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.
National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) Call 2
Funding type: Research, innovation and technology development
Who can apply: A variety of organisations including academia, industry and not-for-profit organisations. All organisations must be registered in the UK.
Funding: At least £17 million available. Kick Starter: up to £1 million. Major Projects: up to £2 million.
Deadline: Outline proposal: 8 May 2025. Full proposal: 23 July 2025 (other deadlines apply).
The UK Space Agency invites proposals for UK-based research and development projects that will deliver innovative space technologies, applications and services through the National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP). NSIP provides co-funded grant support to de-risk high-reward projects with a clear target market.
Exploration Science working group support
Funding type: Travel and time support for academics
Who can apply: Academics selected for groups and/or science teams, campaign science groups and other definition work relating to named UK Space Agency Exploration Science missions.
Award range: Up to £40,000
Closing date: Open until further notice.
See the Exploration Science working group support guidance page to find out how to apply
ARTES: Invitations To Tender (UK support for 2025 workplan on hold)
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 activity
Deadline: Applications for UK support for activities that are in the ARTES 2025 Workplans are on hold 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.
Due to funding availability, we are reviewing our approach towards ESA-initiated tenders offering up to 100% funding. We will not be supporting any further activities before new guidance is published.
Support for activities that were approved within the 2024 workplan remains valid and can be found here.
If you have any questions, you can contact us directly at telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk
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.
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.
General Support Technology Programme (GSTP)
Funding type: Research, innovation, and development
Who can apply: UK organisations and companies (UK Space Agency and ESA approval required)
Deadline: Open until further notice.
The UK Space Agency is looking to provide support to companies and academic institutions across the UK in developing innovative technologies to grow UK capability. We are keen to engage with start-ups and SMEs (from both within and outside the space sector), as well as established companies and organisations. Collaborative proposals are also welcomed.
See the General Support Technology Programme guidance page for details on how to apply.
Closed Opportunities
To view closed opportunities, please visit our closed opportunities page.
Updates to this page
Last updated
-
Removed closed ecosystem call. Updated ARTES call.
Update history
2025-03-29 00:01
Added NSIP Call 2.
2025-03-04 10:08
Removed closed ecosystem call. Updated ARTES call.
2025-02-04 09:00
Student support: ESA microgravity programmes removed, as the opportunity is now closedRemoved ARTES Call for Innovative Hybrid Network Solutions and added Ecosystem Development Programme Funding Call
2024-12-19 15:55
The ARTES Call for Innovative Hybrid Network Solutions has been added to the list, as the call is now open. The TWSTFT call has been moved to closed opportunities.
2024-11-20 15:21
Updated Two-Way Satelite Time and Frequency Transfer (TWSTFT) Capability Project closing date to 11 December.
2024-10-24 11:11
TWSTFT opportunity added to the list of open funding opportunities. ARTES ESA workplan activities moved to closed opportunities.
2024-09-16 15:50
ARTES ESA Workplan Activities: Satellite Quantum Communications Networks (ESA Workplan Activities) added to the list of open funding opportunities.
2024-07-18 16:37
ARTES programme: general call for expressions of interest (EOI) in satellite communication development and SBRI: UK National Active Debris Removal (ADR) Mission Technology Development – Phase 2 have been removed, as they have both closed.ARTES: Invitations To Tender (ESA Workplan Activities) updated.
2024-06-10 12:40
Removed Announcement of opportunity: Unlocking Space for Business as deadline has passed.
2024-05-13 17:43
UK Space Agency-Axiom Space astronaut mission projects 2024/2025, C-LEO programme and Announcement of opportunity: 2024 Exploration Science removed as they have closed.SBRI: UK National Active Debris Removal (ADR) Mission Technology Development – Phase 2 added.
2024-04-19 17:43
Removed Training Programmes Fund as it has now closed.
2024-03-28 11:20
Added Unlocking Space for Business programme.
2024-03-27 11:24
The deadline for applications to the 2024 Exploration Science call have been changed to the following:science overview (for PDRA and fellowship applicants only): 4pm on Thursday 18 April 2024full proposal (for all applicants): 4pm on Thursday 9 May 2024Updated ARTES: Advanced Technology information.Added C-LEO call.
2024-03-11 00:01
Added details about the 2024 Exploration Science funding call, which opened on 11 March 2024.
2024-03-04 16:48
Removed C-LEO open call.
2024-02-26 12:58
Details added about the ARTES programme general call for expressions of interest (EOI) in satellite communication development, as it opened on 26 February 2024.
2024-02-23 17:17
Added details of Training Programmes Fund (Education & Future Workforce Team)
2024-02-20 10:36
UK Space Agency-Axiom Space astronaut mission projects 2024/2025 added to the list of open funding opportunities.
2024-02-08 16:38
Removed closed opportunities.
