Guidance for applying for ‘UK National Delegate’ support for Satellite Quantum Communications Network activities under the ESA ARTES Programme
Published 16 September 2024
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The deadline for applications is Wednesday 23 October 2024.
1. ARTES in the UK
The UK subscribed £190 million to the ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) programme in 2022 to support the UK satellite telecommunications industry. The programme can cover development of components, systems or services, and any aspect of the space, ground or network segments.
Please note that this guidance refers to the technology development elements of the programme and not Business Applications. Find out more about applying for funding support for Business Applications.
1.1 Satellite Quantum Communications Network activities
The United Kingdom is supporting four activities on Satellite Quantum Communications Networks. Those four activities have been announced on ESA-Star and are ready for the publication of their ITTs with a six-week bidding period in keeping with the ESA procurement rules.
| Activity number | Authorised funding | Open Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3A.209 | 200 kEUR | 11 September 2024 | 23 October 2024 |
| 3A.210 | 200 kEUR | 11 September 2024 | 23 October 2024 |
| 3A.211 | 200 kEUR | 11 September 2024 | 23 October 2024 |
| 3A.212 | 200 kEUR | 11 September 2024 | 23 October 2024 |
1.2 How to apply
The four activities have been supported in their entirety by the UK Space Agency with an ‘Authorisation of Funding Letter’ from the UK National Delegate included within the ITT documentation. ESA will assess the quality of the proposals through an open competition between participating member states.
To apply:
- register for ESA-Star
- search for Activity Title on ESA-Star and follow application process
Note: it is only the four activities (3A.209 to 3A.212) that are covered by this guidance, All other ESA ARTES ITTs follow different guidance.
1.3 Post contract award
If successful through the ESA competition, we expect you to stay in touch throughout the life of the programme, from contracting to completion. We expect to publicise most funding awards in coordination with winning companies and to be kept informed of any changes or developments for the duration of the project. This ensures we can support you if any adjustments are needed.
2. Eligibility and assessment criteria
2.1 Eligibility
Please check the ESA guidance on eligibility criteria under the ARTES Programme.
2.2 Match-funding
In line with ESA rules governing invitations to tender (ITT), companies can seek funding of up to 100% for individual project activities. Moreover, SMEs, universities, and Research Institutions can prime proposals and are eligible to apply for complete funding coverage of up to 100%.
2.3 Regulation, licensing and spectrum use and filing
The UK Space Agency will not fund licensing or regulatory compliance activities, either in the UK or overseas.
We expect to see a viable approach to spectrum use in projects and we will not fund activities that are not supported by current UK government policy. Where activities involve the novel use of spectrum, we will expect to see evidence of engagement with relevant regulators which demonstrates programmes are viable and are not dependent on a single high-risk or novel use of spectrum.
2.4 Travel and Subsistence
UK will only support reasonable travel and subsistence costs. No claims for alcohol or entertainment will be accepted.
All projected expenditure must be recorded in the relevant ESA proposal. The UK Space Agency reserves the right not to support projects where costs appear excessive, and any challenges may delay your application to ESA.
If you are in any doubt about what is reasonable you should contact the team.
3. Complaints
If you are unhappy with either the outcome of your application or how the process was managed, or for any other reason, you can make a complaint by contacting the team via email: telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk. Please set out the nature of your complaint in detail. The team will try to resolve a complaint in the first instance but, if resolution is not possible, we will refer it to the UK Space Agency central complaints process, where it will be independently assessed.
4. Further information
If you would like any further information, or have any questions or feedback about this guidance, please contact the team by email: telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.