UK Space Agency announces £50 million for satellite communications
The UK Space Agency is calling for expressions of interest as part of a £50 million funding round, with further funding available in the event of oversubscription.
The funding falls under the European Space Agency’s ARTES programme, in which the UK is one of the leading investors of the Programme after having committed £190m to the programme in November last year.
The Agency is running a webinar ‘Partnership Call for Proposals: Introduction to the ESA ARTES Partnership Programme and what the UK is looking for’ which is scheduled for Friday 27 January from 12:30.
What will a successful proposal look like?
All successful proposals will be based in telecoms and, according to the UKSA:
- Add value to the UK
- Catalyse investment
- Grow the space sector
Beyond these requirements, UKSA is looking for proposals that will disrupt the existing space sector in ways that will grow both the space and wider UK economy. This innovation can be through bringing new technologies into the space sector. However, it can also refer to new business models, or methods of operating a space-based business, such as by using existing technologies in innovative ways, or even by introducing new sectors into space itself.
Similarly, successful proposals will be clearly though through, with a strong return on investment and ambition in thinking. Proposals should also be as UK-based as possible to ensure as much inward investment as possible, and all expenditure must be outlined in advance.
The agency said projects could be integrated with 5G networks for upgraded infrastructure that enables new services such as drones, driverless haulage and space-based networks.
What is the UKSA offering?
The £50 million in funding has the potential to be increased if oversubscribed.
Proposals by large and non-SME companies, including companies owned by large and non-SME firms, as well as SMEs already undertaking very high-value programmes, can receive up to 50% matched funding. SME entrants meanwhile may be offered up to 75% matched funding.
The proposals funded by the UKSA must be competitive at or below 50% matched funding, and the UKSA will not fund regulatory compliance.
How to apply
To apply, An Expression of Interest document must be submitted to UKSA by Midday 1 March 2023. These will be considered on a rolling basis, so UKSA recommend applying as soon as possible.
Certain submissions will be invited to give a presentation to UKSA. An outline proposal is then due on Midday 15 April 2023, before winners are announced in the summer.
Documents, including guidance and forms, can be found at the UKSA website.
Find out more
UKSA has released guidance outlining more information about the funding round. UKSA is also hosting a series of webinars to explain the round, which you can sign up for at their website.
If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact the team.
Exploring the Potential of Future Telecoms
Visit our Future Telecoms Hub to learn more or to register for regular updates.
Future Telecoms is techUK’s exploration of what the connectivity of tomorrow will look like. We will highlight the criticality of communications to our future prosperity and economic growth, and how the future telecoms ecosystem acts as the engine of innovation. Visit our Future Telecoms Hub to learn more or to register for regular updates.
Upcoming Future Telecoms events
North West Telecoms Showcase – Accelerating growth and connectivity across the region
Liverpool John Moores University Exhibition
Latest news and insights
Get our Telecoms insights straight to your inbox
Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our Communications Infrastructure and Services programme.
Contact the team
Jaynesh Patel
Jaynesh Patel
Jaynesh Patel is Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, leading the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme at techUK and overseeing the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Jaynesh has extensive experience in the sector, having worked for CityFibre (a full fibre broadband company) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on digital infrastructure policy. Most recently Jaynesh led on policy and public affairs in the UK and Ireland for ChargePoint (an EV charging network).
Prior to this Jaynesh worked in the Cabinet Office for more than five years, including over two years at the Government Digital Service (GDS) supporting the digital transformation of UK Government.
Jaynesh has a BSc (Hons) in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE).
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayneshpatel/
Josh Turpin
Josh Turpin
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.
Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/
Matthew Wild
Matthew Wild
Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2000
Tales Gaspar
Tales Gaspar
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 0207 331 2000
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar
Learn more about our Future Telecoms campaign
