Enabling Technologies Programme – Call Four

Fund details

Proposals are sought for projects 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 an open call with no specific technology theme.

Examples of acceptable activities are;

• Innovative and/or emerging technology research and development – proof of concept, feasibility studies targeting emerging disruptive technologies
• Prototyping or engineering model with relevant environment testing

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 and support the space industry:

The UK Space Agency expects proposals to seek to focus on ETP-supported maturity levels of TRL 1 to 4, though higher TRL developments will be considered.

Awarded Projects may start from November 2023 and must have been fully completed within the 12-month project lifetime.

Grant funding per project is expected to range from £100k to £250k per grant. In exceptional circumstances, the UK Space Agency reserve the right to adjust the value or duration of the grant funding available.

Eligibility

The Space Agency welcomes bids from a variety of organisations including academia, industry and other not-for-profit organisations;

• There are a series of requirements for eligibility to receive grant funding: All applicants must also provide brief and relevant company or organisation background information, including areas of expertise
• Grant recipients must demonstrate the ability to effectively manage a project
• Grant recipients must have a UK bank account and all grant payments will be made in UK sterling (as per the grant funding agreement)
• All organisations including partner organisations must also be registered in the UK and provide information about their company registration and official address
• All project members must have in place and provide evidence of appropriate anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies
• All project members must provide evidence of a process for declaring and managing conflicts of interest
• All project members must be able to provide evidence that they are General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) compliant
• Projects cannot work in areas that are in active conflict and any travel overseas must comply with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) recommendations
• Projects must pass due diligence checks on company viability (financial standing assessment, governance, conflicts of interest, technical expertise)
• Formal teaming or equivalent agreements between project partners must be in place within 60 calendar days of the grant signature
• Projects must comply with the rules stated in this guidance document

Following receipt of bids and before the award of any contract, new entrants will be required to provide additional eligibility details;

• Evidence of company legitimacy and financial solvency supported by e.g., Company Annual Reports
• Details of company quality processes and accreditation
• Track record supported by reputation or by statements from referees and customer testimonials

For newly formed companies that do not have first-year accounts then one or more of the following could be deemed as acceptable proof of eligibility;

• Reference from their bank – confirming capital solvency and appropriate management of finances etc industry/trade reference from either customers or suppliers
• Companies house registration details