From next month the Government have allowed R&D funding bodies such as the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), NATEP and InnovateUK to suspend the need for 50:50 matched funding for any future industrial research applications to the ATI programme.
Previously Government-funded research programmes, such as NATEP, were 50% funded by Government and 50% funded by industry. However, given the impact of COVID-19 on industry the Government will now allow any now partner applying for R&D funding to claim funding rates defined in the State Aid Regulations.
The ATI has announced from 1st October 2020 they will suspend the 50:50 matched funding policy for new Industrial Research applications to the ATI Programme. These changes will also apply to future NATEP rounds of funding.
Commenting on the announcement ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said,
“At a time when the aerospace industry is facing unprecedented challenges, this is a welcome announcement from the Government to boost support for vital R&D projects. Increases in the proportion of public funding provided for projects through the ATI and NATEP will help ensure these ideas are not held back by the current crisis and will sustain the innovative work that will put us at the forefront of future technologies globally.”
What R&D funding opportunities open in October?
From October several rounds of aerospace technology and improvements funding will open for applications with new rates of funding available. The ATI has announced that the new rates if companies are successful in applying, will be 70% if you are a small or micro organisation, 60% if you are a medium-sized organisation or 50% if you are a large organisation. The ATI has produced a Q&A document about the changes here.
Companies wanting to take advantage of the new rates need to submit an expression of interest to the ATI which opens on 5 October online here.
National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) is a programme aimed at small and medium-sized suppliers to help them develop their own innovative technologies to enhance their capabilities and increase their ability to win new business with higher tier companies anywhere in the world. The Spring 2021 call for NATEP projects is now open, with a deadline for outline submission of 13 November. All applicants, and potential applicants, are encouraged to contact the NATEP team for bid support and guidance. More information can be found on the NATEP website Or by emailing info@natep.org.uk. They are hosting a webinar too.
