Aviation’s non-CO2 impacts on the climate 2026
Funds research to advance understanding and mitigation of aviation’s non-CO2 climate impacts, focusing on contrails, fuels, and decision support for industry and policy.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: September 8, 2026: Full application deadline (Closing date)
Funding Amounts: Up to £385,425 FEC per project (UKRI funds 80%, i.e., £308,340); total fund £2,312,550; project duration max 14 months
Summary: Supports collaborative research to advance science on aviation’s non-CO2 climate impacts, focusing on contrails, fuels, and decision support for policy and industry.
Key Information: Projects must start by February 1, 2027 and last no more than 14 months; up to two applications per applicant, only one as project lead.
Description
This grant opportunity funds collaborative research to advance the underpinning science of aviation’s non-CO2 impacts on the climate. The aim is to reduce scientific uncertainty, understand the magnitude and mechanisms of these impacts, and develop mitigation options relevant to industry and policy. Projects should address at least one of three core themes:
- improving contrail and aerosol prediction,
- understanding the effects of current and future fuels (including sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen), and
- supporting decision-making for industry and policy.
Research should focus on civil aviation and technology readiness levels (TRL) 1–4, with emphasis on generating new evidence, validating models, and informing operational and policy decisions. Projects must not duplicate existing work and are expected to contribute to a stronger evidence base for reducing aviation’s non-CO2 climate impacts.
