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Tag: Engage 2

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.

A week of learning and collaboration in Braunschweig

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The second edition of the Engage 2 Summer School took place from 22 to 26 September 2025 in Braunschweig, Germany, hosted by Technische Universität Braunschweig. The event gathered 20 participants from across Europe, selected from 41 expressions of interest, to explore key research themes in ATM and foster collaboration among early-career researchers and professionals.

According to Thomas Feuerle, responsible for the organisation of the event: The Engage 2 Summer School 2025 in Braunschweig went very well from my perspective. We had more than 20 participants from all over Europe. The spirit was very open and we had many good discussions, not only after the presentations, but also within the different breaks or at the social event. The broad bandwidth of presentations clearly showed the complexity of the ATM system. I am very happy with the five intensive days, with the quality of the presentations, the engagement of the participants and the feedback I received so far.

The programme combined lectures from leading institutions – including TU Delft, the University of Trieste, the University of Westminster, TU Braunschweig, and EUROCONTROL – with presentations from PhD candidates, six of whom are directly involved in Engage 2. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, from modelling and simulation techniques to system-level challenges in ATM research.

Feedback collected from participants confirmed the high quality of the event’s content and organisation. The majority rated the overall experience, communication, and logistics between 4 and 5 out of 5, describing the Summer School as a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and build networks across the ATM research community. Participants particularly appreciated the diversity of topics and the openness of discussions, noting that the format encouraged active interaction and peer learning. Many expressed interest in attending future editions, highlighting the Summer School as a key event for knowledge sharing and professional growth in the field of ATM research.

Suggestions for future improvement included dedicating more time to hands-on sessions and practical case studies, alongside the existing mix of lectures and PhD presentations. The Summer School once again demonstrated Engage 2’s commitment to supporting the next generation of researchers and strengthening the links between academia, industry, and institutional stakeholders in the SESAR research framework.

Engage 2 at the15th EASN International Conference with the second Open day on the 16th October

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Engage 2 will partecipate in the forthcoming 15th EASN International Conference. This high-profile event is a gathering for experts, researchers, industry leaders, academics and policymakers from around the world, and this year is set to feature a significant ATM presence.

Thanks to the direct involvement of our partner, EASN, this conference will be the setting of the second Open Day, as part of the Students & Young Researchers Networking event, on “Shaping the future workforce of the Aviation Sector”.

The event will serve as a strategic opportunity to reach a wide audience of early-career professionals and students. The session, which will take place on October 16, will involve approximately 100 students, organised into small groups (5–10 participants each), engaging with 10–15 expert mentors from various sectors of the aerospace domain. These mentors, drawn from both academia and industry, will deliver brief, impactful talks and facilitate informal discussions to highlight diverse career paths, with a particular emphasis on ATM and Airport operations. The day will conclude with a relaxed networking event designed to promote further exchanges.

Furthermore, Engage 2 is proud to be one of the projects showcased at the SESAR booth. We will be sharing key materials and insights, such as our job cards, videos, and other valuable resources, demonstrating our impact on the aviation sector.

Girls in Aviation Day 2025 will inspire the next generation

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The 11th Annual Girls in Aviation Day, an event hosted by Women in Aviation International (WAI), is set to take place on September 20, 2025. This annual initiative is designed to introduce girls to the many career opportunities available in the aviation and aerospace industries.

Since its inception in 2015, Girls in Aviation Day has grown significantly, fostering a global community of young women and their mentors. The event is a key part of WAI’s mission to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals and pilots.

In line with its commitment to fostering a more diverse and equitable industry, Engage 2 will be sharing news of this inspiring event. The project continues to place a strong emphasis on promoting equal opportunities and inclusiveness within the ATM and aviation research ecosystem. By highlighting events like Girls in Aviation Day, Engage 2 aims to support initiatives that encourage underrepresented groups to explore and pursue careers in aviation.

Some takeaways from the 2024 edition

The 10th annual Girls in Aviation Day, held on September 21, 2024, was a resounding success, setting new records for participation and global reach. Over 33,000 attendees participated in 194 events across 33 countries. The day’s events provided a wide range of engaging activities, from hands-on projects to career panels with female role models. This continued growth underscores the event’s crucial role in igniting excitement and curiosity in young participants as they explore the world of aviation and aerospace.

First plenary meeting of Engage 2 in Vienna

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The Engage 2 project successfully held its first plenary meeting in Vienna on 4-5 June. Hosted by Frequentis, the meeting was fully attended by all consortium partners. This event provided an important opportunity to review the achievements of the first year of the project.

The meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the project’s first year, highlighting the numerous initiatives that have been successfully completed. These include the launch of the first Call for Catalyst project funding and the PhD funding call. The partners also reviewed the results of various surveys conducted in recent months among industry stakeholders and academic representatives, expecially the insights gathered thanks to the open science survey in the ATM sector.

A key focus of the meeting was laying the groundwork for upcoming activities. The most imminent of these is the first Summer School, which will be held in Belgrade from September 9-13. Additionally, Engage 2’s involvement in the upcoming SESAR Innovation Days, which will take place in Rome from November 12-15, was discussed.

These discussions and planning sessions are crucial for ensuring the continued success and impact of the Engage 2 project as it moves into its next phases.