Uk Space Agency
Open opportunities
UK National Delegate support for the OPS-SAT Versatile Optical Laboratory for Telecoms (VOLT) and Lunar Communications - ARTES
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: UK-based organisations working on telecommunications projects. Further eligibility guidance can be found in the accompanying documents.
Funding: Up to 7,000,000 of funding being made available to support the development of the test bed satellite platform, payloads and ground segment. Up to 1,500,000 of funding is being made available to support the development of Lunar Communications. No upper or lower limit has been set for individual projects
Deadline: 4 November 2022
The UK Space Agency is inviting applications for UK support to the ARTES Scylight programme to develop technologies, products, and services in optical and quantum telecommunications to lead or take part in OPS-SAT VOLT and a second call for applications for Lunar Communications.
See the UK National Delegate support for the OPS-SAT Versatile Optical Laboratory for Telecoms (VOLT) and Lunar Communications - ARTES call to find out how to apply.
Spaceflight Competition Fund for rocketry competitions
Funding type: Inspiration and skills
Who can apply: UK organisations, including industry, academia, and institutional bodies.
Funding: It is expected that the UK Space Agency grant amount per project will be up to 100,000 for project deliverables in FY 22/23 and 23/24.
Deadline: 10 November 2022
The Spaceflight Competition Fund is the UK Space Agencys new fund established to support the development of new or existing rocketry competitions.
We are now inviting applications from organisations interested in establishing or further developing existing rocketry competitions.
See the rocketry competitions call to find out how to apply.
Call for ideas: UK National Delegate support for the ESA ARTES Partnership Programme Phase 1
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: UK-based organisations working on telecommunications.
Funding: 15 million.
Deadline: Submission of Expressions of Interest: midday on 17 November 2022. Submission of Outline Proposal cover sheet: midday on 1 December 2022.
The UK Space Agency is seeking industrial partners for major projects in satellite communications through a competitive Call opening in October 2022, with 15 million of funding available.
The phased entry competition will run until Spring 2023 to select the most ambitious and innovative proposals from UK industrial partners. Potential partners will be expected to catalyse investment in the UK economy and champion space to deliver new products and services.
See the Call for Ideas to find out how to apply.
Enabling Technologies Programme - Call One
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: Organisations including academia, industry and (not for profit) government research institutes. Organisations must be registered in the UK
Funding: Grant funding per project is expected to range from 100k to 250k per grant. There is not currently a fixed total amount for the call
Deadline: 21 November 2022
Proposals are sought for projects in areas including innovation; innovative technology proof of concept that could result in a significant technological step-change; new technology developments; establishing new academic/industrial research collaborations and feasibility studies targeting emerging disruptive technologies. This call is open to any theme with an interest in: In Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (IOSM) and Optics.
Example of acceptable activities are:
- Innovative and/or emerging technology research and development proof of concept, feasibility studies targeting emerging disruptive technologies, as detailed above
- In Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (IOSM): emerging technologies relating to IOSM (e.g. robotics, ADR, LIDAR)
- Optics: enabling technology relating to optical systems (e.g.FSO Communication, deployable optics, photonics).
See the Enabling Technologies Programme Call One to find out how to apply.
Enabling Technologies Programme - Call Two
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: Organisations including academia, industry and (not for profit) government research institutes. Organisations must be registered in the UK.
Funding: Grant funding per project is expected to range from 100k to 250k per grant. There is not currently a fixed total amount for the call
Deadline: 12 December 2022
Proposals are sought for projects in areas including innovation; innovative technology proof of concept that could result in a significant technological step-change; new technology developments; establishing new academic/industrial research collaborations and feasibility studies targeting emerging disruptive technologies.
The call is an open call and encourages emerging and innovative technology development proposals in space science technologies.
See the Enabling Technologies Programme Call Two to find out how to apply.
Navigation Innovation Support Programme (NavISP)
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: UK organisations working in positioning, navigation and timing undertaking technology research and development focused on commercial innovation.
Funding: Varies. 100% funding for developing early technologies and innovations; typically between 200,000 and 800,000 for space-enabled positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) technology solutions and innovations.
Deadline: Open until further notice
Since 2017, the UK has invested 50 million into NavISP to support the UK space PNT sector to innovate the next generation of space-enabled and space-supported navigation products, services and applications.
The UK investment in the programme is available to support UK organisations to undertake technology research and development focused on commercial innovation.
See the NavISP announcement of opportunity to find out how to apply. Find out more about the NavISP programme.
Student support: ESA microgravity programmes
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: UK-based teams successfully selected by ESA for certain student support programmes.
Funding: Up to 5,000
Deadline: Open until further notice
This announcement of opportunity offers up to 5,000 (if available) to support students participating in ESA microgravity programmes.
See the announcement of opportunity to find out how to apply.
Closed opportunities
These funding opportunities are not currently open to applicants.
UK National Delegate support for the Opening Space with 5G and 5G Hub at Harwell calls under the ESA Space for 5G & 6G Programme 2022
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: UK industry and academia
Funding: 9,000,000
Deadline for Opening Space with 5G Call: 21 October 2022
Deadline for 5G Hub at Harwell Call: 14 October 2022
The UK Space Agency is running two calls and is inviting applications for UK support for both the Opening Space with 5G and 5G Hub at Harwell Calls, from UK companies looking to develop technologies, products, and services in 5G tel