SAILmark subsidy - Subsidy funding terms and conditions - Civil Aviation Authority

Subsidy funding terms and conditions

Successful applicants will be expected to be able to submit a SAILmark application to our nominated RAE(F) no later than w/e 30January 2026.

The CAA and RAE(F)’s are devoting substantial resource to ensure that the SAILmark assessment can be completed within the stated timeframe. The RAE(F)’s commit to completing the SAILmark assessment by 30 June 2026, this is conditional on UAS manufacturers making the following commitment as part of their entry:

Providing dedicated design and engineering resource over the first week of the assessment process, to work with the RAE(F) to ascertain the evidential requirements they will need to submit to the RAE(F) in order for their SAILmark assessment to be carried out.
Dedicating continued time and resource to provide requested information and answer queries from the RAE(F) in a prompt manner to enable them to deliver the SAILmark assessment within the agreed timeframe.

If the RAE(F) is unable to complete the SAILmark assessment within the specified timeframe for any reason outside of their control, then the CAA and UKRI will meet assessment costs up until 30 June 2026. If at that point the SAILmark assessment has not been completed, then the UAS manufacturer can opt to contract with the RAE(F) under their standard terms to complete that assessment. Any further costs incurred by the RAE(F) to complete the SAILmark assessment beyond 30 June 2026 will need to be met by the UAS manufacturer.

For the avoidance of doubt, for example: If the applicant/manufacturer needs to undertake further testing to evidence compliance with any of the assessment criteria, then the CAA and UKRI will meet assessment costs up until 30 June 2026. After that point, if the UAS manufacturer wishes to complete the SAILmark assessment, then they will need to contract the RAE(F) under their standard terms to complete that assessment.

Applicants should be aware that this funding only enables the nominated RAE(F)’s to complete an independent flightworthiness assessment on the UAS(s) chosen by the assessment panel. Based on their findings and recommendations, solely the RAE(F)’s determine whether to recommend to the CAA that a SAILmark can be issued at the SAIL level of assessment. Absolutely no pressure or obligation is placed by the CAA on the RAE(F)’s to recommend the issue of a SAILmark to the recipient of this funding.

14. Declaration

(Required) By ticking this box, I confirm that I have understood and consent to the subsidy funding terms and conditions on behalf of my organisation.

I also confirm that I/we understand that if the SAILmark assessment process is not complete by 30 June 2026, then at that point the UK Government/CAA will not be liable for any further costs.

If my organisation wishes to complete the SAILmark assessment process, we will need to contract with the RAE(F) - subject to their standard terms and conditions and we will be liable for the cost of the remainder of the assessment process.