The federal aviation research programme LuFo Climate

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) supports numerous research and technology development projects for application in civil aviation in Germany with its civil aviation research programme LuFo Klima.

Objectives of the Federal Aviation research programme

This programme is intended to pursue sustainable goals that are based on the German government's aviation strategy and the guiding principle formulated therein*:

"With its products, the German aviation sector makes a decisive contribution to an environmentally friendly, efficient air transport system, which is an important pillar of the entire economy. As a technology leader, the aviation industry also makes a lasting and significant contribution to value creation in Germany for other sectors."

The funding programme is technologically oriented towards the strategic research agendas of ACARE (SRA) and the objectives defined therein. The BMWE is striving to develop a sustainable and economical air transport system for the future.

The basic aim of the funding measures is to improve the technological basis and the economic and technical situation of the aviation industry and air transport. The focus is on strengthening innovation and expertise in research, development and production in Germany.

The aim is to enable the aviation industry to achieve the goals set out in the aviation strategy within the framework of effective network structures. In the long term, the aim is to create a sustainable and economical air transport system.

What topics are funded?

The object of the funding is research and technology development projects for the entire aircraft system.

The focus of LuFo Climate VII-1 is based on three pillars:

  • Alternative climate-neutral drive technologies (open to all energy sources),
  • reduction of energy requirements and increase in competitiveness, resource efficiency,
  • reduction of the ecological footprint and improvement of social acceptance.

The first pillar is addressed in the LuFo VII-1 KTF programme call and the second and third pillars are addressed in the LuFo VII-1 programme call.

Who can submit?

  • Companies
  • Scientific institutions
  • Research institutions
  • SMEs

Further information on the requirements for participation in the aeronautics research programme can be found in the announcements.

Please note the special provisions on eligibility requirements for the interim call for international cooperation projects. Further information can be found in the Note International Interim Call.

What type of support is provided?

Project funding in accordance with this funding announcement takes the form of non-repayable grants.

Supported-by logo of the BMWE

We would like to remind you that the adjacent logo must be included in all grant-related publications (e.g. programme booklets, brochures, websites, letterheads) as well as on billboards, exhibition stands, banners and the like.

Contact us

Adrian Klassen

Head of the Environmentally Friendly Propulsion Technologies department in the aviation research programme
Project Management Agency for Aviation Research
Tel: +49 228 447-173

Dr. Thomas Kuhn

Head of Department Digitalised and Efficient Manufacturing Technologies in the Aeronautics Research Programme
Project Management Agency for Aviation Research
Tel: +49 228 447-250

Dr. Thomas Soodt

Head of the Multidisciplinary Technologies department in the aeronautics research programme
Project Management Agency for Aviation Research
Tel: +49 228 447-664