Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund

The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund is a UK funding programme designed to inspire more young people to explore careers in aviation and aerospace while helping the sector address future skills shortages. Delivered through the Generation Aviation programme, the fund supports outreach projects that encourage young people to learn about employment opportunities across the industry and develop the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to pursue them.

For the 2026–27 programme, a total of £750,000 is available to organisations delivering innovative projects that support young people aged 16 and above. Funding is focused on activities that provide careers information, employer engagement, workplace experiences, employability support and access to non-formal training pathways that can help participants progress into aviation-related careers.

A key priority of the fund is increasing diversity and inclusion within the aviation workforce. Applicants are encouraged to develop projects that engage individuals from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds, helping to reduce barriers to employment and improve social mobility across the sector.

Projects must also demonstrate clear outcomes and a robust approach to measuring impact. Successful initiatives should show how their activities will lead to meaningful improvements in awareness, aspiration, employability and progression into aviation and aerospace careers.

The programme offers an important opportunity for charities, community organisations, educational providers and other not-for-profit partners to help shape the future workforce while creating lasting opportunities for young people across the UK.

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