The ATI Programme supports industrial research and investment in research infrastructures to enhance the competitiveness of the UK civil aerospace sector. This Expression of Interest (EoI) call represents phase 1 of a strategic batch competition, focusing on identifying promising projects that align with the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy.

Key Dates and Deadlines

The competition opens on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, providing a window for applicants to prepare and submit their EoI proposals. The submission deadline is firm: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:00 am UK time. Late submissions will not be considered, so plan accordingly.

This is a critical first step in a two-phase process. Successful EoI applicants will be invited to submit a full stage application (FSA) in phase 2. The entire assessment process is expected to take at least six months.

Note that there is no funding awarded during the EoI phase. Funding decisions will be made during phase 2, based on recommendations and reviews from various stakeholders.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, the lead organization must be a UK registered business of any size for research projects. For capital infrastructure projects, eligible leads include UK registered businesses, research and technology organizations (RTOs), research organizations, or academic institutions. All project work must be conducted within the UK.

Applicants must demonstrate a clear intention to exploit the research results from or within the UK. Furthermore, projects must align with the objectives and priorities outlined in the UK's Aerospace Technology Strategy. Signing up to the Aerospace Technology Institute framework agreement is also mandatory.

Collaboration is encouraged, and project teams can include various UK registered entities. These include businesses of any size, academic institutions, charities, not-for-profit organizations, public sector organizations, and RTOs. Non-UK partners are allowed, but their costs will count towards the total eligible project costs.

• Must be a UK registered business of any size for research projects

• Must be a UK registered business of any size, a research and technology organisation (RTO), research organisation or academic institution for capital infrastructure projects

• Carry out your aerospace research or capital infrastructure project work in the UK

Scope and Focus

The ATI Programme aims to maintain and grow the UK's competitive position in civil aerospace. Projects should address specific requirements of the UK’s Aerospace Technology Strategy, contributing to the advancement of the sector. The programme has been allocated £975 million from the government for the financial years 2025 to 2026 through 2029 to 2030.

This call focuses on expressions of interest for projects that align with the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy. The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) will review proposals, and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will decide which EoI proposals progress to phase 2.

Projects can focus on either industrial research or capital infrastructure investment, but not a combination of both. The project duration must be appropriate and proportional to the planned objectives and prioritization within the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy.

Funding Details

The total grant request for industrial research projects cannot exceed 60% of the total eligible project costs. This cap applies regardless of individual partners' grant claims. Individual partners conducting commercial or economic activities can request funding up to 70% for small or micro organizations, 60% for medium-sized organizations, and 50% for large organizations.

For capital infrastructure projects, each project can request total grant funding of up to £18 million. The total project grant funding must not exceed 50% of the total eligible project costs. Research organizations undertaking non-economic activity can claim up to 100% of their own costs in collaborative projects, but the total project grant funding must still not exceed 50%.

The total grant funding limit for any individual organization is £18 million. Research organizations undertaking non-economic activity can share up to 30% of the total eligible project costs, with funding available for up to 80% of full economic costs (FEC) for Je-S registered institutions or 100% of eligible project costs for other eligible organizations.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their EoI proposals through the Innovate UK Innovation Funding Service (IFS). Ensure all required information is accurately completed and submitted before the deadline. It is crucial to review the eligibility criteria and funding guidelines thoroughly before applying.

The application process involves providing detailed information about the project, including objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. Collaboration details, including the rationale and structure of the collaboration, must also be clearly outlined in the application.

For any queries or support, applicants can contact Innovate UK by email or call 0300 321 4357. It is recommended to contact them at least 15 working days before the competition's closing date to allow sufficient time for support.