Zero Emission Flight Demonstrator Round One
Innovate UK. (UK Research and Innovation) · United Kingdom. Project work must be carried out in the UK and project results must be exploited from or in the UK. (Innovation Funding Service)
Grant funding to support collaborative UK projects that demonstrate commercially capable zero emission flight in the UK. The competition supports the development of zero emission aircraft operations, airport infrastructure, ground handling technologies and regulatory readiness for commercial zero emission aviation. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
1 Apr 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Grant funding to support collaborative UK projects that demonstrate commercially capable zero emission flight in the UK. The competition supports the development of zero emission aircraft operations, airport infrastructure, ground handling technologies and regulatory readiness for commercial zero emission aviation. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Aviation, aerospace, airport operations, airport infrastructure, hydrogen aviation, electric aviation and related transport technologies. (Innovation Funding Service)
Match funding
Applicants must fund the remaining eligible project costs not covered by grant funding. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible applicants
UK registered businesses of any size may lead collaborative projects. (Innovation Funding Service)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Feasibility studies: project costs up to £250,000. Industrial research projects: project costs up to £5,000,000. Under the RD&I Streamlined Route, no enterprise may receive more than £3,000,000 in grant funding. (Innovation Funding Service)
Total fund available
Minimum £8,000,000, subject to receipt of sufficient high-quality applications. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding intensity
Up to 70% for micro and small organisations, 60% for medium organisations and 50% for large organisations. (Innovation Funding Service)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects must progress development of one or more of: zero emission aircraft flight operations; ground handling technologies; airport infrastructure required for zero emission aircraft; regulatory standards and evidence supporting commercial deployment of zero emission aviation. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs under Innovate UK funding rules. Academic institutions receive 80% Full Economic Cost (FEC). Research organisations undertaking non-economic activity may receive up to 100% of eligible costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service (IFS). (Innovation Funding Service)
Competitiveness
Not specified by Innovate UK. (Innovation Funding Service)
Decision timeline
Applicants notified on 1 May 2026. (Innovation Funding Service)
Assessment process
Five independent assessors review applications. Funding decisions use Innovate UK's portfolio approach. Projects involving flight demonstrations are prioritised where appropriate. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application sections
- Project Details, Application Questions, Finances and Project Impact. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
- Innovation appendix, project summary appendix, project plan (or Gantt chart) and risk register where requested. (Innovation Funding Service)
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Funding decisions follow Innovate UK's portfolio approach. Outstanding grant obligations or non-compliance with eligibility requirements may affect funding decisions. Funding is subject to sufficient high-quality applications. (Innovation Funding Service)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
16 Feb 2026
Project duration
12 to 24 months. (Innovation Funding Service)
Project start
1 Aug 2026
Project end
31 Jul 2028
Co-funders
- Department for Transport (DfT). (UK Research and Innovation)
Collaboration rules
- Collaboration is mandatory. Projects must include at least one UK registered business and at least one additional UK registered collaborating organisation requesting funding. No single partner may account for more than 70% of total eligible project costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
Consortium requirements
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-07-30.
Grant Name
Zero Emission Flight Demonstrator Round One
Eligible Leads
Only UK registered businesses may act as lead applicants. Academic institutions cannot lead but may participate as collaborators. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application Limit
A business may lead one application and collaborate in any number of additional applications. (Innovation Funding Service)
Research Category
Feasibility studies and Industrial Research. (Innovation Funding Service)
Specific Themes
Demonstration of zero emission aircraft; hydrogen and electric aircraft operations; airport refuelling and charging infrastructure; regulatory and certification evidence; commercial feasibility studies. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible Technologies
Hydrogen propulsion systems, electric propulsion, eVTOLs, unmanned aircraft, hydrogen production and distribution supporting aviation, airport charging systems and associated enabling technologies. (Innovation Funding Service)
Subcontracting
Permitted where justified. Lower cost alone is not sufficient justification. (Innovation Funding Service)
Subsidy Scheme
Awarded under the Research, Development and Innovation Streamlined Subsidy Scheme (SC10780) under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. (Innovation Funding Service)
Sanctions Rule
Funding will not be awarded where it would breach UK sanctions. (Innovation Funding Service)
Animal Research Rule
Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI animal welfare guidance and legislation. (Innovation Funding Service)
Interview Stage
Not specified. (Innovation Funding Service)
Key Requirements
Projects must demonstrate commercial zero emission flight capability, align with Department for Transport objectives and, where applicable, participate in the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Hydrogen Challenge regulatory sandbox. (Innovation Funding Service)
Important Notes
Projects must not begin before Innovate UK approves the Grant Offer Letter. Projects must start on the first day of the month. Funding allocations may be adjusted depending on the quality of applications received. (Innovation Funding Service)
Contact Email
support@iuk.ukri.org. (Innovation Funding Service)
Contact Telephone
0300 321 4357. (Innovation Funding Service)
Official Grant Page
https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/zero-emission-flight-demonstrator-round-one/ (UK Research and Innovation)
Competition Page
https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2397/overview/752074ec-5f01-46d8-863f-596300a11651 (Innovation Funding Service)
Application deadline in source document
1 April 2026 at 11:00am UK time. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 1 Apr 2026
- Funding amount
- Feasibility studies: project costs up to £250,000. Industrial research projects: project costs up to £5,000,000. Under the RD&I Streamlined Route, no enterprise may receive more than £3,000,000 in grant funding. (Innovation Funding Service)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Aviation, aerospace, airport operations, airport infrastructure, hydrogen aviation, electric aviation and related transport technologies. (Innovation Funding Service)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 12 Feb 2026