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Competition brief: Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) R&T programme

Updated 13 July 2018

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1. Dates and deadlines

Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) competitions are run throughout the year. You can find out more about the programme on the ATI website. This includes dates and deadlines. Monthly expressions of interest can be found on the Innovation Funding Service.

2. The UK aerospace technology strategy

The ATI is responsible for developing the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy supported by a network of advisory groups. The aim is to stimulate industry-led research and technology (R&T) projects that fit with this strategy and maximise the potential to the UK economy. The ATI oversees the R&T pipeline and portfolio, co-chairing the Strategic Review Committee with BEIS and advising on project investment.

All applications must fit with the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy developed by the ATI.

3. Specific strategic themes

A set of market, value stream, and enabler strategies complement the strategy document. They can be found on the ATI’s website and more information can be requested from the ATI. These are:

  • aircraft of the future: Strengthening the UK’s whole-aircraft design and system integration capability, positioning it for future generations of civil aircraft
  • smart, connected and more electric aircraft: Developing UK advanced systems technologies to capture high-value opportunities in current and future aircraft
  • aerostructures of the future: Ensuring the UK is a global leader in the development of large complex structures, particularly wings
  • propulsion of the future: Advancing a new generation of more efficient propulsion technologies, particularly within large turbofan

4. Find out if you are eligible to apply

To apply you must be:

5. Funding and project details

5.1 Project types

The ATI’s R&T programme projects may focus on industrial research or experimental development. This will depend on the challenge.

As a joint government and industry undertaking the following project level grant funding limits apply:

  • research projects up to 50% of the total project value
  • capital investment projects up to 100% of the total investment value

Individual participant grant funding limits are as follows:

For industrial research:

  • up to 70% of your eligible project costs if you are a small business
  • up to 60% if you are a medium-sized business
  • up to 50% if you are a large business

For experimental development projects which are nearer to market:

  • up to 45% of your eligible project costs if you are a small business
  • up to 35% if you are a medium-sized business
  • up to 25% if you are a large business

6. How to apply

The ATI is responsible for assessing the strategic fit of applications through a 2 step process. Applications are then sent to Innovate UK for independent assessment.

To apply:

7. Background and further information

Civil aerospace has strong prospects for global growth. The UK can build on its success in aerospace if it can grow its share of the global market which is expected to exceed $5 trillion over the next 20 years.

  • The ATI is responsible for developing the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy, supported by a network of advisory groups. It aims to stimulate industry-led R&D projects that fit with this strategy and maximise the potential to the UK economy. ATI oversees the R&D pipeline and portfolio, co-chairing the Strategic Review Committee with BEIS and advising on project investment.

  • BEIS is accountable for the £150m per year government budget. BEIS decides which projects to progress and fund with government resources. It also performs value for money (VfM) assessment on project proposals and manages the EU relationship on state funding issues.

  • Innovate UK handles the aerospace R&D programme. It provides independent assessors and manages the programme from contracting, through performance monitoring to closeout. Innovate UK, along with BEIS, also manages project change requests, provides feedback on project strategic alignment and supports the programme evaluation.

If you need more information, contact the competition helpline on 0300 321 4357 or email us.

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