International exchange and skills development for European aviation research: DLR participation in the EREA Young Researchers Event in Bristol
Early-career researchers from DLR Institutes of Air Transport, Electrified Aero Engines, and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul participated in the EREA Young Researchers Event 2024, hosted in Bristol by the National Composites Centre (NCC). The two-day workshop provided practical insights into the application process for Horizon Europe, the EU funding programme that supports innovative aviation research projects. The event also served as a platform for scientific networking and collaboration among European aviation research institutions.
Credit:
National Composites Centre (NCC)
Developing skills in early-career research
International exchange within the European research community
Supporting Early-Career Researchers in Aviation
Researchers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), including representatives from the Institute of Air Transport, the Institute of Electrified Aero Engines, and the Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, participated in the EREA Young Researchers Event 2024 in Bristol. The event provided them with opportunities to engage with researchers from other European aviation research institutions and take part in a workshop on preparing and evaluating successful Horizon Europe research proposals.
Organised by the Association of European Research Establishments in Aeronautics (EREA) and hosted by the National Composites Centre (NCC), the event welcomed around 30 researchers under the age of 35 from various EREA member countries. Participants gained hands-on insights into the Horizon Europe funding programme.
Skills for Horizon Europe Projects
EREA organises its Young Researchers Event annually to provide practical insights into working on innovative European aviation research projects.
Participants were guided through the steps of applying for Horizon Europe funding and engaged in interactive training sessions to align their projects with EU objectives such as climate neutrality and efficiency improvement. The evaluation process was explored in a practical context: during a moderated exercise, participants analysed sample proposals to understand the criteria that determine EU Commission funding decisions.
Networking in the European Research Network
Beyond its technical content, the EREA Young Researchers Event also provided a platform for international networking and insights into European aviation research. Early-career scientists exchanged ideas with peers from other EREA member organisations, such as the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and the French National Aerospace Research Centre (ONERA).
