Innovate UK, working with the Aerospace Technology Institute and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, has announced new funding for aerospace innovation projects. From 5th October, UK registered SMEs can apply for a share of £2.5 million for industry-led civil aerospace research projects.
Scope
This competition aims to help SMEs develop their own innovative technologies, thereby enhancing their capabilities and increasing their ability to win new business in the civil aerospace sector. Eligible projects must have a potential application within the civil aerospace sector. You can find information on specific themes here. More generally, all projects must have a credible route to market and preferably have identified their end-users.
Additionally, all projects should:
- Demonstrate improvement in business productivity and competitiveness
- Show clear benefits technically.
- Be able to pull through new technology or processes for use in a current or future product or manufacturing process.
- Show clear benefits in creating or safeguarding jobs.
- Be able to enhance capabilities within the broader aerospace industry, as well as other sectors e.g. advanced manufacturing.
Innovate UK intends to fund a portfolio of projects, across a variety of technologies, markets, and technological maturities.
Eligibility
Firstly, your project’s total eligible costs must be between £100,000 and £300,000. Furthermore, all projects must:
- Be collaborative
- Be led by a UK registered micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)
- Start by 1 May 2021 and end by 31 October 2022
- Last between 12 and 18 months
This competition closes on 18th November 2020. You can find more information on eligibility, scope, and how to apply here. Before you start your application, check out our ‘5 steps to success’ to ensure you write a competitive proposal.
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