Launch of UK Space Agency Enabling Technologies Programme

New funding programme contributing to the future capability of the UK space sector and research base.

The UK Space Agency Enabling Technologies Programme contributes to the future capability of the UK space sector and research base by providing funding to develop emerging innovative technologies by raising Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) positioning UK space activities closer to commercial or scientific exploitation.

Applications are invited to Call One for proposals in areas including innovation; innovative technology proof of concept that could result in a significant technological step-change; new technology developments; establishing new academic/industrial research collaborations and feasibility studies targeting emerging disruptive technologies. This call is open to any theme with an interest in: In Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (IOSM) and Optics.

Examples of acceptable activities are:

  • Innovative and/or emerging technology research and development – proof of concept, feasibility studies targeting emerging disruptive technologies
  • In Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (IOSM): emerging technologies relating to IOSM (eg robotics, ADR, LIDAR)
  • Optics: enabling technology relating to optical systems (eg FSO Communication, deployable optics, photonics)

Proposals are expected to seek to focus on ETP supported maturity levels of TRL 1-4, though higher TRL developments will be considered. By the end of the project there must be a tangible improvement in the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the technology or a demonstration of advancement in approach (engineering method, technical competence etc) that would enable such an advance.

Grant funding per project is expected to range from £100,000 to £250,000 per grant. Bids are invited from a variety of organisations including academia, industry and other not-for-profit government research institutes.

Awarded Projects must start no later than 6 February 2023 and must have fully completed by 31 August 2024.

Applications can be submitted until 21 November 2022 (12 noon).

(This report was the subject of a RESEARCHconnect Newsflash.)