Overview of the ATI Strategic Programme

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Strategic Programme is a significant initiative aimed at maintaining and enhancing the UK’s competitive position in the civil aerospace sector. This programme is a collaborative effort managed by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Innovate UK, and the Aerospace Technology Institute. Below is a detailed overview of the programme, including its funding, management, application process, eligibility criteria, support, evaluation, and post-application procedures.

Key Dates for the ATI Programme

Expression of Interest (EOI) 2025

	January	February	March	May	June
Opening Date	6th January	3rd February	3rd March	6th May	2nd June
Closing Date	22nd January	19th February	19th March	21st May	18th June
Notifications	11th February	11th March	8th April	10th June	8th July

Full Stage Application (FSA) 2025

	Batch 45	Batch 46	Batch 47
Opening Date	Monday 6th January	Monday 7th April	Monday 1st September
Closing Date	Wednesday 12th February	Wednesday 14th May	Wednesday 8th October
Notifications	Thursday 17th April	Monday	Monday 15th December

Funding and Management

Funding

The ATI Programme is set to receive £685 million from the UK government for the financial years 2022 to 2025. This funding is supplemented by industry co-funding, bringing the total investment to over £1 billion. This substantial financial commitment underscores the importance of the aerospace sector to the UK economy and its future growth.

Management

The programme is coordinated by three key organisations:

Department for Business and Trade (DBT): Accountable for the programme budget and responsible for deciding which projects receive government funding. DBT also evaluates the value for money and policy alignment of each application. Visit the DBT here.
Innovate UK: Acts as the delegated budget holder and contracting authority. Innovate UK is responsible for the independent assessment and evaluation of applications, monitoring live projects, and managing the distribution of grant funding.
Aerospace Technology Institute: Develops the technology strategy for the UK aerospace sector and reviews applications for strategic alignment.

ATI Strategic Programme Application Process

The ATI Programme Strategic Batches competition is designed to identify and fund the most promising aerospace research and technology development projects. The application process is divided into two main phases:

Expression of Interest (EoI):

Monthly Assessments: The Aerospace Technology Institute assesses EoI submissions on a monthly basis. DBT makes the final decision on which projects proceed to the full stage competition.
Evaluation Criteria: The EoI evaluation considers the project’s alignment with the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy, the fit of the proposed technology with existing activities, and the capability of the project partners.

Full Stage Application:

Quarterly Assessments: Successful EoI applicants are invited to submit full stage applications, which are assessed quarterly by Innovate UK, the Aerospace Technology Institute, and DBT.
Two Strands: The full stage application process includes two strands: capital infrastructure projects and research projects. Each strand is evaluated separately.

Eligibility Criteria for the ATI Strategic Programme

To be eligible for funding under the ATI Programme, organisations must meet specific criteria:

UK-Based: The lead organisation must be a UK-based business, research and technology organisation (RTO), or academic institution.
Project Scope: The project must involve aerospace research or technology development conducted in the UK, with the primary exploitation of results in the civil aerospace sector.
Framework Agreement: Applicants must sign the Aerospace Technology Institute Framework Agreement, which outlines the terms of engagement and industrial contributions required during ATI Programme grant-funded projects.

Support and Feedback

The ATI Programme offers various forms of support to applicants:

Development Feedback: The Aerospace Technology Institute provides optional support for developing EoI applications. This includes assigning a project lead to monitor application progress and provide feedback.
No Preliminary Indications: While the Aerospace Technology Institute offers feedback on draft applications, it does not provide preliminary indications of project evaluation against assessment criteria.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation process for the ATI Programme is rigorous and multi-faceted, ensuring that only the most promising projects receive funding:

EoI Evaluation:

Eligibility: Initial assessment to ensure the proposal meets the funding rules of the programme.
Opportunity: Evaluation of the business need, market opportunity, and alignment with the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy.
Quality: Detailed assessment of the project’s potential impact, technical approach, and the capability of the project partners.

Full Stage Evaluation:

Market Value: Assessment of the business need, market opportunity, and the project’s potential to provide a competitive advantage to the UK.
Market Risk: Evaluation of the risks associated with delivering the stated economic value and the commitment to exploitation within the UK.
Technology Value: Assessment of the project’s alignment with the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy, the credibility of the approach, and the potential for innovation.
Technology Risk: Evaluation of the technical capabilities and skills of the consortium, as well as the strength of the management structures and procedures.

Post-Application Procedures

Successful projects must complete several steps before contracting and project initiation:

Pre-Contract Checks: Innovate UK conducts finance and pre-contract checks to ensure the project’s viability. This includes submitting various documents such as the collaboration agreement, exploitation plan, and second level plan.
Grant Offer Letter (GOL): Once all checks are completed, Innovate UK issues a Grant Offer Letter, which must be signed by all project partners before the project can start.

Monitoring and Compliance

In-Project Monitoring: Innovate UK assigns a monitoring service provider to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the competition. This includes quarterly monitoring reports and potential audits of project claims.
Post-Project Monitoring: DBT and the Aerospace Technology Institute may conduct periodic reviews and request data linked to project exploitation plans for up to 10 years after project completion.

Conclusion

The ATI Programme represents a significant investment in the future of the UK’s aerospace sector. By providing substantial funding and a structured application process, the programme aims to foster innovation and maintain the UK’s competitive edge in civil aerospace. The collaborative management by DBT, Innovate UK, and the Aerospace Technology Institute ensures that projects are rigorously evaluated and supported throughout their lifecycle, from initial application to post-project monitoring. This comprehensive approach helps to maximise the impact of the funded projects and contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the aerospace industry in the UK.

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