Uk Space Agency
Open opportunities
LaunchUK Technology Investment
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: Organisations, including industry and academia, that are interested in developing their technology, products, services or capabilities related to UK Launch.
Funding: Grant amount per project will lie between 10,000 and 400,000 for project deliverables to be completed by March 2023 (FY 22/23). The UK Space Agency reserves the right to also consider proposals that may be above the maximum amount stated.
Deadline: 2 October 2022
The UK Space Agency is inviting applications from organisations that are interested in developing their UK Launch technology, products, services or capabilities. The programme will provide grant funding to UK project teams to support the development of their technology, products, services and capabilities.
See the LaunchUK technology investment call to find out how to apply.
Space Cluster Development Funding Call
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: Space clusters and regions. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact localgrowth@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.
Funding: Varies. 5.2 million between two funding pots, for high-impact projects (Pot A) and space cluster management (Pot B), with grants between 20,000 and 500,000.
Deadline: 14 October 2022
This call aims to support the development of world class space clusters, a key strategic objective set out in the National Space Strategy.
To be successful, applications must build on existing space sector investment, research and capabilities in the region and present a valid proposal for new activities that should have a demonstrable impact on local economic growth.
See the cluster funding announcement of opportunity to find out how to apply.
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.
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 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.
Bilateral Space Science and Exploration Missions - Statement of Intent Phase
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: Higher Education institutions and other research organisations based in the UK
Funding: The total budget available for the call (all three categories) will not exceed 3 million in FY 2022/23. Additionally, subject to funds being made available, budget will not exceed 7 million in 2023/24, and 11 million in 2024/25.
Deadline: 14 September 2022
The UK Space Agency announces a new funding line for a Space Science and Exploration (SS&E) programme featuring bilateral agreements with international space agencies outside of ESA (e.g. NASA/US, JAXA/Japan, CSA/Canada).
Due to time constraints, this first competition will be managed by the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI). The UK Space Agency funds the CEOI, which is a partnership of Airbus Defence and Space Ltd, QinetiQ Ltd, University of Leicester and UKRI Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. It is anticipated that the transition of successful proposals to contract and future calls will be managed by a new team in the UK Space Agencys Technology, Science and Exploration (TSE) directorate.
ARTES UK National Delegate Support Programme
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: UK companies looking to develop technologies, products and services in telecommunications.
Funding: Up to 10,000,000. No upper or lower limit has been set for individual projec