Fundamental research is typically curiosity-driven and explores new and innovative research areas for air traffic management (ATM), which are at TRL0. The objective is to bring new knowledge encouraging scientists to develop innovative ideas, concepts, emerging technologies, methods, and theories that explore the current boundary of knowledge on ATM/U-space and that have potential for the evolution of the future air traffic management / U-space system. Exploration of the potential benefits of the application of interdisciplinary methods is considered positive and in scope.

The scope under this topic covers any ATM/U-space research area not covered by the development priorities for fundamental research (FR-1, FR-2 or FR-3) described in previous topics.

The proposals shall demonstrate their innovation / breakthrough potential, justify how the scope of the proposed research is aligned to the ATM Master Plan vision and how the expected outcomes will contribute to one or more of the five key transformation levers described in the ATM Master Plan.

The five transformation levers are described in the ATM Master Plan as follows:

• Trajectory optimisation: the proposed research shall contribute to guarantee a systematic, continuous, and precise optimisation of all aircraft trajectories throughout their lifecycle, from planning to execution, from gate to gate and within the context of congested airspace.
• Data volumes: the proposed research shall contribute to collect and process large volumes of data (e.g., aircraft performance characteristics, user preferences, real time traffic information and meteorological information throughout the network, etc.). Increased real-time sharing of secure and trusted data will enable airborne and ground systems and actors to stay interconnected and share the same situational awareness.
• Automation: the proposed research shall contribute to realise an effective teaming up of human operators and systems (i.e., human-machine teaming), which will be necessary to make best use of a large volume of data to optimise trajectories. To that end, higher levels of automation will be introduced in ATM. This requires advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital support tools, to deal safely with complex decision-making while optimising capacity and environmental performance.
• Dynamic airspace: the proposed research shall contribute to enable a near real-time configuration of the airspace with human operators and systems teaming up to meet needs of all airspace users (civil and military) and to manage capacity more efficiently. For certain phases of flight, the system will be fully automated and able to handle both nominal and non-nominal situations.
• Role and function of human operators: the proposed research shall contribute to the gradual evolution of the role and skills of the human operator (e.g., air traffic controllers, air traffic safety electronic personnel, flight crew and operators, etc.), as well as the emergence of new roles.

When relevant and regarding civil military collaboration, the proposed research shall contribute to enhance military access to the airspace and to the ability to protect confidentiality and critical information of military air missions. In addition, it could address the coordination with civilian aviation authorities enabling effective contribution to operations in multinational coalitions and the adaptation of Military systems and CNS capabilities to ensure civil military interoperability. The military implications of U-Space and higher altitude operations (HAO) could also be included.