Up to £1.5 million in funding available for innovative technologies that can aid UK Defence and Security to develop future space science and technologies
The Space to Innovate Campaign – Charlie Drop is the third ‘challenge drop’ as part of the Space to Innovate Campaign
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Space Systems Programme are pleased to launch the Charlie Drop of the Space to Innovate Campaign. The Charlie Drop seeks proposals that can aid UK Defence and Security to develop future space science and technologies.
Charlie Drop follows on from the Alpha and Bravo Drops and offers a broader range of challenge areas to explore novel solutions.
Key dates and funding
The total funding available for Space to Innovate – Charlie Drop is £1.5 million (excl VAT). DASA expects to fund between 3 and 12 proposals over a 24 month period.
The deadline to submit a proposal is 12 midday BST on Wednesday 12 July 2023.
Find out moreFunding type: Research, innovation, and development
Who Can Apply: UK businesses or academia developing UK-based climate services
Total Funding Amount:
Deadline: 10am on 26 June 2023
The UK Space Agency is continuing to provide small grants to support the development of pre-commercial UK-based climate services using satellite Earth Observation data.
The monies can be used by the grant recipient to access either the information or resources needed to progress the development of a proposed climate service, enhance an existing climate service, or reach new customers by expanding a proposed climate service offering.
The projects (running for up to 6 months between 1 September 2023 to 1 March 2024) must use satellite EO data and must in some way progress the development of a climate service. They should include a clear business plan and route to market.
This UK Space Agency call complements the other calls planned or expected over the next 12 – 18 months from the UK Space Agency, Space4Climate, EOCIS and the ESA CCI programme. Please be clear in your application why this call is the most appropriate.
Published 23 May 2023
Find out moreFunding type: Research, innovation, and development
Who Can Apply: UK companies and institutions
Total Funding Amount: £50,000,000
Deadline: midday on 5 July 2023
The Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) will award more than £50 million in matched funding to companies and academic institutions, as part of a competition to increase the capability, capacity, and connectivity of the UK’s space R&D infrastructure.
Aimed at supporting the development of the types of pioneering space products that helped the UK to establish its reputation as a space-faring nation, the fund is open to organisations of all sizes and locations, with a weighting towards those outside of the Greater South-East.
Find out moreFunding type: Research, innovation, and development
Who Can Apply: UK companies and institutions
Total Funding Amount: £50,000,000
Deadline: midday on 5 July 2023
The Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) will award more than £50 million in matched funding to companies and academic institutions, as part of a competition to increase the capability, capacity, and connectivity of the UK’s space R&D infrastructure.
Aimed at supporting the development of the types of pioneering space products that helped the UK to establish its reputation as a space-faring nation, the fund is open to organisations of all sizes and locations, with a weighting towards those outside of the Greater South-East.
Find out moreFunding type: Research, innovation and development
Who can apply: UK organisations and companies (UK Space Agency and ESA approval required)
Proposed ESA Budget: €8,000,000, with National Delegate support at up to 100% funding.
Deadline (UK Space Agency): 5pm on 26 June 2023
Deadline (ESA): midday on 14 July 2023
This is an ESA-initiated programme offering up to 100% funding. Find further information on this Invitation To Tender (ITT) on the ESA website.
As part of the application process, companies will need to apply to the UK Space Agency for approval before they submit their final application. This is a three-stage application process, in which:
The UK Space Agency reserves the right to apply additional requirements to any supported ITT. We will notify you once you have registered your interest, if applicable.
Find out moreFunding type: Research, innovation, and development
Who Can Apply: UK organisations and companies (UK Space Agency and ESA approval required)
Deadline: By 5pm on 15 August 2023
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: 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.
Please contact navisp@ukspaceagency.gov.uk with any questions.
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.
Find out moreFunding 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:
Applicants should detail how the proposed activity benefits the UK space exploration community.
Find out moreESA 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.
Find out moreIn an increasingly digital word, security and privacy concerns are becoming a growing priority focus for institutions, consumers and businesses. Satellite communications’ dependence on digital technologies, together with the growing use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, has led to the extension of the attack surface throughout satellites’ lifecycles. In order to sustain competitive advantage over the coming decade, satellite communications need to adopt innovative security technologies and state-of-the-art, security-by-design processes.
At the same time, satellite communications offer a unique alternative to the transmission of data through the terrestrial internet, where it is increasingly vulnerable to potential malicious attacks. Used either as a primary communication means or as a back-up to terrestrial networks, satcom can therefore enhance the security of sensitive data transmission and storage or provide back-up connectivity in case of cyberattacks. This can benefit a wide range of sectors such as transportation, finance, business and government.
This new Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S) Call for Proposals aims to foster the development of innovative satellite communications technologies, products, systems and downstream applications which address these challenges.
Find out moreSub-themes
This funding call consists of 6 sub-themes, each open at a different point in time. Please see the list of currently open or upcoming funding calls and their further specific details below:
Infrastructure underpins both national economies and citizens’ quality of life. It consists of the physical infrastructure needed, for example, to power homes and businesses and to supply the water that people need, but it also includes the digital infrastructure required to manage the transport of goods efficiently, to exchange ideas, and to stay in touch with family and friends. Infrastructure networks account for a substantial proportion of both government and private sector investment and, given its scale, it is critical that such investment is deployed effectively.
A properly functioning and accessible infrastructure is vital for the sustainable economic development of each country. The facilities and services reliant on infrastructure need to be available, accessible, inclusive and beneficial to all. For example, providing dependable and accessible low-emission transport on land, air and sea is critical to achieve net-zero targets, and is widely recognised as being a key contributor to improving livelihoods and economic productivity. Water management is important for supporting industrial utilities. Maintaining a secure and adequate energy supply is fundamental for society and the provision of the services essential for production, communication, and exchange.
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