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.
National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) Call 2
Funding type: Research, innovation and technology development
Who can apply: A variety of organisations including academia, industry and not-for-profit organisations. All organisations must be registered in the UK.
Funding: At least £17 million available. Kick Starter: up to £1 million. Major Projects: up to £2 million.
Deadline: Outline proposal: 8 May 2025. Full proposal: 23 July 2025 (other deadlines apply).
The UK Space Agency invites proposals for UK-based research and development projects that will deliver innovative space technologies, applications and services through the National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP). NSIP provides co-funded grant 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ to de-risk high-reward projects with a clear target market.
Find out more: .
Unlocking Space for Business: Call 2
Funding type: Research, innovation and technology development
Who can apply: A variety of organisations including academia, industry and not-for-profit organisations. All organisations must be registered in the UK
Funding: Up to £400,000 of grant funding is available per project (up to £2 million total funding)
Deadline: 4:00 pm BST on 7 July 2025
The UK Space Agency invites proposals from end-user business led consortiums, with a space supplier and any relevant integrator organisations, for innovative pilot projects to commercialise space solutions within the Financial Services or 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ & Logistics sectors in the UK.
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International Bilateral Fund - Call 2
Funding type: Research, innovation and technology development
Who can apply: A variety of organisations including academia, industry and not-for-profit organisations.
Funding: Up to £5.5 million
Deadline: 12:00 midnight on 7 July 2025
The UK Space Agency invites proposals for projects through the second iteration of the International Bilateral Fund (IBF) that will help strengthen the UK space sector’s international partnerships.
ARTES Call - General Summer 2025
Funding type: Research, innovation and technology development
Who can apply: Please check the ESA guidance on eligibility criteria under the ARTES Programme. In addition to this, the UK Space Agency will apply eligibility criteria (please see call for details).
Funding: The envelope of this call is £15 million
Deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest: midday on 31 July 2025
We are inviting proposals from applicants looking to develop technologies, products and services in satellite telecommunications. These can cover development of components, systems or services, and any aspect or combination of the space, ground or network segments.
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Climate Services Call 3
Funding type: Research, innovation and technology development
Who can apply: All UK Space Agency grant recipients are required to meet . Additional requirements specific to this grant scheme are set out in the call guidance linked below.
Funding: £300,000 in total funding. Each selected project can receive between £40,000 and £80,000 in grant funding. Please note that grant costs must not exceed £80,000.
Deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest: 11:59pm on Sunday 27 July 2025
Following the success of two earlier Climate Service Calls, the UK Space Agency is 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵing the development of Earth Observation-enabled climate services by continuing to provide small grants to 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ the development of pre-commercial UK-based services using satellite Earth Observation data.
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Responsive mode call: 2025 SciSpacE 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ
Funding type: Travel and time 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ for academics
Who can apply: UK-based researchers who have already secured facility access to research platforms through the ESA SciSpacE Programmes Research Announcements.
Award range: Up to £80,000
Closing date: Open until further notice.
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Exploration Science working group 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ
Funding type: Travel and time 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ 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: .
ARTES: Invitations To Tender
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: Dependent on Advanced Technology activity
This is an ESA-initiated programme offering up to 100% funding for developing early technologies and innovations. Invitations To Tender (ITT) are .
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If you have any questions, you can email 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 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ the UK space PNT sector to innovate the next generation of space-enabled and space-91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵed navigation products, services and applications.
The UK investment in the programme is available to 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ UK organisations to undertake technology research and development focused on commercial innovation.
See the and find out about the .
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 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ 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 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 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ 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 for details on how to apply.
Closed opportunities
To view closed opportunities, please visit the .
First published 23 January 2023