Tuesday, 08 December 2020
The University of Nottingham and the Midlands Aerospace Alliance are delivering the Aerospace Unlocking Potential (Aerospace UP) Programme, providing support to the aerospace supply chain in the Midlands region.
Aerospace UP is a three-year programme, supported by the European Regional Development Fund, which aims to help small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) unlock their innovation potential.
This support package includes £5.4m to provide individual innovation grants of between £1,000 and £100,000. The grant application process is currently open for new submissions from SMEs across eight Local Enterprise Partnership Areas in the Midlands.
In addition to financial grants, companies eligible for the Aerospace UP programme can access world-class facilities, technology experts and events at the University. They will also benefit from fully-funded technical support packages as well as student and graduate placement opportunities.
“Our vision is to give companies access to world-class innovation. Ambition should not be limited to size and by giving smaller businesses across the aerospace supply chain access to the UK’s best facilities and expertise, and the opportunity to collaborate and share challenges, we will help create a vibrant ecosystem in our region that will be perfectly placed to respond to new opportunities.”
Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange said: “The Aerospace Unlocking Potential project builds on the University’s existing work with companies in the local aerospace supply chain to drive technological advancement towards cleaner, greener air travel. The project will provide much-welcomed support to the regional industry cluster in the wake of the pandemic and ensure the UK remains a key player in European aerospace innovation.”
It is hoped that by assisting small supply chain businesses to grow, by providing the tools and support needed to do so, the programme will form a critical part of the recovery of the Midlands aerospace cluster, which is one of the largest in the world and greatly impacted by the pandemic.
“This is a programme that meets a real need and fills a real gap in the UK’s Industrial Strategy to boost levels of innovation at the many firms that make up our country’s excellent regional business clusters. With the Covid-19 crisis creating major challenges for many aerospace suppliers today, Aerospace UP grants of up to £100,000 will help companies invest in new ideas and become more competitive to be ready to take full advantage, winning new business, when the industry recovers.”
Companies do not have to have a particular project in mind to make an application, as the Aerospace UP team can assist with identifying opportunities. However, it would be useful to consider ideas around greener technologies; improving efficiency; evolving in anticipation of future market requirements; solving quality or delivery issues as well as other manufacturing challenges.
Interested companies should visit aerospaceup.com to find out more information about the project, eligibility requirements and how to apply. A virtual “Aerospace UP Supply Chain Funding Event” is planned for 11 February 2021. Details will be made available on aerospaceup.com, as well as, midlandsaerospace.org.uk.
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More information is available from Professor Pat Wheeler on 0115 951 5591 or pat.wheeler@nottingham.ac.uk or Emma Lowry, Media Relations Manager (Engineering) on emma.lowry@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 84 67156.
Notes to editors
The Midlands Aerospace Alliance
The MAA represents one of the largest aerospace clusters in the world, supporting over 300 companies. The Midlands is home to over one quarter of the UK aerospace industry, 7% of Europe's and 3% of the world’s. The region is a leader in advanced aerospace manufacturing. The cluster’s contribution to the economy is driven by global demand for high-technology aero engines, complex aircraft systems and precision-engineered components for aircraft manufacturing giants such as Airbus and Boeing.
European Regional Development Fund
The project (either has received or is receiving up to) £10m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.
Midlands Engine
The government is committed to making the Midlands an Engine for Growth in the UK, increasing economic growth and improving the quality of life for everyone. The Midlands is home to over 10 million people and over 780,000 businesses. Its economy is worth £217.7 billion. Alongside over €750 million of European Regional Development Fund support for businesses and communities across the Midlands, the government has awarded £1.9 billion in three rounds of Growth Deals. To gain wider promotion, enlisting the help of Local Enterprise Partnerships and other local partners who support the development and promotion of ERDF projects would be encouraged. Collaborate with these partners to maximise the reach and impact of ERDF- funded projects. Please contact your contract manager, or the MHCLG Growth Delivery Team for more information.
Aerospace UP Eligibility Criteria
To access support from Aerospace UP you must be an SME (fewer than 250 employees, a turnover of less than €50m, or a balance sheet total of less than €43m) located in one of the following area: Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire, Greater Birmingham and Solihull (includes northern Worcestershire), Stoke and Staffordshire, D2N2 (Derby and Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire), SEMLEP (Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Northern Buckinghamshire), Greater Lincolnshire (includes Rutland), Leicester and Leicestershire. Please visit http://www.ukassistedareasmap.com/ieindex.html to check which LEP area your company is based in.
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About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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