Department for Business and Trade: Aerospace Programme Impact Evaluation
Background & Context
The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) programme is one of the UK’s largest investments in aerospace innovation, supporting the development of next-generation technologies that will help maintain the UK’s global competitiveness and support the transition to Net Zero aviation.
With £1.9 billion of government funding invested alongside significant industry contributions, the programme has supported hundreds of collaborative R&D projects involving aerospace manufacturers, SMEs, universities and research organisations.
The Department for Business and Trade commissioned Frazer-Nash Consultancy and M·E·L Research to undertake an independent evaluation of the programme. The study sought to understand how ATI funding was contributing to innovation, investment, collaboration and economic growth across the UK aerospace sector, while also establishing evidence to support future policy and investment decisions.
Approach
M·E·L Research and Frazer-Nash Consultancy delivered a comprehensive mixed-methods evaluation, combining analysis of business performance data with extensive stakeholder engagement across the aerospace innovation ecosystem.
The research included:
Analysis of programme and business performance data.
In-depth interviews with funded organisations and sector stakeholders.
Surveys with programme participants.
Focus groups exploring programme experiences and outcomes.
Review of programme documentation and project evidence.
This approach enabled the team to assess both measurable programme impacts and the wider benefits generated through ATI-supported innovation.
Research Design
The evaluation explored the ATI programme’s contribution across a range of strategic outcomes, including:
Innovation and technology development.
Research and development investment.
Employment and skills growth.
Collaboration between industry, academia and research organisations.
Supply chain development and resilience.
Infrastructure and capability building.
Wider economic and sector-level benefits.
The research also examined the additional value generated through ATI funding and the extent to which outcomes may not have occurred without programme support.
Analysis
M·E·L Research and Frazer-Nash Consultancy combined quantitative and qualitative evidence to build a robust understanding of programme performance and impact.
Analysis focused on identifying changes in investment, innovation activity, collaboration and organisational growth, alongside understanding how ATI funding had supported organisations to develop new technologies, strengthen partnerships and accelerate progress towards commercialisation.
A Theory of Change framework was used to assess how programme activities contributed to short, medium and longer-term outcomes.
Outputs
The evaluation provided the Department for Business and Trade with a robust evidence base demonstrating the value and impact of the ATI programme.
Key findings highlighted:
Increased investment in aerospace research and development.
Growth in employment and specialist skills.
Progression of innovative technologies towards commercial application.
Stronger collaboration across industry, academia and research organisations.
Enhanced research, testing and manufacturing capabilities.
Strengthened UK aerospace supply chains.
Spillover benefits into sectors including automotive, energy, defence and healthcare.
The study also showcased how ATI-funded projects were advancing technologies such as hydrogen propulsion, electric power systems, advanced composites and digital engineering.
Findings were presented through a comprehensive evaluation report, combining impact evidence, stakeholder perspectives, case studies and strategic recommendations. The research established a strong foundation for future programme monitoring and provided evidence to inform ongoing investment and policy decisions supporting the UK’s aerospace sector.
How do we demonstrate the true value of culture and heritage? And are we measuring everything that matters?
These were two of the questions that stood out during the third day of the Culture and Heritage Capital: Putting Theory into Practice conference.
Cultural organisations have long recognised that their impact extends beyond visitor numbers, ticket sales and tourism revenue. Museums, heritage sites and cultural programmes can support mental health and wellbeing, strengthen community connections, create opportunities for learning and preserve our shared…
M·E·L Research is pleased to be working with the British Film Institute (BFI) on a three-year evaluation of the BFI Film Academy programme. Since 2012, BFI Film Academy has supported young people to develop skills, confidence, knowledge and networks and explore routes into careers across the screen industries. The refreshed 2026–2029 programme builds on this experience, creating connected pathways from early engagement through to specialist training, mentoring, placements and industry-facing progression, with a strong emphasis on…
M·E·L Research is pleased to welcome four new colleagues to our growing team, strengthening our research and evaluation expertise as we continue to expand our services and support clients.
The appointments of Laura Karban, Associate Director; Bethan Jewsbury, Senior Evaluation Managers; and Chloe Parker, Research Manager, alongside Rhoslyn Davies, who joins us on a short-term basis to provide additional senior evaluation support, bring a wealth of experience across social research, evaluation, public policy…
It was an absolute honour to attend the Women’s Health Conference in London this week, bringing together clinicians, policymakers, campaigners and others passionate about improving women’s health.
As a researcher specialising in women’s health social research, I was excited to have the opportunity to learn, be challenged and exchange ideas with people who share that passion. And I wasn’t disappointed.
There has (quite rightly) been a lot of discussion recently about the gender health gap. But some of the evidence shared…
We are pleased to be working with the MS Society on new health and care social research exploring how health and care services can better support people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and help reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
The health and care social research study will focus on opportunities for earlier intervention and more coordinated, preventative support, while recognising that hospital admission is sometimes clinically necessary. It will…
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at Collections Inside & Out, a symposium hosted at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden, bringing together people working across gardens, horticulture, heritage, collections and interpretation.
I was, perhaps, a slight interloper among so many people with deep horticultural expertise but every presentation was incredibly interesting and I learned a lot – and broadly managed to follow the general flow of what was being said (still not 100% au fait with taxa…
We’re pleased to share that our Commercial Director, Elliot Simmonds, will be speaking at the Collections Inside & Out symposium at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden on 24 September 2026. Bringing together professionals working across heritage collections, gardens and landscapes, the symposium will explore the relationship between indoor and outdoor heritage and the opportunities created by thinking about them as part of a connected visitor experience.
Elliot’s session, “Integrating Indoor…
M·E·L Research has been named the winner of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Value & Ethical Research 2026 at the UK Enterprise Awards.
The award recognises the values that shape both the work we choose to undertake and the way we deliver it. From building trauma-informed practices into our research to improving inclusion and reinvesting in the communities around us, social responsibility is part of how we operate every day.
