Organisations across the UK are invited to apply for a share of £750,000 through the latest round of the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund. The funding, announced today (29 July 2026), aims to encourage thousands more young people to consider careers in aviation.
This marks the fifth year of the fund, which has previously invested over £3 million in 46 organisations over the last four years. These projects have inspired more than a million young people, particularly those aged 16 and over from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds, to explore careers such as piloting, engineering, and air traffic control.
Grants from the fund will continue to support outreach programmes, mentoring, careers events, and interactive learning experiences. These initiatives are designed to provide young people with the confidence, skills, and knowledge needed to pursue careers they might not have considered.
Aviation Minister Keir Mather stated that aviation careers should be open to every young person with ambition and talent, regardless of background. Sophie Jones, Head of Customer Experience and STEM Sponsor at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, highlighted the fund's role in supporting organisations that inspire young people and help build a more diverse workforce.