- Government launches new funding Programme targeting
cutting-edge SME aerospace research projects to advance net zero
aviation and boost high-skilled jobs.
- Worth up to £10 million per year, the Programme will help
secure more high-skilled aerospace jobs across the UK.
- Funding provided through the Aerospace Technology Institute
(ATI) will drive innovative UK SME research projects and grow
UK’s share of global aerospace sector, helping to grow the
economy.
Cutting-edge British aerospace companies are set to benefit from
a new multi-million pound SME Programme that will secure
high-skilled jobs and help the UK lead the way on greener air
travel.
The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) SME Programme will offer
UK-based small and medium-sized firms the chance to bid for a
share of £10 million total funding per year towards their
innovative research projects.
The Programme is being announced by Industry Minister today (14 November) at the
ATI’s 2023 Conference in Birmingham. It will be delivered in
partnership with the ATI and Innovate UK.
Industry Minister said:
I’m delighted to announce the new ATI SME Funding Programme,
which will help propel our world-leading aerospace sector to new
heights in the pursuit of innovative, clean, green air travel.
UK aerospace businesses, with their expertise and innovation, are
helping drive the industry on its journey to Net Zero by 2050,
and in the process are helping us grow the UK economy and support
high-skill, high-wage jobs.
ATI CEO Gary Elliott said:
We know from the success of the ATI Programme that supporting
advanced technologies secures market share for the UK, bringing
economic benefit and delivering against the sector’s
sustainability commitments on our journey to Destination Zero.
By connecting capability and funding technology development, the
SME Programme will benefit organisations of all sizes across the
nations and regions of the UK.
The new Programme will open to applications in February 2024 and
aims to give SMEs the best opportunities possible to apply for
funding to develop innovative technologies supporting the
Government’s commitment to Jet Zero.
This is the plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions for
commercial aircraft by 2050, while also keeping the UK’s
aerospace industry competitive in the sustainable design,
manufacture, assembly and operation of future aircraft.
The Programme will allow SMEs in the UK aerospace sector to bid
for grants of up to £1.5 million each, helping to boost
high-skilled jobs in the industry across the UK.
It also builds on the Government’s commitment to backing UK
aerospace R&D to succeed, as demonstrated by the ATI
Programme, for which government provided £685 million in 2022.
Support for organisations engaging with the SME Programme will be
delivered by the ATI Hub. This will include sessions with ATI
technologists, themed innovation workshops and guidance on
preparing for a pitch-panel presentation.
The ATI Hub can also generate new connections between start-ups,
SMEs, bigger and tier one organisations which could become
consortia applications to the SME Programme.
Background:
- The ATI Programme is a joint government and industry
investment. Its purpose is to competitively offer funding for
research and technology development in the UK, to maintain and
grow the UK’s competitive position in civil aerospace and
accelerate the transition to net zero aviation.
- The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has a
well-developed approach to supporting the aerospace sector,
including: £685 million of funding for the ATI Programme; the
Aerospace Growth Partnership sector council which has developed
the Destination Zero strategy for aerospace, a technology
strategy developed by the ATI, and support for airline sales
campaigns.
- The new SME scheme will be funded through the ATI Programme.
