Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe
ACARE
The missions of ACARE are to: - Establish a network for strategic advise on sustainable aviation comprising all European stakeholders, - Develop and maintain a roadmap to implement the European aviation vision 'Fly the Green Deal', - Make strategic and operational recommendations to achieve the goals of 'Fly the Green Deal', - Monitor its implementation at European and national levels, - Maintain links with the relevant technology sectors, other transport modes and European initiatives regarding sustainable aviation - Facilitate stakeholder co-operation in Europe and internationally, as well as aviation representation at events and forums. ACARE structure consists of a General Assembly and ACARE Groups.
ID: 593578344195-77
Lobbying Activity
Response to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for competitiveness
7 Nov 2025
ACARE is a unique, open, independent aviation European expert platform that considers national and global developments. As such it represents the voice of European aviation stakeholders providing holistic, balanced, cross-sector advice from and for aviation. Below are main considerations of ACARE in regards of the proposed MFF, ECF and next HEU regulations. The detail analysis can be found attached ACARE wishes to underline the following positive items below 1.Setting up HEU as a self-standing programme with its own regulation, integrated within the ECF and with an overall HEU budget of at least 175bn 2.Funding the entire R&I chain with suitable instruments 3.Continuing collaborative research and partnerships, facilitating cross-border and cross-disciplinary cooperation 4.Including Technology Infrastructures under Pillar 4 5.Preserving HEUs familiar items: excellence as an evaluation criterion, actions and instruments 6.Implementing aviation moonshot project Strategic Recognition & Dedicated Funding ACARE urges the EC to explicitly designate aviation as a strategic sector in the upcoming strategic framework and within the "competitiveness compass". A dedicated and predictable stream of funding for aviation R&I within the next HEU, including industrialization, is essential. Long-term vision and financial predictability are fundamental to maintain Europes leadership in the aviation sector and to secure its R&D ecosystem competitiveness Framework & Coordination between HEU&ECF A coordinated approach covering the full industrial value chain and all TRLs is critical. HEU and the ECF must be strongly linked, especially for key enablers like SAF. This alignment must not create undue complexity or barriers, particularly for SMEs and newcomers Simplification While welcoming simplification efforts -like streamlined application processes and reduced time-to-grant - ACARE cautions against a default lump sum funding model, especially for complex, risky, and big consortia. The objective should remain the co-creation of a work programme and the overall relevance and efficiency of the process for all stakeholders Full R&I Chain and Accessibility Support for the entire R&I chain, from basic research to market deployment and the full innovation life cycle, must be clearly demonstrated and supported by funding instruments. Accessibility should be ensured for all stakeholders and mechanisms must be in place to allow diverse and smaller scale innovators to participate equally as large entities Dual Use Recognizing that technology is often agnostic regarding civilian or military applications, particularly at low TRLs, ACARE warns against creating artificial dual use boundaries. It suggests easing civil-to-military innovation flows, while remaining mindful of export control rules, which is an exclusive Member States competence, and overall, the principle of clear governance must be maintained. Collaboration ACARE emphasizes the need to strengthen collaborative research funding under HEU, balancing bottom-up, long-term research and more targeted, partnership-based projects.This collaboration at all levels must provide opportunity to impactful participation from all stakeholders. Access from Associated Countries and entities, that can contribute to HEU and ECF objectives, should be driven by clear and strict rules. Moonshots Clarity is needed regarding the purpose, design, funding, governance, and long-term orientation of envisaged Aviation moonshot project, including budget allocations and stakeholder contributions to ensure the broadest involvement. JUs CAJU and SESAR JU have different contents and stakeholders and are not suitable for merging ACARE proposed contributions ACARE is a trusted and longstanding partner for the EU Institutions and offers its insights during the whole legislative process on the MFF and, during its implementation, to create the SRIA and to represent the aviation sector in the "strategic Stakeholders board" of ECF
Read full responseResponse to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for competitiveness
7 Nov 2025
