If you have an existing project or are at set up stage, your project will continue as planned. For further clarity contact your project lead.
Review the UK aerospace technology strategy first to make sure your project aligns, and then revisit this page.
Funding competitions run through UKRI can be found on their website. You may also wish to visit CleanSky and the European Commission.
We welcome the commitment in the Government’s Spending Review to guarantee the funding available to the Aerospace Technology Institute to 2031. Read the ATI’s full statement here. The exact annual profile of funding for the ATI Programme, including when it will re-open, is something BEIS is working through in the light of the settlement. They will do this as quickly as they can and updates will be shared here and through our Twitter and LinkedIn channels.
To date, £1.6bn has been awarded to over 340 collaborative R&D projects across every region in the UK and we continue to support the development of innovative aerospace technologies in line with the Government’s commitment to reducing aviation emissions whilst driving growth. The ATI remains open and active, reviewing the UK’s aerospace technology strategy, running FlyZero and consulting with industry on potential future projects.
We answer the most common questions relating to the pause of the ATI Programme in our Funding FAQs.
All applicants to ATI Programme funding must sign the ATI’s Framework Agreement before submitting full-stage proposals – failure to do so will result in a failed application. This link will take you to our secure Adobe Sign page where you can read and sign the ATI Framework Agreement. Your digital signature will be reviewed by the ATI team and you will receive confirmation via email once the validation process is complete. Industrial partners should read the Guide to Industrial Contributions.
The ATI works in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Innovate UK to offer funding streams designed to accelerate innovation in the UK to maintain global competitiveness. All projects submitted must align with the UK aerospace technology strategy, Accelerating Ambition, which identifies the following priority areas: vehicles; propulsion and power; systems; and aerostructures.
Applicants are encouraged to read the General Guidance for Applicants before applying to any of the below funding streams. Applicants should note that the funding process is competitive, and only the best applications will receive funding. Should you require assistance please get in touch with the funding team.
The Strategic Programme is currently paused for new applications.
The Strategic Programme is a comprehensive 2-stage assessment process suited to larger programmes typically accessing grants in excess of £1 million.
Your project must align with the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy.
Stage 1 requires applicants to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI); the EOI is assessed by the ATI.
Successful EOIs will be invited to Stage 2 to complete a Full Application. Once submitted, the Full Application will undergo ATI, BEIS and Innovate UK independent assessment in parallel. No further changes to the application are permitted once the submission deadline has passed.
All applicants must sign the ATI’s Framework Agreement before submitting proposals.
Funding through the R&D Funding for Smaller Business competition is not affected by the suspension of new applications to the ATI Programme.
This call supports and encourages industrial investment into the aerospace sector and its supply chain, through the funding of innovative and high impact projects. These projects will demonstrate forward-looking and disruptive solutions to UK civil aerospace challenges.
Funding through NATEP is not affected by the suspension of new applications to the ATI Programme.
The National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) is suited to smaller businesses and offers a maximum project size of £300k. As well as grant funding, the programme provides high calibre technical and management resource to help those companies accelerate the technology development towards market readiness.
More information on how to apply can be found here.
Please ensure you have read the relevant governance documents, which can be found in our Funding FAQs. EOIs and applications are submitted and processed through the Innovation Funding Service portal on the UK Government website.