Airbus Endeavr Wales (Endeavr) is a unique research and innovation joint initiative between the Welsh Government, Airbus Defence and Space, and Cardiff University (representing the wider Welsh university sector).
Introduction
We are inviting bids for the evaluation of research and technology development activities conducted by Airbus Endeavr Wales (Endeavr).
Airbus Endeavr Wales (Endeavr) is a unique research and innovation joint initiative between the Welsh Government, Airbus Defence and Space, and Cardiff University (representing the wider Welsh university sector).
Established in 2010, the programme funds and supports early-stage research to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and academic institutions in Wales turn innovative ideas into reality and achieve real commercial value.
The initiative operates out of Airbus Defence and Space Ltd registered offices at the Quadrant in Celtic Springs, Newport. The programme is jointly financed through matching contributions from Airbus Defence and Space Limited and the Welsh Government. There is no financial commitment, but based on a 2024 review and recommendations current proposal is that the programme should continue until 2029 to commission research and technology projects.
The initiative is designed as a "challenge led, place-based" innovation model, enabling successful Welsh based industry partners and universities to work with Airbus on its research innovation proposals. Its primary goals include:
● Economic Acceleration: Boosting the Welsh economy by supporting high-skilled jobs and embedding Airbus global tech capabilities within the local ecosystem.
● Industrial Solutions: Helping Airbus Defence and Space solve complex technology roadmaps and industrial challenges.
● Funding Multiplier: In recent years, it has drawn an additional £1.6 million in funding from outside sources, outstripping the initial core investments made by its founding partners.
The project focuses heavily on AI, digital, cyber and advanced engineering innovation research in support of Airbus’ research priorities. Notable ongoing fields of research include:
● Cyber Security & Resilience: It has supported initiatives like the Cyber Innovation Hub for Wales and Cardiff University’s Airbus Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Analytics.
● This includes funding tech startups like to Nisien to detect generative AI misinformation online
Business Review Airbus Endeavr Wales
● Aerospace Systems: Partnering with institutes like Swansea University to build cyber-resilient aerospace designs.
● Sustainability: Funding collaborative projects between the University of South Wales (USW) and Bangor University to track pollutants like PFAS.
● Advanced Engineering: Exploring innovations in solar cells for aerospace, optical communications, and novel materials.
How the Programme Works
Airbus Endeavr launches and manages challenge competitions (typically announced in the autumn).
1. Challenge Call Launch: Challenges target specific gaps or priority areas in the Airbus ‘research portfolio’, such as simulating radio frequency detection or handling multi-domain sensor communications.
2. Pitch Day: following a written proposal, shortlisted Welsh tech startups, SMEs, and academic teams pitch their proposals to a joint panel of business and technical experts from Airbus, the Welsh Government, and Cardiff University.
3. Research & Technology Development: Selected projects receive funding and fast-tracked development support to build rapid proofs-of-concept up to Trl6.
The 2024 business review confirmed that Airbus Endeavr Wales remains a premier research funding model driven by industry-government-academic partnerships. Since transitioning to a 'challenge-led' approach between 2021 and 2023, the program has successfully aligned research with Airbus’s strategic technology roadmaps, increasing the adoption rate of new innovations. Endeavr consistently met its KPIs, particularly regarding follow-up funding. By strengthening the Welsh innovation ecosystem, the program continues to drive high-tech development and high-value employment across the region.
Request for Proposal
The objective is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the activities of Airbus Endeavr Wales, covering the period following the previous review completed in December 2024.
In accordance with the Business Plan, the primary strategic objectives are to:
● Identify and evaluate emerging technologies through world-class research to support the sustainable development of Airbus Defence and Space;
Business Review Airbus Endeavr Wales
● Cultivate and strengthen regional industrial and academic capabilities of strategic importance;
● Facilitate the cross-sector exploitation of developed technologies to drive economic growth within the participating regions; and
● Execute these objectives with maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Since the 2024 review is the strategic emphasis has been to:
1. Enhance Impact Capture and Demonstration
2. Institutionalise the Program’s Network
3. Optimise Digital Presence and Engagement
4. Foster SME-Academic Collaboration
5. Strengthen University Research Development Partnership
Project Brief
The business review project is to undertake a review and evaluation based upon, but not limited by following activity:
● review the nature of activity undertaken over the period 2023-to date, as detailed in Annex A
● examine how far recommendations in the earlier evaluation report are being met within the framework of the Airbus Endeavr initiative
● review the activities of Endeavr in the last 3 to 4 years and how far the current programme of activities links to beneficial quantifiable and unquantifiable outcomes for the Welsh economy and society
● examine how far the activity of Airbus Endeavr links with needs identified in recent economic policy and strategy documents for the UK and Wales especially related to industrial, defence, manufacturing and AI.
● examine how far funded project objectives have been met, and meet the objectives of the Endeavr initiative, and how project outcomes have been used internally by Airbus or exploited wider afield.
● Consider and make recommendations on the existing funding structure / processes including:
○ How do Airbus develop their challenge requirements
○ How do Airbus market, communicate, exploit and utilise the project outcomes
○ What would be the impact of supporting longer more detailed projects (e.g 3 years) compared to smaller short-term projects.
● provide conclusions on the most effective elements of activity undertaken by Endeavr
● present recommendations to the Endeavr board following from the review to guide future activity, processes, funding and technology priorities.
Methods
We would expect that the study will be predominantly desk based but with a series of interviews (on-line and inperson) with Endeavr stakeholders through which to assess progress of the initiative.
We would expect you to undertake 8-10 individual consultations over the project. In particular consultation with the project leads within Endeavr and the challenge leads (undertaken by Simply-Do).
We would provide material relating to recent Endeavr projects and other linked activities supported by the initiative
Timescale and Resources
The project plan should begin during Aug 2026, and a draft report should be available in Q4/2026, for finalisation and implementation in readiness for a 2027 challenge.
The main activities should cover, but not limited by:
● Background reading and research
● Examination of strategic documents
● Consultations with Airbus Endeavr staff and project leads
● Consultations with Airbus Defence and Space, the Welsh Government and Cardiff University
● Report writing and analysis
● Presentation of findings to the Executive Committee and Board
The final report should be around 10-15 pages, succinct and to the point.
Pricing
● Your price should include for research, examination, discussion, evaluation and production of the draft followed by the final report by December 2026.
● A presentation of the final report to the Endeavr Executive Committee and Board on or at a later date.
● Any further work or changes to the original scope to be agreed by the operations manager.
Business Review Airbus Endeavr Wales
Deliverables
● A Draft evaluation report, consulting and working with stakeholders.
● A Final evaluation report.
● Presentation to the Executive Committee and Board.
Conflict of Interest
Due to the nature of the work the parties will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Any conflict of interest should be declared as part of the proposal and if any likelihood it could arise please describe how this will be mitigated.
First published
04 August 2026
Last updated
04 August 2026