Guidance

Apply for funding: space-related R&D, innovation and education

Details on open funding opportunities from the UK Space Agency, the space sector, academic, education and community partners.

From:
UK Space Agency
Published
30 April 2014
Last updated
2330 January 2023 — See all updates

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ARTES Competitiveness and Growth

Funding type: Research, innovation and development

Who can apply: UK organisations and companies (UK Space Agency approval required)

Funding: All projects are subject to the usual European Space Agency (ESA) rules surrounding matched funding

Deadline: 3 March 2023

This is an industry-led programme offering matched funding for developing commercial satellite communications technology solutions and innovations.

AsCompanies part of the application process, companies will need to apply to the UK Space Agency for approval before they submit their application to ESA.

ARTES Advanced Technology

Funding type: Research, innovation and development

Who can apply: UK organisations and companies (UK Space Agency and ESA approval required)

Funding: Dependent on Advanced Technology project

Deadline: Open until further notice

This is an ESA-initiated programme offering up to 100% funding for developing early technologies and innovations. Invitations To Tender (ITT) are listed on the ESA website here.

As part of the application process, companies will need to apply to the UK Space Agency for approval before they submit their application. This is a three-stage application process, in which:

  • applicants should complete an Expression of Interest form in the first instance
  • successful applicants will be asked to complete the Advanced Technology application form
  • successful applicants can apply to ESA

See the ARTES page for Application forms for Expressions of Interest and Advanced Technology to find out how to apply

Please submit an Expression of Interest to the UK Space Agency, prior to the submission of your proposal. See further details on the ESA application process on the ESA website.

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.

Responsive Mode Call - Exploration Community Development

Funding type: Development and promotion of UK space exploration community

Who can apply: UK individuals and organisations

Funding: Support will be granted to a maximum of £50,000.

Deadline: Open until further notice.

The UK Space Agency will, subject to budget being available in any given financial year, make available funds to support activities such as:

  • community building activities

  • establishing networking opportunities

  • showcases and/or organisation attendance at appropriate conferences

Applicants should detail how the proposed activity benefits the UK space exploration community.

See the call and find out how to apply.

Closed Opportunities

To view closed opportunities, please visit our closed opportunities page.

Published 30 April 2014
Last updated 2330 January 2023 + show all updates

  1. SPIN 23 funding call added.

  2. Funding call added.

  3. Expired calls moved to closed opportunities.

  4. Announcement of Opportunity: Responsive Mode Call - Exploration Community Development added.

  5. ETP Call One removed as deadline has passed.

  6. Updated funding opportunities, and moved closed opportunities to a different page.

  7. Enabling Technologies Programme - Call Two opened.

  8. Corrected closing of Cluster Development call.

  9. Call for ideas: UK National Delegate support for the ESA ARTES Partnership Programme Phase 1.

  10. Moved LaunchUK Technology Investment funding into Closed for Opportunities section.

  11. Added “Opening Space with 5G” and “5G Hub at Harwell” calls

  12. Added ARTES and ETP funding calls.

  13. Added open calls for cluster funding, space science and exploration bilateral missions, and LaunchUK technology investment.

  14. Updated funding opportunities August 2022.

  15. Closed announcement of opportunity.

  16. Added Enabling Space Exploration and Microgravity Experiments calls.

  17. Added 2022 Exploration Science Announcement of Opportunity and Support for Student Teams selected for ESA Microgravity Student programmes Announcement of Opportunity

  18. ARTES call for applications opened.

  19. Opened NavISP opportunity.

  20. Exploration Science Microgravity grant opportunity has closed.

  21. Updated with relevant information.

  22. Updated information.

  23. New announcement of opportunity added. Funding support for students selected for ESA microgravity programmes.

  24. Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) funding opportunity added.

  25. Page updated to reflect new space for all grant call.

  26. Dated content removed and updated with a link to the latest Space for All grant call.

  27. Calls for proposals are no longer available

  28. The 2018 space call in Horizon 2020 has been published. Information added to page.

  29. Case study document attached

  30. Space for All guidance updated

  31. IPP Finance Form added

  32. National Space Technology Programme announcement of opportunity published.

  33. Attachments inserted

  34. Space for All community grant scheme updated. New round of funding announced.

  35. Update to National Space Technology Programme funding information.

  36. International Space University (ISU) – Scholarship Scheme information added.

  37. Space for Smarter Government Programme call for proposals information added.

  38. Space for All small awards scheme documents updated.

  39. National Space Technology Programme funding round two, call for space technology proposals information added.

  40. Announcement of the second round of the National Space Technology Programme funding added.

  41. Aurora outreach announcement of opportunity, guidance and application form.

  42. First published.

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