The Process
A structured, transparent process designed to get the right ideas funded quickly.
See challenge outcomesAirbus and Welsh Government identify key technology focus areas aligned to Airbus' innovation roadmap and Welsh economic objectives.
A public challenge call is launched — usually annually — outlining problem statements, funding envelopes, and eligibility criteria for Welsh organisations.
Shortlisted teams are invited to pitch directly to an Airbus panel. This ensures ideas are evaluated against real commercial need, not just academic merit.
Selected projects are contracted and typically kick off within a few months, running from early-stage research through to prototype or MVP.
Technology Focus Areas
Projects span Airbus Defence and Space's most pressing technology needs — from aerospace materials to next-generation communications.
Intelligent systems for aerospace operations, data analytics, AI-generated content detection, and autonomous decision-making.
Protecting critical defence and space infrastructure, secure communications, and resilient software systems for high-assurance environments.
Novel materials, manufacturing processes, structural monitoring, and the engineering breakthroughs that define next-generation aerospace platforms.
Satellite, RF, and ground-segment communications technologies supporting secure and resilient connectivity for defence and space applications.
Reducing aerospace's environmental footprint — including PFAS detection and replacement in aircraft materials, clean propulsion, and lifecycle analysis.
Miniaturised sensing and processing, space-grade electronics, edge computing, and data management for demanding operational environments.
Eligibility
Projects must have a clear Welsh connection and address a defined Airbus technology challenge.
All Welsh universities and affiliated research centres are eligible to lead or partner on Endeavr projects, bringing academic expertise to solve real Airbus challenges.
Welsh or Wales-based businesses — from early-stage startups to established SMEs — can lead projects or collaborate with academic partners to tackle Airbus challenges.
Partnerships combining academic expertise with commercial ambition are particularly encouraged — combining Welsh research strengths with business-driven delivery.
Track Record
From landscape mapping to funded projects — how each challenge has progressed through the pipeline.
Data coming soon
This data will be available once this 2026's challenges are complete.
To provide novel and efficient simulation methods for computing the reflection/scattering of electromagnetic waves from aircraft geometries.
To find a solution to interpreting, analysing and outputting complex operational sensor data to create and refresh in real time the common operational picture that can be communicated in a constrained bandwidth environment (low to medium) and with constrained computing power.
To identify new advanced thermal management technologies for high-performance processors in space.
To provide novel methods of system design to identify cyber-attacks in critical functions of aerospace platforms.
As AI-generated misinformation proliferates across digital platforms, this challenge sought technology capable of detecting synthetic or manipulated content in real time. Cardiff University spin-out Nisien was among the projects to emerge from this call, developing an AI detection platform that has since created 14 jobs.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in aircraft manufacturing but pose serious environmental and health risks. This challenge called for advanced detection and drop-in replacement solutions, leading to a funded collaboration between the University of South Wales and Bangor University using AI-enhanced spectroscopy.
How can Welsh organisations harness generative AI to address real challenges in Airbus Defence and Space's technology portfolio? This challenge invited universities, SMEs, and startups to propose novel applications of large language models, image generation, and related generative techniques.
With growing demand for lightweight, flexible security in aerospace systems, this challenge asked Welsh innovators to develop software-based cryptographic solutions suitable for deployment in resource-constrained and safety-critical environments.
Whether you're a Welsh university, SME, or startup with an idea that could solve an Airbus technology challenge — we want to hear from you.
