NATS frequently asked questions
Short answers on eligibility, funding, reporting and how the strategy is run.
About the strategy
It covers research and technology priorities for aerospace across design, propulsion, materials, manufacturing and operations, with a focus on work that moves from laboratory to demonstration.
No. The strategy sets themes and criteria. Individual projects are selected through open calls and reviewed against those criteria each year.
Businesses, universities and research organisations based in the UK may apply, alone or in consortia. Each call sets out its own eligibility conditions.
Applying for support
Read the call scope before preparing a proposal. Calls state the outcomes expected, the scale of funding available and the evidence reviewers will look for.
Proposals are assessed on technical merit, delivery capability and the value of the work to the wider strategy.
Money, timing and reporting
How is funding released?
Funding is released in stages against milestones. Each release depends on a progress report that the programme manager has reviewed.
How often are results reported?
Projects report at fixed milestones during their term. Summaries of completed work are published so that industry can use the findings.
Further help
If a question is not answered here, check the governance structure page for who decides, or the research themes page for the programmes that calls relate to.
Governance structure and research themes and programmes explain the wider framework.