Expert Advisory Group member: Aviation Non-CO2 Programme

Closing date extended to Friday 3rd May 2024

About the Aviation Non-CO₂ Programme

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Department for Transport (DfT), Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) have launched a research programme to address the non-CO₂ impacts of aviation. The first call for the programme was launched on 13 October 2023, and we are expecting to launch the second call later this year.

Scope

The Jet Zero Strategy sets out the Government’s approach for decarbonising UK aviation by 2050. Much of the Strategy focusses on reducing CO₂ emissions from aviation, however, the Strategy recognises that aviation also has non-CO₂ climate impacts, which could have as significant or greater impact than CO₂ emissions. There continues to be scientific uncertainty regarding the magnitude of aviation’s non-CO2 impacts on the climate and therefore in the Jet Zero Strategy, the Government committed to improving their understanding of aviation’s non-CO₂ impacts, and to identify and develop policy options and measures to mitigate these impacts.

This research programme will focus on aviation’s non-CO₂ impacts and seeks to establish how the non-CO₂ impacts interact with climate over time, and how to mitigate their impacts with the view to informing industry funding and government policy and investment decisions.

This programme will initially focus on two aspects:

• improving our understanding of aviation’s non-CO₂ impacts and reducing the current scientific uncertainties (this includes contrail cirrus, NO_x, and other non-CO­₂ emissions such as water vapour and particulates like soot and sulphur);
• identifying and developing mitigating actions to address those impacts (this includes but is not limited to technology development, sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen aircraft (both direct combustion and fuel cells), contrail prediction and avoidance, reducing aromatic content of kerosene, carbon pricing).

The programme will be split across two funding lines – one for academic-led fundamental research projects, and one for industry-led applied research projects. Both funding lines will be part of the same programme and will not be run in silo. There will be collaboration between sectors and proposals that receive funding.

Overview – Expert Advisory Group

Our approach has been to create a research programme that (1) takes advantage of UK’s existing scientific delivery mechanisms, functions, and networks, (2) brings research scientists and industry partners together on research projects with a clear scientific impact and/or commercial potential, and (3) uses expert advice to guide the research programme, advise on research proposals and overall competition strategy.

A key part of this is the formation of an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) to guide delivery of the research programme. The EAG will bring together industrial and scientific expertise to provide independent challenge, rigour, and strategic steer to the programme. This is to ensure all research themes and proposals are aligned to industrial and academic challenges and the programme continues to deliver policy and industry needs in an evolving landscape.

The EAG will comprise of around 5-10 representatives from industry and academia with relevant insight and interest in the aviation non-CO₂ research agenda. The EAG will be chaired by a dedicated Programme Coordinator (delivered as a contract via UKRI-NERC) and is expected to meet on a quarterly basis. Meetings will most likely take place virtually but we may include in-person meetings if circumstances permit. There may be a requirement for additional meetings, but they will be on an ad-hoc basis and members will be given sufficient notice. The meeting length may vary depending on developments to the programme and level of input required form the members.

The EAG will provide advice to the Aviation Non-CO₂ Programme Board, which comprises of the Senior Responsible Officers from the programme partners. The Aviation Non-CO₂ Programme Board is supported by a Programme Team who deliver activity of the programme as directed by the Programme Board.

Appointment as a member will be on a voluntary, unpaid basis, and will last for the programme lifetime, unless agreed otherwise by the programme partners and the member.

Responsibilities / Objectives

• Within the scope of the research programme, identify strategic research themes aligned to industrial and policy challenges to be addressed by scientific research.
• Create a dynamic forum to debate and prioritise the detail of the research themes for consideration in the research programme.
• Provide guidance and expert advice on the direction, delivery and focus of the research programme, and monitor the status of research activity.
• Make recommendations to the Aviation Non-CO₂ Programme Board on how best to achieve a balanced portfolio of research projects – that could deliver the most impact to understanding and mitigating non-CO₂ emissions, and potential to increase UK industrial competitiveness in aircraft and aviation technology.
• Provide insight on activities from the EAG member’s own networks that already exist or are emerging in the areas of non-CO₂. This includes engagement with relevant stakeholders outside of the research programme, including internationally.
• Recommend topics for future long-term investigation and provide strategic advice.
• Members are expected to proactively contribute during meetings and participate in discussions, complete agreed actions, inform the chair of any changes to their professional status or affiliation, and ensure the impartiality of the EAG.

The EAG will be acting as an advisory body to the programme and will not be a decision-making group (DBT, DfT and NERC will be accountable for any R&D funding decisions as the funders of this research programme). The group will be made up of a diverse range of members.

Criteria

The criteria for selection of members includes:

• Can demonstrate senior level expertise and internationally recognised experience in aviation, technology development related to aviation and emission reductions or aviation’s non-CO₂ impacts and atmospheric science.
• Can demonstrate that their previous experience relates to one of the key areas of focus as outlined in the NERC call for proposals and/or are a key aviation stakeholder.
• Demonstrate adequate impartiality to minimise any potential conflict of interest or bias.
• Capable of using their expertise and position to increase programme visibility and credibility.

• Ability to commit to the time requirements for proactive and responsive participation. We expect this to be approximately a 2-hour meeting every quarter and the time needed to read any relevant papers in advance of the meeting.

Conflict of Interest

• Successfully appointed members should declare any personal or business interest that may influence their judgement or may be perceived as such (by a reasonable member of the public). This should include, as a minimum, personal direct and indirect pecuniary interests. In case of doubt, the member should seek counsel from the Chair, as to whether conflict should be declared. A Conflict Register will be maintained, and members will be asked to sign a Declaration of Interests form.
• You cannot be a member of the EAG if you are supporting a project(s) that is receiving funding from this programme, even if you are not a direct recipient of funding. Institutions are able to apply for funding even if a representative is on the EAG; however, if the individuals wish to contribute to their institution’s research, and/or apply for future project funding as part of the research programme, members will need to renounce their membership of the EAG. Members that renounce themselves from the group will be replaced, as appropriate.

 Application Process

• Please submit a short 500-word personal statement which demonstrates how you fulfil the criteria by 5pm on 3rd May 2024. Please submit your personal statement to competitions@ati.org.uk.
• The Aviation Non-CO₂ Programme Team will review the applications against the criteria and undertake a moderation exercise and agree membership, ensuring a balanced make-up of the final EAG.
• Successful applicants will be informed in May 2024 and the first meeting is expected to take place shortly after.