Opportunity status:
Open
Funders:
Co-funders:
Department for Transport (DfT), Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
Funding type:
Grant
Total fund:
£2,125,000
Maximum award:
£354,375
Publication date:
22 July 2025
Opening date:
1 August 2025 9:00am UK time
Closing date:
9 October 2025 4:00pm UK time
Apply for funding to deliver collaborative research which focuses on the underpinning science of aviation’s non-carbon dioxide (non-CO2) impacts to identify benefits, mitigation options, informing industry and government policy decisions.
You must be:
* based at a UK research organisation eligible for NERC funding
* in a role that meets the individual eligibility requirements
The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £354,375. We will fund 80% of the FEC.
Projects must begin by no later than 1 March 2026 and last for up to 26 months.
To lead a project, you must be based at an eligible organisation. .
Before applying, see also the .
Who is eligible to apply
This funding opportunity is open to research groups and individuals. We:
* encourage multidisciplinary research and collaborations with other UK organisations
* welcome applications from individuals at any career stage, subject to NERC eligibility criteria
You may be involved in no more than two applications submitted to this funding opportunity. Only one of these can be as project lead.
Project partners fund their own involvement. We will only fund minor incidental expenses, such as some travel costs, if needed for project partners.
You should include all other international collaborators (or UK partners not based at approved organisations) as project partners. This includes organisations from the business or financial sectors.
Sub-contracting aspects of the work, meaning particular goods and services, to non-eligible institutions is possible, in line with the .
Projects incorporating funded industrial partners will be eligible for the delivered by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme which is part of the same research programme. See the ‘What we are looking for’ section for more detail.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.
We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:
* career breaks
* support for people with caring responsibilities
* flexible working
* alternative working patterns
UKRI can offer during the application and assessment process.