ACARE is a unique, open, independent aviation European expert platform that considers national and global developments. As such it represents the voice of European aviation stakeholders providing holistic, balanced, cross-sector advice from and for aviation. Below are main considerations of ACARE in regards of the proposed MFF, ECF and next HEU regulations. The detail analysis can be found attached ACARE wishes to underline the following positive items below 1.Setting up HEU as a self-standing programme with its own regulation, integrated within the ECF and with an overall HEU budget of at least 175bn 2.Funding the entire R&I chain with suitable instruments 3.Continuing collaborative research and partnerships, facilitating cross-border and cross-disciplinary cooperation 4.Including Technology Infrastructures under Pillar 4 5.Preserving HEUs familiar items: excellence as an evaluation criterion, actions and instruments 6.Implementing aviation moonshot project Strategic Recognition & Dedicated Funding ACARE urges the EC to explicitly designate aviation as a strategic sector in the upcoming strategic framework and within the "competitiveness compass". A dedicated and predictable stream of funding for aviation R&I within the next HEU, including industrialization, is essential. Long-term vision and financial predictability are fundamental to maintain Europes leadership in the aviation sector and to secure its R&D ecosystem competitiveness Framework & Coordination between HEU&ECF A coordinated approach covering the full industrial value chain and all TRLs is critical. HEU and the ECF must be strongly linked, especially for key enablers like SAF. This alignment must not create undue complexity or barriers, particularly for SMEs and newcomers Simplification While welcoming simplification efforts -like streamlined application processes and reduced time-to-grant - ACARE cautions against a default lump sum funding model, especially for complex, risky, and big consortia. The objective should remain the co-creation of a work programme and the overall relevance and efficiency of the process for all stakeholders Full R&I Chain and Accessibility Support for the entire R&I chain, from basic research to market deployment and the full innovation life cycle, must be clearly demonstrated and supported by funding instruments. Accessibility should be ensured for all stakeholders and mechanisms must be in place to allow diverse and smaller scale innovators to participate equally as large entities Dual Use Recognizing that technology is often agnostic regarding civilian or military applications, particularly at low TRLs, ACARE warns against creating artificial dual use boundaries. It suggests easing civil-to-military innovation flows, while remaining mindful of export control rules, which is an exclusive Member States competence, and overall, the principle of clear governance must be maintained. Collaboration ACARE emphasizes the need to strengthen collaborative research funding under HEU, balancing bottom-up, long-term research and more targeted, partnership-based projects.This collaboration at all levels must provide opportunity to impactful participation from all stakeholders. Access from Associated Countries and entities, that can contribute to HEU and ECF objectives, should be driven by clear and strict rules. Moonshots Clarity is needed regarding the purpose, design, funding, governance, and long-term orientation of envisaged Aviation moonshot project, including budget allocations and stakeholder contributions to ensure the broadest involvement. JUs CAJU and SESAR JU have different contents and stakeholders and are not suitable for merging ACARE proposed contributions ACARE is a trusted and longstanding partner for the EU Institutions and offers its insights during the whole legislative process on the MFF and, during its implementation, to create the SRIA and to represent the aviation sector in the "strategic Stakeholders board" of ECF
Read full responseResponse to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for competitiveness
7 Nov 2025
ACARE is a unique, open, independent aviation European expert platform that considers national and global developments. As such it represents the voice of European aviation stakeholders providing holistic, balanced, cross-sector advice from and for aviation. Below are main considerations of ACARE in regards of the proposed MFF, ECF and next HEU regulations. The detail analysis can be found attached ACARE wishes to underline the following positive items below 1.Setting up HEU as a self-standing programme with its own regulation, integrated within the ECF and with an overall HEU budget of at least 175bn 2.Funding the entire R&I chain with suitable instruments 3.Continuing collaborative research and partnerships, facilitating cross-border and cross-disciplinary cooperation 4.Including Technology Infrastructures under Pillar 4 5.Preserving HEUs familiar items: excellence as an evaluation criterion, actions and instruments 6.Implementing aviation moonshot project Strategic Recognition & Dedicated