GovWire

This is a targeted call for expressions of interest in delivering future satellite services under the Competitiveness and Growth call of the ESA ARTES Programme in support of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Very Hard to Reach Programme. The call will make up to 3.5 million of UK funding available. The call is focussed on three different projects.

1. Nomadic Multi-orbit User Terminal Demonstrator (UK funding limit up to 500,000)
2. Papa Stour Service Demonstrator (UK funding limit up to 1 million)
3. Rathlin Island Service Demonstrator (UK funding limit up to 2 million)

Further information can be found in the attached guidance. No lower limit has been set for individual projects. Projects must include an element of matched funding to be eligible under the programme. Further details on matched funding and other eligibility requirements are contained in the guidance document.

Please read the Guidance attachment on how to apply for UK support and note the requirement to submit an Expression of Interest, prior to the submission of your proposal.

A Webinar will be held at 11am to 11:45am Thursday 5 December 2024 (GMT) to explain further details around the call and application process.

The call for expressions of interest opens on Friday 22 November 2024 and will close at midday on Friday 31 January 2025. The UK Space Agency aims to notify all applicants of the results of their expressions of interest by week commencing Monday 10 February 2025.

The call is being run in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and applicants who are invited to apply after submitting an Expression of Interest will need to submit a UK Space Agency Cover Sheet. From there, applicants who secure UK National Delegate Approval for their project can apply directly to ESA.

Schedule for UK support

(Note: This does not include the ESA application process. Please see UK Space Agency guidance for further details on this.)

1. funding call opens: Friday 22 November 2024
2. deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest: 12pm (GMT) on Friday 31 January 2025
3. notification of Expressions of Interest and invitations to Cover Sheet: week commencing Monday 10 February 2025
4. deadline for submission of Cover Sheet: 12pm on Monday 31 March 2025
5. notification of UK outcomes: week commencing Monday 17 April 2025

Any questions about this funding opportunity should be submitted to telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk. Questions submitted to any other UK Space Agency email address will not be considered.

To apply for this call, please download and complete the expression of interest (EOI) Form, which must be submitted by email to telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk by 12pm on Friday 31 January 2025.