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Innovative air mobility and services for sustainable and smart urban, peri-urban transport – Societal Readiness pilot

Funds two projects, worth up to EUR 5 million each, testing drone cargo delivery in cities and building the planning rules cities need to allow it.

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This Research and Innovation Action from the European Commission funds two projects, worth up to EUR 5 million each in EU contribution, to test drone cargo delivery in cities and build the planning rules cities need to allow it. The topic lists eleven possible strands of work -- from an infrastructure roadmap and vertiport-integration guidelines to noise and downwash assessments, cargo-delivery de

The Commission wants projects that build the planning tools, infrastructure guidelines and public-acceptance groundwork cities need for drone-based urban air mobility, focused mainly on urban logistics rather than passenger flights. Proposals must run real drone cargo-delivery demonstrations, assess noise and downwash impacts near vertiports, work with city authorities on integrating drone infrastructure into transport plans, and, as a Societal Readiness pilot, bring in social-science expertise alongside the engineering.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€10M

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