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.

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.

ARTES Call - General Summer 2025

Funding type: Research, innovation and technology development

Who can apply: Please check the ESA guidance on eligibility criteria under the ARTES Programme. In addition to this, the UK Space Agency will apply eligibility criteria (please see call for details).

Funding: The envelope of this call is £15 million

Deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest: midday on 31 July 2025

We are inviting proposals from applicants looking to develop technologies, products and services in satellite telecommunications. These can cover development of components, systems or services, and any aspect or combination of the space, ground or network segments.  

Climate Services Call 3

Funding type: Research, innovation and technology development

Who can apply: All UK Space Agency grant recipients are required to meet standard eligibility criteria set out on our grants page here. Additional requirements specific to this grant scheme are set out in the call guidance linked below.

Funding: £300,000 in total funding. Each selected project can receive between £40,000 and £80,000 in grant funding. Please note that grant costs must not exceed £80,000.

Deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest: 23:59 on Sunday 27 July 2025

Following the success of two earlier Climate Service Calls, the UK Space Agency is supporting the development of Earth Observation-enabled climate services by continuing to provide small grants to support the development of pre-commercial UK-based services using satellite Earth Observation data.

Responsive mode call: 2025 SciSpacE support

Funding type: Travel and time support for academics

Who can apply: UK-based researchers who have already secured facility access to research platforms through the ESA SciSpacE Programmes Research Announcements.

Award range: Up to £80,000

Closing date: Open until further notice.

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 £100,000

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

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: Dependent on Advanced Technology activity

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

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: Closed 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

Published 30 April 2014
Last updated 16 July 2025 + show all updates

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