Manufacturing Scale-up Research and Innovation: Automotive and Aerospace

Research will address the transition from newly developed technologies to repeatable, cost-effective manufacturing in aerospace and automotive industries. Topics include materials and process scale-up, robotics, AI-enabled assembly, simulation, electrification and integrated manufacturing systems. Projects must involve industrial partners, access realistic manufacturing environments and secure matching non-public contributions. Small projects may last up to two years with full economic costs up to £600,000; large projects may last up to four years at £4.5–5.8 million full economic cost. UKRI pays 80%. Mandatory institutional intent-to-submit forms are due 11 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time; full applications follow by 9 December 2026 at 16:00.

Lead applicants must be based at an eligible UK research organisation and meet UKRI individual eligibility. Industry partners must shape the challenge and application, provide appropriate support and commit matching funds. The call concerns scaling newly developed technologies and processes, rather than inventing new products.