The ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) Programme

The UK has subscribed over £250 million to the ARTES programme, to support UK industry develop the next generation of telecommunications products, services and applications. This guidance refers to the technology development elements of the programme and not Business Applications.

Information on how to apply for Business Applications.

Funding Opportunities

ARTES has two main funding programmes.

Advanced Technology

This is an ESA-initiated programme offering 100% funding for developing early technologies and innovations. Invitations to tender 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, 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.

Application forms for Expressions of Interest and Advanced Technology are available above.

Competitiveness and Growth

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

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

Further details on the ESA application process are available on the ESA website.

New Applications (Competitiveness and Growth)

The UK Space Agency is inviting applications for UK support to the ARTES Competitiveness and Growth programme from UK companies looking to develop technologies, products and services in telecommunications. This first general call, with up to €20,000,000 of funding being made available, is for all satellite telecommunications activities.

No upper or lower limit has been set for individual projects. All projects must include an element of matched funding to be eligible under the programme. Further details on matched funding and other eligibility requirements are contained in the guidance document above.

Please read the guidance on how to apply for UK support and note the requirement to submit an Expression of Interest, prior to the submission of your proposal.

The last call closed in January 2022.

Current funding opportunities

We are currently running an Optical and Lunar communications call for proposals. This call will run from 22 September 2022 to 4 November 2022. Further details surrounding this call can be found here.

The UK Space Agency is also running two Calls under the ARTES Telecoms Space for 5G Strategic Programme Line. We are inviting applications for UK support, for both the “Opening Space with 5G” and “5G Hub at Harwell” Calls, from UK companies looking to develop technologies, products, and services in 5G telecommunications.

We also organised two 5G industry-focused events: a Webinar and an Open Day.

Our Call for Ideas: UK National Delegate support for the ESA ARTES Partnership Programme Phase 1 is now open. The deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest is midday on 17 November 2022 and the deadline for submission of Outline Proposal cover sheet is midday on 1 December 2022.

Complaints

If you are unhappy with either the outcome of your application or how the process was managed, or for any other reason, you can make a complaint by contacting the team at artes@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.

Please set out the nature of your complaint in detail. The team will try to resolve a complaint in the first instance but, if resolution is not possible, we will refer it to the UK Space Agency central complaints process, where it will be independently assessed.

Further information

If you would like any further information, or have any questions or feedback about this guidance, please contact the team at artes@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.

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