ATI Programme strategic batch: expression of interest March 2023

The ATI Programme represents to date a £3.2 billion joint government and industry investment to maintain and grow the UK’s competitive position in civil aerospace.

This programme is co-ordinated and managed by:

• the Department for Business and Trade
• Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation
• the Aerospace Technology Institute

All three organisations work in partnership. Together they deliver a portfolio of projects to meet the objectives and priorities of the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy.

This is phase 1 of a strategic batch competition within the ATI Programme. There are 2 phases to each strategic batch competition. If you are successful at phase 2 you will proceed to final approvals and contracting. The whole process takes at least 6 months.

1. Expression of interest (EoI) (this competition): opens regularly and is reviewed by the Aerospace Technology Institute only. There is no funding in this phase.

The Aerospace Technology Institute make a recommendation to Department for Business and Trade as to whether an EoI should progress to the Full Stage Evaluation. Department for Business and Trade is responsible for making the final decision whether or not your EoI progresses to the Full Stage Evaluation.

2. Full stage application (FSA) (invite only): if successful in the expression of interest phase. Your proposal will be subject to an independent assessment by Innovate UK, value for money (VfM) and policy review by Department for Business and Trade and strategic review by the Aerospace Technology Institute.

Department for Business and Trade as the budget holder for the ATI Programme has the final funding decision. If you are successful at phase 2, Innovate UK will perform financial viability and eligibility checks. You will be contracted by Innovate UK.

Eligibility

To lead a project or work alone your organisation must:

• be a UK registered business of any size for research projects
• 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
• intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
• address the specific requirements of the UK’s Aerospace Technology Strategy

To collaborate with the lead, your organisation must be one of the following UK registered:

• business of any size
• academic institution
• charity
• not for profit
• public sector organisation
• research and technology organisation (RTO)

Scope

Your project must have a potential application within the civil aerospace sector. This can include dual use technologies.

Your proposal must align with the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy, ‘Destination Zero’, which is split into these areas:

Zero-Carbon Emission Aircraft Technologies: Zero-carbon emission technologies are focused on propulsion and infrastructure development to enable zero-carbon tailpipe emissions. This encompasses battery, hydrogen, and fuel cell technologies, much of which are in early stages of development.

Ultra-Efficient Aircraft Technologies: Ultra-efficient technologies are focused on improving energy efficiency and hence impact CO2 emissions, NOx and noise. Continued development of crucial high value, sustainable, high productivity manufacturing technologies will position the UK to be a first-choice location for the industry.

Cross-cutting Enabling Technologies: To enable both the zero-carbon and ultra-efficient opportunities, the UK must develop cross-cutting enabling technologies and capabilities for whole aircraft design and analysis. These capabilities should extend to the aircraft lifecycle from design, through manufacture & assembly, operation, and end of life.

Support

If you want help to find a project partner, contact Innovate UK KTN’s Transport team, or the Aerospace Technology Institute.