Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships Program

The objectives of the Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships Program include:

• encouraging and enabling innovative aviation technologies,
• addressing barriers and regulations
• supporting regulations benefiting emerging aviation technology and the aviation sector
• demonstrating benefits to Australian businesses, especially in regional areas
• enhancing competitiveness, efficiency, and reliability of Australian aviation

To be eligible you must:

1. have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
2. be registered for GST
3. confirm your financial contribution to the project
4. belong to one of the following entity types:
   • Australian incorporated company
   • foreign corporation benefiting the Australian aviation sector
   • company incorporated by guarantee
   • incorporated trustee or association
   • partnership or joint application with eligible lead organization
   • registered higher education provider
   • incorporated not-for-profit organization
   • individual or Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Corporation

Note: If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline (27 July 2023), your application will be excluded from assessment.

You are not eligible if you are:

• a Commonwealth, state, territory, or local government agency or body
• an unincorporated association
• an organization listed on the National Redress Scheme’s website as not joining or intending to join the Scheme

See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible organisations.

Eligible activities must directly relate to the project and can include (but are not limited to):

• rigorous trials of emerging aviation technologies with renewable or low emission energy sources
• research and development to support your proposal
• communication and information sharing activities
• technical viability demonstration
• technological development
• uniqueness demonstration compared to existing offerings
• commercial/scalability potential demonstration
• assisting in addressing policy, regulatory, or other related issues.

Additional approved activities will be outlined in your agreement with the Department.

Ineligible Activities:

• purchase of equipment unrelated to the project
• purchase of land
• costs related to ongoing business or administrative activities
• retroactive costs
• expenses incurred during the preparation of the grant application or related documentation
• overseas travel
• activities already funded by other government programs
• activities outside the scope of your agreement with the Department

See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible activities.

Eligible Expenditure Items:

• equipment purchase and installation directly used in the project
• employee costs related to project implementation
• set-up and administration costs for the project
• domestic travel and accommodation expenses for the project
• technical consumables associated with the project
• specialist technical advice related to the project
• crew and technician costs for the project
• Commonwealth regulatory approvals and service provider charges related to the project

Additional items may be agreed upon by the Department.

Expenditure Eligibility:

• expenditure must be a direct project cost or incurred for required project audit activities.
• expenditure must be incurred between the project start and end date, unless otherwise stated.
• commencing the project before the grant agreement is executed is at your own risk, as the Commonwealth is not liable for any pre-agreement activities.

See the guidelines for full details of eligible expenditure.

1.     Project Alignment

• Contribution to program objectives and outcomes
• Economic, productivity, and environmental benefits
• Uniqueness compared to existing solutions
• Project partners and collaboration with government
• Areas benefiting from government assistance and commitment

2.     Capacity and Resources

• Experience and capability in the project area
• Readiness to commence the project and access to key personnel
• Access to necessary infrastructure/equipment
• Co-contribution and ability to complete the project
• Prior work/expenditure and regulatory preparedness
• Project management plan and stakeholder engagement
• Experience and capability in working with Indigenous communities

3.     Benefits for Business, Industry, and Community

• Business case for the proposal
• Support for advancing regulations in aviation technology sector
• Contribution to industry growth/productivity and sharing outcomes
• Commercial and scalability potential beyond the program
• Evaluation strategy and sharing of benefits

4.     Project Focus Area

• Innovative way to propose using emerging aviation technology;
• Technical specifications of proposal
• Technical viability of project proposal
• Benefits of proposal for regional communities/Indigenous health outcomes/regional supply chains; and.
• Extent to which the proposal addresses a focus area/s other than the primary focus area.

See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.

Complete and submit the attached application form in its entirety.

Provide all requested information.

Address all eligibility and assessment criteria.

Include all necessary attachments, preferably in PDF format.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• project alignment, capacity to deliver, benefits to business and the broader industry/community, and addressing the focus area in the Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships Program.
• possession or willingness to obtain the necessary registration and accreditation credentials.
• compliance with regulations outlined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, including the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.
• compliance with the Air Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations 2018 and other relevant legislation and regulations.

Required information will include:

• project management plan
• business case
• concept of operations and safety case (if applicable)
• evaluation plan
• evidence of support from project partners (if applicable)
• trust deed (if applicable)
• other required documentation

For joint application, each letter of support should include:

• partner organization details
• overview of how the partner organization will collaborate with the lead organization and other group members to ensure project success
• outline of the partner organization’s relevant experience and expertise
• roles and responsibilities of the partner organization, including any contributed resources
• contact details for a designated management-level contact officer

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applications are submitted via email to the Director, Agency Engagement and Emerging Technology Programs section at EATP@infrastructure.gov.au.

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