Aviation careers fund opens to organisations across the UK

Organisations across the UK are being invited to apply for a share of £750,000 through the latest Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, the Department for Transport has said.

The department says the fifth round of the fund is intended to encourage young people to consider aviation and aerospace careers, including piloting, engineering, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control and aviation technology.

It says grants can support outreach, mentoring, careers events and interactive learning. Applications will be assessed by a joint panel from the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority, which administers the fund.

According to the department, the fund has invested more than £3 million in 46 organisations over four years and has reached more than one million people. The stated focus includes young people aged 16 and over from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.

The department says UK airports handled 302 million passengers in 2025 and forecasts annual passenger demand could reach about 465 million by 2050. Those figures are government statements rather than independent motors.wales verification.

What this means for Wales

The invitation is open to organisations across the UK, so qualifying groups in Wales can consider applying. The announcement does not identify Welsh recipients or ring-fenced funding, and awards remain subject to the assessment process.