Announcement of Opportunity: Space Cluster Development Funding Call
The UK Space Agency invites proposals for funding to support the development of world-class UK space clusters.
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The UK Space Agency is looking to fund locally led, high impact projects aimed at accelerating the development of the thriving, resilient and well-connected ecosystem the UK needs to achieve its space ambitions and realise the full economic potential of space across the UK.
Levelling-up - boosting space investment and jobs across the country - is one of the UK Space Agency’s priorities, with space driving growth and productivity across many areas of the UK economy.
This call aims to support the development of world class space clusters, a key strategic objective set out in the National Space Strategy.
Two funding pots will be made available.
The submission deadline is 21 October 2022.
Funding Pot A
Provision has been made for between £150k and £500k grant funding for full stage proposals. Projects should start from October 2022 and end by March 2025. This funding is aimed at enabling the delivery of high impact, locally led projects that will catalyse investment and deliver more jobs, skills and capabilities for the area as they mature.
As part of funding pot A, small grants of up to £20,000 will be awarded for proposals to deliver project scoping work for the aforementioned high impact investment projects. Smaller scoping projects will run between October 2022 and March 2023.
Funding Pot B
Procure a Space Cluster Development Manager. This dedicated human resource should be tasked by the applicant with delivering against clearly defined Key Performance Indicators, driving forward the recommended actions and vision of a local space strategy for a clearly defined region. Proposals are anticipated for between £30,000 and a maximum grant value of up to £150k per annum, but all proposals for single or multiple activities will be considered up to £150k. Robust and well-evidenced costings will be expected within the application for all funded activity, which must be delivered before 31 March 2025.
Local civic partners are encouraged to act as the lead applicant. Where this is not the case, the lead applicant must partner with, or secure written endorsement from, the relevant local economic development body to ensure alignment with a local strategy.
The proposals should provide clear and compelling evidence for the latent space sector potential within the region and the anticipated impact the proposed funding will have, providing clear added value to current and future local space sector development plans.
To be successful, applications must build on existing space sector investment, research and capabilities in the region and present a valid proposal for new activities that should have a demonstrable impact on local economic growth.
Updates to this page
Last updated 18 October 2022 + show all updates
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Extended and updated application deadlines and schedule. Updated Annex C with word counts. Added FAQs document.
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First published.