UK launches £65 million funding call for space technologies and applications
Further to last week’s announcement of a £65 million funding call for space technologies and application, we are pleased to provide further information on the National Space Innovation Programme’s (NSIP) two new open funding calls.
These calls build on the successes and lessons of the NSIP pilot and Enabling Technologies Programme (ETP) launched in 2020 and 2022 respectively and will be making up to £65 million in grant funding available over the next four years.
NSIP now consists of two parts, providing end-to-end support across the TRL spectrum from early-stage concepts to commercialisation across the ‘valley of death’. NSIP Kick Starter, which builds upon ETP, will provide grants of £150k-£1m over 18 months for low TRL (1-4) projects with an emphasis on innovation and disruption. NSIP Major Projects, which build upon the NSIP pilot, will offer grants of £1m-£5m for up to 36 months for higher TRL projects (5-9) with an emphasis on catalysing investment and commercialisation.
The first tranche of up to £34 million is open to all proposals across technology, satellite applications and services, and will seek to support the highest quality projects that will drive innovation, accelerate the route to market, and catalyse investment into the UK space sector. NSIP is designed specifically to support high-risk, high-reward and disruptive projects designed and led by UK-based organisations. Whilst the call is open to any ideas, UKSA have allocated up to 30% of the funds in Call One on the following strategically important themes:
• In orbit servicing capability (High-cadence, high volume complex Rendezvous & Proximity operations)
• In orbit assembly capability
• In orbit manufacturing capability
• In orbit deployment of large structures
Further details on the funding calls, eligibility criteria, and application documents can be found via this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-launches-65-million-funding-call-for-space-technologies-and-applications
For those with questions about the programme, the NSIP team will be hosting an online Q&A session via Eventbrite on October 17th. Tickets can be booked here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-space-innovation-programme-nsip-call-1-bidder-briefing-tickets-704544159547?aff=oddtdtcreator