industry.

Leadership in technical sessions and expanding the knowledge hub

Beyond supporting students, Engage 2 partners played a central role in the event’s technical programme. Many partners served as moderators for various technical sessions throughout the convention, underscoring the high profile and expertise of the network’s researchers within the European ATM landscape.

During the plenary session, the Engage 2 Coordinator took the stage to highlight the project’s tangible achievements. Key milestones presented included the seven funded PhDs and the series of successful joint events organised across different projects, as well as the continuous popularity of the Wiki, the platform that will host the technical papers from this year’s SIDs edition, alongside archives from previous years. This initiative reinforces the Wiki’s status as a central repository for ATM knowledge, ensuring that the research shared at Lake Bled remains accessible to the community.

Advancing AI in ATM: joint dissemination event

Following the main conference, Slovenian week ended on December 5th with a joint final dissemination event titled “AI-based innovation in ATM: enhancing efficiency, trust and safety.”This event focused on the final results and achievements of four SESAR-supported exploratory research projects (TRUSTY, ASTRA, SynthAIr and CODA-ATC). Bringing together a total of 63 participants (21 onsite and 42 joining online), the session provided a platform to showcase innovations aimed at improving the European ATM network. Attendees engaged directly with project teams to learn about tested AI-based solutions, specifically in enhancing air traffic control efficiency; building operator trust in autonomous and AI-driven systems; ensuring the highest standards of safety in a digitalised airspace.

About SESAR Innovation Days

Hosted by Pipistrel and the University of Ljubljana, the 2025 SESAR Innovation Days brought together 450 leading researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to discuss the future of the Digital European Sky. For more information on the event and its outcomes, visit the SESAR Joint Undertaking news page.

The Engage 2 Matchmaking App enters its testing phase

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

We are excited to introduce the new testing version of the Engage 2 Ma tchmaking App, a dedicated community designed for everyone who wants to explore and learn about the aviation world. Whether you are a student, an enthusiast, or a professional, this platform offers a focused environment where information is clear and networking feels purposeful.

Download now

Android: Google Play Store

iOS: App Store

The app brings together tools to help you connect, learn, and explore. It allows you to discover aviation-focused content and connect with others through interest-based matches.

Any feedback? Fill this form and tell us about your experience!

What you can do

  • Connect through Matches: Find people with similar aviation interests or goals and start meaningful conversations.
  • Explore Companies & Universities: Access official profiles to discover industry insights, view academic programs, and connect with verified representatives.
  • See Relevant Content: Filter your feed to see posts connected specifically to your focus areas.
  • Collaborate & Grow: Share experiences, ask questions, and engage with a community built around aviation knowledge.

Whether you are preparing for a career, exploring study options, or expanding your network, this platform helps you stay connected to the heart of aviation.

24-25 February 2026, workshop in Athens. Passenger-Centric Digital Airports & Multimodality

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

We are pleased to invite the SESAR community to Athens for a two-day event dedicated to transforming airport operations and enhancing multimodal transport connectivity. Co-organized by Engage 2, FASTNet, JARVIS and AIA – Athens International Airport, which hosts the event celebrating its 25th anniversary, this event will bring together industry experts and SESAR projects to share insights on the “Digital European Sky” vision.

Event details:

  • Date: 24–25 February 2026
  • Location: Sofitel Athens Airport, Greece
Register NOW
Check the brochure with the AGENDA

Day 1: Workshop on Thematic Challenge #2. The first day is dedicated to a deep dive into Thematic Challenge #2: Passenger-centric digital airport. Discussions will revolve around the concept of the data-centric airport, specifically analyzing passenger dynamics and movements within airport premises, and the implementation of virtual queuing systems.

Participants will engage in round-table discussions covering three critical clusters:

  • Passenger Experience
  • Operator Experience
  • Environmental Impact

Day 2: FASTNet Demo & Airport Visit. The second day offers a practical look at emerging solutions. Attendees will witness the FASTNet project demonstration, featuring operational concepts and validation results (Solutions 0346 & 0347). The event will conclude with an exclusive visit to the Athens International Airport, providing a real-world backdrop to our discussions on multimodal integration.

From inspiration to action: Engage 2 fuels the next generation of aviation talent at Aviation 4 Girls 2025

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Engage 2 was proud to participate in the successful Aviation 4 Girls (A4G) 2025 event, hosted at EUROCONTROL HQ on November 10, 2025.

The event welcomed nearly 200 young participants from over 20 nationalities on-site, with an additional 400+ livestream viewers joining remotely. Through captivating stories, live demonstrations and hands-on workshops, participants discovered the magic and limitless possibilities within aviation. The feedback from the attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many leaving inspired to pursue careers in the industry, a testament to the impact of all the partners involved.