2024-01-03 10:11
Removed two programmes that have closed (they will be added to the closed programmes page).Updated deadline of the Atmospheric ablation call to from 19 January to 20 January
2023-12-11 16:21
‘Atmospheric ablation: the potential environmental impact of space debris re-entering Earth’s upper atmosphere’ was added as the call went live today (11 December 2023).
2023-12-11 15:29
Science and Exploration Bilateral Programme: Call 2 added, and SBRI: Active Debris Removal Refuelling Mission feasibility study – Phase 1 removed, which closed on 5 December.
2023-11-23 13:04
Added C-LEO call.
2023-11-20 14:10
NSIP Kick Starter and Major Projects calls have been removed from the details section, as they have both closed.
2023-11-14 18:00
The ARTES: Advanced technology call has been put on hold, so changes have been made to the section relating to the call to reflect it is on hold.
2023-11-09 14:57
SciSpacE support AO grant call – autumn 2023 added as the call has opened.
2023-11-08 17:32
‘Phase 2: UK National Delegate support for the ESA Competitiveness and Growth programme’ opened, so added to list of open calls.
2023-11-07 12:40
Space for all fund has been removed as it has closed. The refuelling study call has been added as it has opened.
2023-11-03 16:48
Two programmes that have closed removed from the list of open programmes.
2023-10-11 10:33
Removing the ETP funding call from the body text field as it closed today on 10 October.
2023-10-05 12:19
A new funding call opportunity, NSIP Major Projects funding call, has been added in the main body, in date order.
2023-10-04 10:33
Updated the body field of the page with a new funding call to reflect the Space Cluster Programme funding call opening on 4 October 2023.
2023-09-11 09:30
Added UK National Delegate support for the ESA Competitiveness and Growth programme details and links.
2023-09-01 14:15
Added Space for All Fund. Removed closed ARTES call.
2023-08-29 09:00
Added ETP Call 4.
2023-08-18 15:44
Removed closed opportunities.
2023-07-11 13:30
Added ARTES: UK National Delegate Support for the “Aerial Connectivity” Call.Removed SCIF Call.
2023-06-30 16:41
Removed closed opportunities.
2023-06-20 11:53
Added Space Exploration Advisory Committee Call.
2023-06-13 15:08
Removed closed opportunities.
2023-05-24 00:01
Added Exploration Science Working Group support call.Added General Support Technology Programme call.Added Climate Services Call Two.Added Space Clusters and Infrastructure Fund call.
2023-05-12 11:47
Added ARTES 6G ESA call
2023-04-27 12:32
Added IBF and ETP Call Three open calls.Updated Announcement of Opportunity: 2023 Call for Mars Exploration Science total fund and deadline
2023-04-14 11:14
Added Announcement of Opportunity: Call for the ESA Earth Observation programme, InCubed2
2023-04-11 10:57
Removed SPIN and ARTES calls.Added two Mars Exploration Science calls
2023-03-09 14:58
Corrected funding amount for SciSupport call
2023-03-06 16:33
Added Announcement of Opportunity: 2023 SciSupport AO Grant Call.
2023-02-06 14:36
ARTES UK National Delegate support for the “Connecting People” Call added
2023-01-30 10:25
SPIN 23 funding call added.
2023-01-23 10:37
Funding call added.
2023-01-04 14:34
Expired calls moved to closed opportunities.
2022-12-15 14:58
Announcement of Opportunity: Responsive Mode Call – Exploration Community Development added.
2022-11-21 16:16
ETP Call One removed as deadline has passed.
2022-11-11 16:11
Updated funding opportunities, and moved closed opportunities to a different page.
2022-10-31 09:00
Enabling Technologies Programme – Call Two opened.
2022-10-18 09:09
Corrected closing of Cluster Development call.
2022-10-17 10:41
Call for ideas: UK National Delegate support for the ESA ARTES Partnership Programme Phase 1.
2022-10-06 10:35
Moved LaunchUK Technology Investment funding into Closed for Opportunities section.
2022-09-27 15:22
Added “Opening Space with 5G” and “5G Hub at Harwell” calls
2022-09-26 00:15
Added ARTES and ETP funding calls.
2022-08-25 16:33
Added open calls for cluster funding, space science and exploration bilateral missions, and LaunchUK technology investment.
2022-08-05 15:09
Updated funding opportunities August 2022.
2022-07-14 17:30
Closed announcement of opportunity.
2022-07-05 17:04
Added Enabling Space Exploration and Microgravity Experiments calls.
2022-06-13 15:21
Added 2022 Exploration Science Announcement of Opportunity and Support for Student Teams selected for ESA Microgravity Student programmes Announcement of Opportunity
2022-06-01 15:01
ARTES call for applications opened.
2022-05-05 16:45
Opened NavISP opportunity.
2022-04-12 14:35
Exploration Science Microgravity grant opportunity has closed.