Funding ACARE urges the EC to explicitly designate aviation as a strategic sector in the upcoming strategic framework and within the "competitiveness compass". A dedicated and predictable stream of funding for aviation R&I within the next HEU, including industrialization, is essential. Long-term vision and financial predictability are fundamental to maintain Europes leadership in the aviation sector and to secure its R&D ecosystem competitiveness Framework & Coordination between HEU&ECF A coordinated approach covering the full industrial value chain and all TRLs is critical. HEU and the ECF must be strongly linked, especially for key enablers like SAF. This alignment must not create undue complexity or barriers, particularly for SMEs and newcomers Simplification While welcoming simplification efforts -like streamlined application processes and reduced time-to-grant - ACARE cautions against a default lump sum funding model, especially for complex, risky, and big consortia. The objective should remain the co-creation of a work programme and the overall relevance and efficiency of the process for all stakeholders Full R&I Chain and Accessibility Support for the entire R&I chain, from basic research to market deployment and the full innovation life cycle, must be clearly demonstrated and supported by funding instruments. Accessibility should be ensured for all stakeholders and mechanisms must be in place to allow diverse and smaller scale innovators to participate equally as large entities Dual Use Recognizing that technology is often agnostic regarding civilian or military applications, particularly at low TRLs, ACARE warns against creating artificial dual use boundaries. It suggests easing civil-to-military innovation flows, while remaining mindful of export control rules, which is an exclusive Member States competence, and overall, the principle of clear governance must be maintained. Collaboration ACARE emphasizes the need to strengthen collaborative research funding under HEU, balancing bottom-up, long-term research and more targeted, partnership-based projects.This collaboration at all levels must provide opportunity to impactful participation from all stakeholders. Access from Associated Countries and entities, that can contribute to HEU and ECF objectives, should be driven by clear and strict rules. Moonshots Clarity is needed regarding the purpose, design, funding, governance, and long-term orientation of envisaged Aviation moonshot project, including budget allocations and stakeholder contributions to ensure the broadest involvement. JUs CAJU and SESAR JU have different contents and stakeholders and are not suitable for merging ACARE proposed contributions ACARE is a trusted and longstanding partner for the EU Institutions and offers its insights during the whole legislative process on the MFF and, during its implementation, to create the SRIA and to represent the aviation sector in the "strategic Stakeholders board" of ECF
Read full responseResponse to ReFuelEU Aviation - Sustainable Aviation Fuels
18 Nov 2021
This feedback is sent in on behalf of the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and innovation in Europe (ACARE). ACARE provides a network for strategic research in aeronautics and air transport so that aviation satisfies the needs of society and secures global leadership for Europe in this important sector. ACARE members cover the entire research and innovation chain from basic research via technology development up to the final product including certification, production, maintenance and operation. New technologies, processes and products should aim to reduce the climate impact of aviation and thus support the Green Deal goals for aviation as already outlined in FlightPath2050 and ACARE’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA).
Further ACARE notes that A4E, ACI, ASD, ERA and CANSO[1], have highlighted in their joint Destination2050 roadmap to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This roadmap includes a major contribution from Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is tied to the development of industrial production capacity and strongly influenced by a supportive long-term policy framework.
ACARE welcomes the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative, as it supports the acceleration of availability and affordability of SAFs. The proposal is an important first step towards the decarbonization of aviation, which can be further enhanced, as SAFs have the potential to both significantly reduce net aviation CO2 and non-CO2 emissions.
The attached paper provides further feedback from ACARE on specific aspects of the proposed regulation including: incorporation targets, airport definition, accounting framework, SAF Alliance, accompanying measures and links with ICAO.
ACARE will be pleased to respond to any questions or clarifications arising from this submission.
Read full responseMeeting with Henrik Hololei (Director-General Mobility and Transport)
27 Sept 2021 · sustainable aviation