Highlighting future careers and innovation

In collaboration with AviAll – Aviation for All, Engage 2 played a role in showcasing the diverse career paths within ATM and the broader aviation ecosystem. We presented our Job Cards, offering the young audience a tangible look at the wide variety of roles available, helping to break down stereotypes and make the sector more accessible. Furthermore, attendees were given an exclusive first look at the matchmaking app, currently under development. This innovative tool is designed to help connect talent with opportunities, ensuring the next generation of professionals can easily find their place and thrive in the industry. The participation of Engage 2 and AviAll underscores a shared commitment to fostering a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce that will shape the future of aviation.

Engage 2 joins “Aviation for Girls 2025 – Girls in Command”

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

On Monday 10 November, Engage 2 will take part in Aviation for Girls 2025 – Girls in Command, an inspiring event dedicated to encouraging young women to explore careers in aviation organised by AviAll, the association founded in 2021 by Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) practitioners from across the aviation industry, working together to build a more diverse and inclusive sector.. 

As part of our commitment to fostering the next generation of aviation professionals, Engage 2 will bring its Inspirational Tour activity and a selection of Job Cards designed to showcase the wide variety of roles and career paths within Air Traffic Management and aviation.

Through these interactive materials, we aim to break stereotypes, promote inclusion, and empower young women to imagine themselves as future innovators, engineers, controllers, and leaders in the aviation domain.

This participation aligns with Engage 2’s broader mission to connect knowledge, people, and opportunities across the aviation research community, ensuring that the sky of tomorrow is open to everyone.

SESAR-supported projects to host a joint final dissemination event on AI-Based ATM Innovation

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The final results and achievements of the SESAR-supported exploratory research projects TRUSTY, ASTRA, SynthAIr, CODA-ATC, alongside the transversal project Engage 2, will be presented at a joint final dissemination event focused on the application of AI in ATM. Registration is mandatory for both on-site and online attendance, register now.

Agenda

Event information

Date: 5th December 2025

Location: Rikli Balance Hotel, Lake Bled, Slovenia

Time: 9:00 – 14:00 CET

Format: Hybrid (On-site and Online)

The event “AI-based innovation in ATM: enhancing efficiency, trust and safety” will showcase innovations aimed at improving efficiency, trust and safety across the European ATM network. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the project teams and learn about the tested AI-based solutions in areas such as enhancing air traffic control efficiency, building operator trust in autonomous and AI-driven systems and ensuring the highest standards of safety in a digitalised airspace.

This joint event underscores the collaborative effort within the SESAR framework to accelerate the delivery of the Digital European Sky through high-value research and innovation.

The detailed agenda and the online connection details will be distributed to registered participants in the coming weeks.

Engage 2 at EASN International Conference 2025

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The Engage 2 project successfully showcased its efforts in shaping the future of the aviation workforce during the recent EASN International Conference. The project’s participation reinforced its commitment to bridging the gap between academic training and industry requirements through strategic initiatives and collaborative partner efforts.

A key highlight of Engage 2’s presence at the conference was the dedicated presentation of its innovative Job Cards and interactive videos. These resources, which are crucial for defining and communicating the skills needed in the modern aviation sector, were presented thanks to the invaluable support of the SESAR organisation. The Job Cards generated lots of interest, demonstrating a clear demand for structured educational and career development tools within the European aerospace research community.

The second Engage 2 Open day

Beyond the main conference activities, the project partner EASN played an important role in promoting young talent engagement. EASN organised the Second Open Day as part of the Students & Young Researchers Networking Event: Shaping the future workforce of the Aviation Sector. This dedicated networking event provided a dynamic platform for more than 130 participants, including students and young professionals, to connect with leading researchers and industry experts.

The fire-side chat event was orchestrated by Dimitri Mavris and Prajwal Shiva Prakasha, who commenced the event with an inspiring talk on “Navigating a Sky of Opportunities: The Career Journey in Aerospace Real experiences. Real challenges. Real inspiration.” The event, which took place at the glamorous Domo of the Universidad Politécnica De Madrid, and was followed by a networking session with several elite senior professionals in the aerospace sector, who initiated interactive discussions and mentorship opportunities on career options and opportunities. Marcello Kivel Mazuy, representing SESAR JU, specifically acted as a mentor for Engage 2 Open Day during this event, actively engaging with the participating audience, and guiding the young researchers on the pathways that can help in career enhancement within the ATM sector. 

The Open Day event is central to Engage 2’s dissemination strategy, directly fostering the next generation of aviation specialists. 

The success of the Open Day was warmly received by the attendees. Reflecting on the event’s importance, Marcello Kivel Mazuy – RTD and Innovation Manager at SESAR – stated: It was an honour and a burden for me! Guiding and mentoring the next generation of aeronautic experts was a great challenge because we will rely on their passion and work. This is what I told to all… be yourself, enjoy your work, and live with passion each single day! This is what will really change our lives! Your energy and engagement! I will always be your best fan! Enjoy the future, it’s yours!

The comprehensive participation in the EASN International Conference marked a significant milestone for the Engage 2 project, strengthening its outreach and underscoring the critical role it plays in advancing aviation skills and competence across Europe.

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.