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Building the aircraft of the future: apply for funding

Organisations can apply to become part of a £3.9 billion programme to support innovative projects that will help to make UK civil aerospace more competitive.

Jet engine turbine blades of a plane via AMatveev at Shutterstock

Businesses and researchers can get support for innovative civil aerospace projects.

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Innovate UK are running a programme together to find businesses and researchers interested in gaining support for innovative aerospace projects.

This activity is part of the UK Aerospace Research and Technology Programme, a £3.9 billion joint government and industry investment for projects that will make the UK more competitive in civil aerospace.

Businesses and researchers can submit expressions of interest in carrying out a future project that could get grant funding. It is the first of a possible 4 stages.

Projects must fit with UK aerospace strategy

We are seeking projects that are in line with the UK’s aerospace technology strategy.

Priority areas include:

  • strengthening the UK’s whole-aircraft design and system integration capability and positioning it for future generations of civil aircraft
  • the development of smart, connected and more electric aircraft
  • ensuring the UK is a global leader in the development of large complex structures, particularly wings
  • advancing a new generation of more efficient propulsion technologies, particularly large turbofans

Competition information

  • we are now inviting expressions of interest, and the deadline is at midday on 16 May 2018
  • successful applicants will be invited to make a full funding application. The approval process typically takes 6 months
  • organisations can work alone or in partnership with other businesses and researchers
  • project costs and duration should be in proportion to the objectives
  • businesses could attract up to 70% of their project costs
  • you will need to sign up to the ATI framework agreement to be eligible to apply
Published 1 May 2018
Last updated 2 May 2018 + show all updates
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