Funding for space-related R&D, innovation and education
Opportunities for organisations working in the UK space sector
Several funding calls from the UK Space Agency and the space sector academic, education and community partners, are currently open for applications.
UK Space Agency-Axiom Space astronaut mission projects 2024/2025
Funding type: Research, innovation, technology development and missions
Who can apply: A range of types of UK organisations and companies
Funding: £15 million total
Deadline: For Science Experiments, the Science Case Overview must be submitted by 4pm on 4 March 2024, and full proposals must be submitted by 4pm on 29 April 2024.
For Technology Demonstrators, all information must be submitted by 4pm on 29 April 2024.
Find out more: UK Space Agency-Axiom Space astronaut mission projects 2024/2025.
Announcement of opportunity: 2024 Exploration Science
Funding type: Research, innovation, and development
Who can apply: Academics working at UK research organisations to fund studentships, post doctoral research associates (PDRA) and fellowships
Funding: Up to £500,000 for studentships and £1.5 million for standard grants
Closing dates:
- science overview deadline (For PDRA and fellowship applicants only): 4pm on Thursday 18 April 2024
- full proposal deadline (For all applicants]): 4pm on Thursday 9 May 2024
Please note that to be eligible for standard grants (Post doctoral research associates and fellowships) you must submit your science overview by 4pm on 18 April 2024. This does not apply to studentships.
Find out more: Exploration Science Programme 2024 funding call.
ARTES programme: general call for expressions of interest (EOI) in satellite communication development
Funding type: Technology development
Who can apply: UK-based companies and organisations
Funding: envelope of £10 million
Deadline: Submission of expressions of interest - midday on Friday 12 April 2024; submission of cover sheet - midday on Monday 17 June 2024
This is an open call for expressions of interest in delivering future satellite innovation under the Competitiveness and Growth call of the European Space Agency (ESA) ARTES Programme.
C-LEO programme
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: UK-based companies and organisations, including academia
Funding: up to £60 million
Deadline: Midday BST on Wednesday 8 May 2024
The UK Space Agency Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme will provide up to £160 million of grant funding and contract awards over the next 4 years to UK companies and researchers to develop innovative satellite communications technology.
This first call will provide up to £60 million over the next 4 years.
Find out more and apply for the C-LEO programme.
Unlocking Space for Business funding
Funding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: UK-based companies and organisations working in financial services or transport and logistics, in partnership with satellite data or service suppliers
Funding: up to £3.5 million
Deadline: 4pm BST on Wednesday 22 May 2024
Proposals are sought for innovative pilot projects, funded by the UK Space Agency’s Unlocking Space for Business programme.
Up to £3.5 million is available to trial new solutions that use satellite data and services to benefit their organisation.
Find out more and apply for Unlocking Space for Business funding.
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.
Find out more: Exploration Science working group support.
ARTES: Advanced Technology (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 into this ESA programme are on hold until Spring 2024
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.
The UK Space Agency is reviewing its approach towards ESA Advanced Technology Programme and will look to publish further details in Spring 2024. They will not be supporting any further activities before new guidance is published.
If you have any questions, you can contact them 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 and find out 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:
- 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 GSTP guidance page for details on how to apply.
Closed opportunities
To view closed opportunities, please visit the closed opportunities page.
First published 23 January 2023