Innovate UK, GB and other funders: Future flight challenge – strands 1 and 2

26/08/2021

03/11/2021

Innovate UK, through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, invites applications for strands 1 and 2 of the future flight challenge. This supports projects that will develop and demonstrate integrated aviation systems and new vehicle technologies that enable the introduction of new classes of electric or autonomous air vehicles. These could include drones or unmanned aircraft systems, advanced air mobility vehicles, or sub-regional electric or hybrid passenger aircraft. The total budget is worth up to £65m. Funding covers between 25 per cent and 70 per cent of total eligible costs.

Funding is available across two strands: •strand 1 – for projects focusing on the demonstration aspects of novel classes of electric or autonomous air vehicles and systems, with total budgets worth between £500,000 and £15 million over a period of 12 to 24 months; •strand 2 – for projects focusing on developing enabling technologies and cross-cutting systems that support the deployment of novel air vehicles in UK airspace, with total budgets of between £500,000 and £4m over a period of between 12 and 24 months.

UK businesses may lead the project. They must work in collaboration with other UK businesses, research and technology organisations (RTOs), public sector organisations, non-profit organisations, charities and academic institutions. Projects must involve an SME as a partner if the lead organisation is not an SME. Teams must carry out the project in the UK and intend to exploit the results from or in the UK. Non-UK businesses may participate, but may not receive funding.