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.
Enabling Technologies Programme - Call Four
Funding type: Research, innovation and technology development
Who can apply: Organisations including academia, industry and (not for profit) government research institutes. Organisations must be registered in the UK.
Funding: Grant funding per project is expected to range from £100k to £250k per grant. There is not currently a fixed total amount for the call.
Deadline: Midday on 10 October 2023
The UK Space Agency invites proposals for the Enabling Technologies Programme (Open Call for Technology) Call Four for emerging and innovative technology research and development.
Proposals are sought for projects in areas including innovation; innovative technology proof of concept that could result in a significant technological step-change; new technology developments; establishing new academic/industrial research collaborations and feasibility studies targeting emerging disruptive technologies.
See the application page to apply.
Space for All Fund 2023
Funding type: Education and skills
Who can apply: Eligible organisations include academic or research institutions (including schools, universities, research councils and UK Space Agency partners), charities, trusts and companies (including not-for-profit).
Funding: £500,000 (£50,000 - £100,000 available for each project).
Deadline: 5pm on 27 October 2023
The UK Space Agency is making £500,000 available under its Space for All Fund. The Fund aims to develop new ways to reach young people from all backgrounds and encourage them to pursue STEM education by using the exciting and inspiring context of space.
See the application page to apply.
ARTES: Competitiveness and Growth – General Call
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: 12:00 pm on Tuesday 31 October 2023
This is an industry-led programme offering matched funding for the development of commercial satellite communications technology solutions and innovations.
Companies will need to apply to the UK Space Agency for approval before they submit their application to ESA.
See the UK National Delegate support for the ESA Competitiveness and Growth programme page for Expression of Interest Form and Form Guidance to find out how to apply
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: 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 Advanced Technology page for Expression of Interest Forms and Form Guidance 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:
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community building activities
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establishing networking opportunities
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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.
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Added UK National Delegate support for the ESA Competitiveness and Growth programme details and links.
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Added Space for All Fund. Removed closed ARTES call.
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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.
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Call for ideas: UK National Delegate support for the ESA ARTES Partnership Programme Phase 1.
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Added 2022 Exploration Science Announcement of Opportunity and Support for Student Teams selected for ESA Microgravity Student programmes Announcement of Opportunity
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Space for All community grant scheme updated. New round of funding announced.
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International Space University (ISU) – Scholarship Scheme information added.
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National Space Technology Programme funding round two, call for space technology proposals information added.
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Aurora outreach announcement of opportunity, guidance and application form.
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