The Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships (EATP) program was announced on 6 May as part of the Australian Government's digital economy strategy. The government has now released a forecast opportunity for the EATP program in anticipation of the call for applications in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The EATP program is intended to encourage adoption of emerging aviation technologies (such as drones, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and new aviation propulsion systems) to address community needs, particularly in regional Australia. The program will also contribute to the digital transformation of businesses, increased business efficiency, reduced carbon emissions through adoption of new technology and to improve a range of outcomes for regional communities.
The EATP program will have two grant opportunities. Round one includes five distinct focus areas with options to establish trial projects and / or to conduct research to support potential future trial projects.
The five focus areas are:
- digital farming
- boosting regional supply chains
- connecting regional communities
- improving health outcomes for remote Indigenous communities
- growing manufacturing in emerging aviation technologies.
To find out more about the forecast opportunity, go to the Australian Government's GrantConnect website.