Funding & Projects

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.

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.

ESA Space Solutions is the go-to place for great business ideas involving space in all areas of society and economy. Our mission is to support entrepreneurs in Europe in the development of business using satellite applications and space technology. Our network includes the ESA Business Applications Ambassadors and the recurring ESA Investor Forum.

ESA Space Solutions and Business Applications are part of ESA’s ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) 4.0 Programme. We provide different types of funding opportunities such as Kick-Starts, Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects and support the development of sustainable services utilising space assets.

Space assets like satellite data or spaceflight technologies offer many opportunities and solutions to businesses. Are you an entrepreneur, or are you running a start-up or an established business? Then you might be interested to apply for our different funding opportunities. See the link below for more information.

The Business Applications and Space Solutions Programme (BASS) programme, in partnership between the UK Space Agency and European Space Agency (ESA), is a commercially focused space applications programme that delivers innovative uses of space assets and data. BASS offers funding and support to businesses from any sector who intend to use space (for example, satellite navigation, earth observation, satellite telecommunication, space weather) to develop new commercial services.

ESA Business Applications’ Call for proposals (Direct Negotiation) is always open. Businesses from any sector can apply throughout the year, and the amount of funding may vary according to the project. The goal of this activity is for the business to develop a new commercial service that utilises one or more space asset (such as Satellite Communications, Earth Observation, Satellite Navigation, Human Spaceflight technologies and other space assets).

The Commercial Applications enabled by Space Environments (CASE) Open Call for Proposals supports the development of commercial services that benefit from microgravity and space environments.

ESA open call “Space4Rail Downstream Applications in ARTES 4.0” aims to support the exploitation of space-based assets (satellite navigation, satellite communications and/or Earth observation) in innovative and sustainable applications/services:

1. Related to future control, command and signalling applications of the European Rail system;
2. Improving the performance and attractiveness of the railway, both for railway undertakings and end users.

Applications can be submitted anytime.

The Thematic Call for proposals aims at supporting new space-based services for the digital transformation and sustainability of the sport sector, specifically in the organisation, management, and further exploitation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It primarily targets the next Games in Europe – Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026, with the ambition of providing services for the future Games as well, ensuring continuity of the sustainability model.

Unlocking Space for Business is a new UK Space Agency programme supporting companies to deliver operational, customer and environmental benefits through the use of innovative satellite data and services.

Explore is perfect for those making their first steps into the commercial space industry. Perhaps you think of yourself as an “inventor” with a desire to commit to building a scalable business, or maybe you’re working in another industry such as aerospace, law, quantum technology, farming, environmental engineering or healthcare but see the potential for your idea in space.

Innovate UK Business Growth is a publicly-funded service offering full wrap-around support to pioneering, innovative businesses that drive economic growth including how to exploit business innovation, open new markets, and source funding and finance. Get in touch to find out more. 

Identify opportunities for R&D, collaboration and partnership building with the RTO/Catapult Growth Support programme delivered by Innovate UK Edge. This grant funding allows eligible businesses to claim back % of project activities up to a maximum of £15,000

The overall programme of work is split into two main parts:  Technology Brokerage: This part of the work will see TWI support and promote activities between space and non-space entities, including match-making between interested organisations.

Prepare for Space: This technology transfer programme will allow non-space companies to apply for business and technical support, lowering the barrier of entry to the space industry.

Our aim, as the ESA Technology Broker in the UK is focused on building an ecosystem that fuels technical innovation and mutual growth between terrestrial and space industries to create a collaborative environment that delivers tangible outcomes. These collaborative, commercial activities will create a bridge between different industry sectors to share knowledge and information, stimulating non-space companies to enter the space industry as well as leveraging space technologies for terrestrial applications. ‘Prepare for Space’ has been created to support UK companies in finding commercial opportunities in the space industry by providing dedicated business case development training, supply chain understanding, and routes to source funding for projects.

This aspect of the project will also facilitate on-boarding for non-space companies into ESA programmes, providing information and training on ESA opportunities, technology transfer and calls.

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.

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.

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.

InCubed stands for ‘Investing in Industrial Innovation’ and is a Public Private Partnership co-funding programme run by the ESA Φ-lab. InCubed focuses on developing innovative and commercially viable products and services that generate or exploit the value of Earth observation imagery and datasets. The programme has a very wide scope and can be used to co-fund anything from building satellites to ground applications and everything between or to develop new EO business models.