Apply for funding: space-related R&D, innovation and education
Details on funding opportunities from the UK Space Agency, the space sector, academic, education and community partners.
Open opportunities
Navigation Innovation Support Programme (NavISP)
ThereFunding aretype: currentlyResearch, noinnovation 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 opportunitiesfor opendeveloping 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.
Closed opportunities
These funding opportunities are not currently open to applicants but are expected to be open for applications in future.applicants.
Exploration Science Microgravity grant
Funding type: Academic research grant
Who can apply: UK based researchers with facility access to microgravity/space environments research platforms
Funding: Up to £5,000 per grant (see announcementannouncement)
Deadline: 11 April 2022
This UK Space Agency grant supports the preparation of experiments that use microgravity and other space environment research platforms.
Space Placements in Industry (SPIN)
Funding type: Work placement support
Who can apply: Organisations offering a work placement
Funding: Up to £3,000 per award (fund of at least £75,000)
Deadline: 1 April 2022
SPIN offers grants of up to £3,000 for organisations to take on graduate or postgraduate students for work placements in the space industry. Learn more about the Space Placements in Industry (SPIN): Award scheme 2022, including eligibility, project suitability, how to apply and more.
Space for All community award scheme
Funding type: Education projects
Who can apply: Academic and research institutions, charitites, trusts and companies, and individuals sponsored by one of these
Funding: Grants of up to £10k (from at least £65k total fund)
Deadline: 18 February 2022
The Space for All community award scheme makes grants of up to £10,000 available for winning proposals for educational projects that capitalise on the inspirational value of space. The deadline for proposals for the 2022 scheme was 18 February.
Horizon Europe
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: Varies but generally universities, scientific communities and industry, including small and medium enterprises
Funding: Dependent upon opportunity
Deadline: 16 February 2022
Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of over €95.5 billion. Organisations and individuals in the United Kingdom can participate through the UK’s association to Horizon Europe by means of a protocol to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The 2021-2022 work programme for Digital, Industry and Space included space-relatead calls for funding applications.
National Space Technology Programme
Funding type: Tech development
Who can apply: Businesses operating in the UK space and related sectors
Funding: Varies, see guidance
Deadline: Not currently open to applications
This programme makes funding opportunities available for early-stage technology development projects that help to grow the UK’s space sector and capability. Read more about the National Space Technology Programme.
National Space Innovation Programme
Funding type: Research and innovation
Who can apply: UK organisations that can demonstrate a high probabiliity of success meeting the aims of a qualifying opportunity
Funding: Maximum £2m per project from a £10m fund
Deadline: Not currently open to applications
This programme supports the development of innovative products, services and technologies that have application in the space sector. Read more about the National Space Innovation Programme
International Partnership Programme
Funding type: Innovation and sustainable development
Who can apply: Organisations who can deliver a project that delivers a sustainable satellite-enabled solution to partners in a developing country
Funding: Up to £8m per project, from a total fund of over £30m per year
Deadline: Not currently open to applications
The International Partnership Programme is a £150m initiative that makes use of the UK space sector’s research and innovation strengths to provide sustainable economic, societal or environmental benefits to emerging and developing economies around the world. It launched in 2016.
Find out more about the International Partnership Programme.
*[NavISP] Navigation Innovation Support Programme *[PNT] Positioning, navigation and timing
Last updated
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Opened NavISP opportunity.
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Exploration Science Microgravity grant opportunity has closed.
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Updated with relevant information.
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Updated information.
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New announcement of opportunity added. Funding support for students selected for ESA microgravity programmes.
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Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) funding opportunity added.
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Page updated to reflect new space for all grant call.
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Dated content removed and updated with a link to the latest Space for All grant call.
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Calls for proposals are no longer available
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The 2018 space call in Horizon 2020 has been published. Information added to page.
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Case study document attached
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Space for All guidance updated
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IPP Finance Form added
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National Space Technology Programme announcement of opportunity published.
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Attachments inserted
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Space for All community grant scheme updated. New round of funding announced.
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Update to National Space Technology Programme funding information.
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International Space University (ISU) – Scholarship Scheme information added.
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Space for Smarter Government Programme call for proposals information added.
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Space for All small awards scheme documents updated.
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National Space Technology Programme funding round two, call for space technology proposals information added.
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Announcement of the second round of the National Space Technology Programme funding added.
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Aurora outreach announcement of opportunity, guidance and application form.
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First published.
Update history
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.