Government to invest up to £6m in UK aerospace R&D

Up to a further £1m may be available from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for projects with a significant, high quality academic research component. The Highly Innovative Technology Enablers for Aerospace competition for collaborative R&D funding will support and encourage business investment in technology and innovation in high risk, high potential approaches that may not be fundable from companies' own resources. It will focus on the key barriers or challenges at underlying levels that are identified in the National Aerospace Technology Strategy. The UK has the second largest aerospace industry in the world with significant capabilities in key areas such as engines, airframes structures and materials, equipment and air transport system integration. However, the industry faces new challenges such as globalisation, new competitors and climate change. An open competition, the TSB says it is looking to fund applied research projects attracting up to 50% public funding. Proposals must be collaborative and business led. According to the TSB, it will invest between £500k and £1m in each successful project, although any outside this range will be considered. Projects are likely to have a maximum duration of around two years. The competition opens on 13 February 2012 and compulsory expressions of interest must be submitted by 21 March 2012. A briefing event will be held in London.