Background

JCATI Fact Sheet                 JCATI Code of Conduct

The Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation (JCATI) is a Washington legislature funded program for WA aerospace industry-university College of Engineering collaborations to move innovative technologies into production.  JCATI resources are available to all public Washington State four-year institutions of higher education and  is enacted by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28B.155.010. In 2020, the legislature reauthorized JCATI under SSB 6139 with a new sunset date of July 1, 2030.The JCATI program is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all project participants. We envision JCATI projects as opportunities to become part of the aerospace field regardless of race, ethnicity and gender identity. A diverse aerospace workforce enhances collaboration and the creation of new ideas for the aerospace industry, our universities, and Washington State. 

JCATI prefers to fund Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4-7 technology challenges consisting of component validation in laboratory or operational environment moving on to full system prototype testing. JCATI provides a place for industry to test technology ideas by leveraging academic expertise. University engineering faculty receive funding to work on their industry partner's challenges which ensures that company production levels are unaffected. The goal is a transition of the technology from academia to industry within 1-2 years (often much sooner).

Aerospace companies of all sizes and expertise have benefitted from JCATI collaborations including Echodyne, Zodiac Aerospace, Global Fiberglass Solutions, Robodub, Esterline, Systima, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Boeing. Potential collaborations are submitted in February, undergo a review process and begin on July 1. For details on the funding process, visit our funding page.

Annual Symposium

Since 2012, JCATI has provided over $14.3 M in funding to 166 projects in areas such as composites, biofuels, space, commercial flight and manufacturing. JCATI supported research is highlighted at its annual  April symposium. Our video archive features previous symposium speakers along with JCATI awardees describing their project transitions.

The 2025 JCATI symposium will be held  April 10 at the University of Washington.