Questions & answers relating to the pause to the ATI Programme

Strategic Batch Competitions (Expression of Interest and Full Stage applications)

1. I have a proposal that passed EOI but has not yet passed the full stage application. What will happen to my project?

We will be asking all applicants to resubmit their EOIs when we can afford to start new projects. We cannot be certain when this will happen. We will review the financial position of the Programme, on a monthly basis, though the latest spending forecast from the 175 live projects suggest we are unlikely to invite new applications until the start of FY2022/23. If this is the case, we will seek to re-open the EOI process three months before the window for full applications re-opens. An update on future competitions will be provided in October 2021. In the meantime, please contact the ATI to discuss your proposal and your options.

2. I have a proposal which I plan to submit as an EOI soon. What should I do?

Please get in touch with the ATI. One of our team of experts will talk you through your options and provide support in developing your application.

3. When will I next be able to submit an expression of interest (EOI)?

We will review the financial position of the Programme, each month, though the latest spending forecast from the 175 live projects suggest we are unlikely to invite new application until the start of FY2022/23. If this is the case, we will seek to re-open the EOI process three months before the window for full applications re-opens. An update on future competitions will be provided in October 2021.

4. I have applied into March 2021 EOI – what should I do next?

We have written to all March EOI applicants to inform them that new applications to the ATI Programme have been suspended. March EOIs have been assessed by the ATI, though successful submissions will not be invited to the Full Stage Application. If you still wish to apply for funding when the Programme reopens you will need to resubmit an EOI. For specific questions regarding your application, please contact the ATI to discuss your proposal.

5. I have applied into Batch 35 – what should I do next?

You will have received written feedback on your application including suggested next steps.

6. I have applied into Batch 36 – what should I do next?

You will have received a notification from the ATI including suggested next steps.

7. Will this impact everyone applying into the ATI Programme?

The suspension of new applications to the ATI Strategic Programme will apply to all organisations (regardless of size). We will not change plans for NATEP and R&D Funding for Smaller Business competitions. These competitions will remain open as we forecast that these projects will predominantly begin in FY2022/23.

8. I’m a project partner – will the ATI be contacting me directly?

The ATI and BEIS are contacting project leads at present. We encourage you to liaise directly with your project lead to understand the next steps applicable to your project.

Live and Awarded Projects

9. Will this have an impact on existing live projects?

No – projects that are live will continue as planned.

10. I am currently in project setup. Will this affect my project?

No – projects that are in the setup stage will continue as planned.

11. Will claims for existing projects still be paid as normal?

Yes – existing projects will continue to receive their claims in the usual process.

12. I need to apply for a change to my existing project. Can I still submit a project change request (PCR)?

Yes – if necessary, you can still apply for a project change through your monitoring officer. Project change requests (PCR) will be assessed through the usual process.

13. Will this affect the Industrial Contributions (IC) I have to pay to the Aerospace Technology Institute?

No – live projects and those currently completing project set up will continue to pay here to the ATI.

 

Other Programmes

14. What happens to the Aerospace Technology Institute in the meantime?

The ATI Programme will still spend £150m of R&D funding, matched by industry, on live projects in FY2021/22. This innovation will help the sector build back stronger and greener.

Projects with grant agreements, or those going through the grant award process will not be affected, nor will plans for NATEP and R&D Funding for Smaller Business competitions. The ATI will remain open and active, reviewing the UK’s aerospace technology strategy, running FlyZero and consulting with industry on potential future projects. All current or potential applicants are encouraged to contact the ATI to discuss their research plans and continue to build a compelling business case for their projects.

15. What will happen to NATEP?

Funding for the next NATEP competition has been confirmed. The Spring 2021 competition is currently in progress and applications close on 19th May. For more information on NATEP, please check the NATEP website or contact the ATI.

16. I have applied to the ATI Programme: R&D Funding for Smaller Business, Full Stage, Spring 2021 competition, is this still going ahead?

Yes, the call is proceeding as planned.

17. Is the FlyZero project continuing?

Yes, the FlyZero project has been contracted and is up and running with a team of over 80 secondees. The FlyZero team will continue to work on their objectives of establishing the technologies and market case for a net zero emissions aircraft. This work will help determine the technologies that will enable collaborative, cross industry work that supports the Jet Zero Council’s mission to cut aviation emissions. It is an important part of efforts to help the sector build back stronger and greener.

18. Is the ATI Boeing Accelerator Programme continuing?

Cohort 2 of the ATI Boeing Accelerator programme recently concluded in March 2021. The ATI are working with programme partners to plan the future of the programme. More information about the start-ups involved in the programme can be found in our recent demo day video.

19. What will this mean to bi-lateral competitions like the UK-Sweden competition you have run in the past?

Currently, international competitions are on hold. The ATI and Innovate UK are continuing to work with potential partner countries to organise future bi-lateral competitions.

20. Are there other funding opportunities available?

Funding competitions run through UKRI can be found on the UKRI website.

Other opportunities may be found through CleanSky and the European Commission. It was confirmed earlier this year that the UK will have access to Horizon Europe, which offers significant grant funding opportunities for aerospace R&T.

The ATI will be hosting an information day focused on European funding opportunities on 20th May. Details of the event will be available soon; please check our Events page.

To find out more about other funding opportunities for your research project, please contact the ATI, where we’ll be able to advise you on funding opportunities during this time.

ATI Programme and Budget

21. When is the ATI Programme’s financial year?

For budgeting purposes, the ATI Programme follows the government’s fiscal calendar. For example, FY2021/22 is from April 2021 to March 2022.

22. When will the ATI Programme accept new project applications?

We will review forecast spend each month to test when we can re-open the Programme for new applications. Based on the latest data, we do not think this will happen until the start of FY2022/23. If we can afford to open the programme before this date, we will. Updates will be provided on the ATI’s website and unless we can open the programme sooner, we will provide an update in October 2021.

23. How will this impact the delivery of the UK aerospace technology strategy – Accelerating Ambition?

The ATI Programme will still spend £150m of R&D funding, matched by industry, on live projects in FY2021/22. This innovation will help the sector build back stronger and greener.

The ATI will continue to work with aerospace organisations to deliver the strategic aims of our UK technology strategy, Accelerating Ambition. As of March 2021, the ATI programme has 175 live projects, working with 349 unique organisations who are all working towards the strategic objectives of our UK aerospace technology strategy.

24. If there is a pause, the next batch will be very large – does that mean that we are less likely to be successful?

Demand has been rising for ATI Programme support, with each batch becoming increasingly competitive. Only the best projects are selected, which has always been the case for the Programme. All current or potential applicants are encouraged to contact the ATI to discuss their research plans and continue to build a compelling business case for their projects.

25. Where can I find out more about the ATI Programme (who has been funded, how many projects, partners, etc)?

More information about the ATI programme can be found through the ATI website (explore our projects). Here, you will be able to find out more about the project partners, technologies and costs. Additional information on all Innovate UK funded projects since 2004 can be found on the Innovate UK website.

Funding Intensity

26. Funding intensity to the ATI programme was changed in October 2020. Will this remain the same once the programme restarts?

We will continue to review the ATI Programme, including budget and funding intensity. An update on future competitions and associated funding will be provided in October 2021.

27. Were the changes to funding intensity the cause of the ATI Programme pause?

No – changes to the funding intensity were applied to projects in batch 35. None of these projects have started yet. Delays in already committed project activity caused by COVID-19 has had more of an impact to this year’s budget.