Aerospace Technology & Innovation Awards 2026

This award celebrates emerging technology being developed in the UK that will support the journey to Net Zero 2050. The technology should be below TRL4, with an expectation that TRL6 will be reached before the end of 2027. Nominations are welcomed from companies of all sizes. 

Nominations should provide the following information:  

A description of the technology 

Which company(s) is developing the technology – lead & partners 

Where in the UK the work is located 

Current TRL level and anticipated development timeline 

Why this technology is innovative 

How this technology will contribute to UK aerospace. 

Nominated technologies do not need to have received funding through the ATI Programme to be eligible. 

This award celebrates zero-carbon emissions technology being developed in the UK for future commercial aircraft types. The technology should be at TRL6 or below. The technology can be relevant to any zero-carbon fuelled aircraft and should represent a step change in UK capability in this area.​​ Nominations are welcomed from companies of all sizes. 

Nominations should provide the following information: 

A description of the technology 

Which company(s) is developing the technology – lead & partners 

Where in the UK the work is located 

Current TRL level and anticipated development timeline 

What impact this technology will have on CO2 emissions 

How this technology is a step change in UK capability. 

Nominated technologies do not need to have received funding through the ATI Programme to be eligible.

This award celebrates the impact of small research projects. The nominees will be able to demonstrate that their project, valued at £3m or less, has made a difference to UK aerospace – either by developing a key technology, showing agility in manufacturing or supply chain processes, or through some other innovation that helps the sector towards net zero. 

Nominations should provide the following information:​ 

A description of the project 

Which company(s) is involved in the project – lead & partners 

Where in the UK the work is located 

Value of the project 

How this project has helped the company (e.g. growth, new expertise, new skills) 

How this project has an impact on UK aerospace​. 

The project does not need to have received ATI funding to be nominated.​ 

This award celebrates UK-based startups that have been active in the aerospace sector since 2020. Their focus should be on supporting the journey to net zero for commercial flight. 

Nominations should provide the following information:​ 

Name and location of the startup 

Current status of the startup (e.g. employees, funding) 

The technology on which the startup is focused 

How the startup demonstrates innovation 

The market need and potential the startup is addressing 

How the startup will contribute to UK aerospace. 

Nominated startups do not need to have engaged with the ATI Hub to be eligible.

This award celebrates the teams who are making the journey to net zero together. They could be working on a project, collaborating across companies, shaping decision making or driving change. They are high performing, stretching themselves and those with whom they engage, and are delivery-focused. They have strong relationships and navigate the ecosystem well. 

Nominations should provide information against the below criteria:

What is the composition of the team?

Why was the team assembled, including the need being addressed by the collaboration/partnership?

What approach and method was used to collaborate?

Where in the UK (or beyond) is the team based?

What results have the team achieved?

How does the team share its approach with others?

This award celebrates a project funded through the ATI Programme that has concluded or reached a significant milestone in the last year. 

Nominations should include information against the below criteria: 

Description of the project

The companies involved in the project and the project’s location

The innovation being addressed through the project

The project’s contribution or impact on UK aerospace

The results or current status of the project.