|
Your monthly Funding Flash is here, bringing together the latest grants, loans and funding programmes from across the UK and Europe, carefully curated by Space South Central to save you time and help you focus on what matters most.
As the space cluster for the South-Central region, we combine sector insight with hands‑on expertise to help you access the support you need to accelerate innovation and growth. Since 2016, we’ve supported organisations in securing over £39M in funding, and we are ready to support you too.
If something catches your eye, get in touch at [email protected] for guidance on shaping a strong and competitive bid.
—
International Bilateral Fund – Call 3
Deadline: Monday, 14th September 2026
The UK Space Agency, part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade (BIST), invites proposals for projects through the International Bilateral Fund (IBF) that will help strengthen the UK space sector’s international partnerships.
Read more here.
—
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 – 2027 Round 3
Deadline: Wednesday, 14th October 2026
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme allows a UK registered business to partner with a UK higher/further education institution, research and technology organisation (RTO) or Catapult. Applicants are encouraged to design KTP projects that can be delivered within 24 months.
The KTP partnership brings new skills and the latest academic thinking into the business partner to deliver a specific, strategic innovation project. The knowledge base partner (HE or FE education institution, RTO or Catapult) recruits the ‘associate’ to work on the project. The associate has the opportunity to lead a strategic development within the business, developing new skills and gaining valuable experience.
Read more here.
—
Investor Partnerships – ACT and Semiconductors
Deadline: Wednesday, 14th October 2026
This funding opportunity is a £15m joint call, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) to develop Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) and Semiconductor solutions. These are both frontier technologies in the Digital & Technologies Sector Plan of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
Read more here.
—
Advancing atmospheric and aerial autonomy
Deadline: Wednesday 21st October 2026
Apply for proof-of-concept funding to develop, integrate, deploy, and demonstrate innovative autonomous solutions for atmospheric science or autonomous aerial systems for environmental applications. Projects must deliver demonstrator capability, high-quality environmental data, and pathways towards wider use and adoption.
Read more here.
—
National Materials Innovation Programme CR&D competition
Deadline: Wednesday, 28th October 2026
This is an opportunity for UK-based advanced material innovators to secure grant funding for projects that speed the translation of advanced materials innovations in three prioritised high growth themes and one strategic opportunity theme toward industrial adoption across the eight growth driving sectors identified in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy (IS-8).
This funding is part of the National Materials Innovation Programme, which was announced as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan in the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy. This competition is the first round of collaborative industrial research projects under the programme, designed to speed the translation of advanced materials innovations toward industrial adoption in three prioritised high growth themes and one strategic opportunity theme.
Read more here.
—
EIC Pathfinder
Deadline: Wednesday, 28th October
The EIC Pathfinder is a funding programme under Horizon Europe that offers support to research teams by:
- funding research to develop the scientific basis to underpin breakthrough technologies
- supporting the earliest stages of scientific, technological or deep-tech R&D
- aiming to build on new, cutting-edge directions in science and technology to disrupt a field and a market or create new opportunities
- realising innovative technological solutions to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough technologies and disruptive innovations in Europe
Read more here.
—
Road and Traffic Safety
Deadline: Friday, 27th November 2027
Road and traffic safety is a critical concern globally. In many regions, rapid urbanisation and the growing number of vehicles have led to increased accidents, amplifying the need for improved traffic management, incident detection, and predictive safety solutions to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the roads.
Read more here.
—
2027 European Prize for Women Innovators
Deadline: Tuesday, 1st December 2026
The 2027 European Prize for Women Innovators is your chance to gain European recognition for the impact of your work and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Jointly awarded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the prize celebrates women behind groundbreaking innovations and successful businesses across Europe. It shines a spotlight on leaders who are turning bold ideas into real-world solutions, while helping to close the gender gap in innovation.
Read more here.
—
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund
Deadline: Open Until Further Notice
UKI2S invests in innovations emerging from the UK’s publicly funded science and knowledge base. We specialise in engineering biology, defence & security, fusion energy, and space to facilitate sustainable growth, enhance the health and security of society, improve productivity, and deliver economic gains emerging from UK’s public funding portfolio.
Read more here.
—
Solent Freeport and Solent Growth Partnership Apprenticeship Incentive
Deadline: Open Until Further Notice
Solent Freeport, in partnership with the Solent Growth Partnership through the Solent Business Growth Service, has launched a new £50,000 Apprenticeship Incentive Programme designed to help small and medium-sized businesses across the Solent region recruit an apprentice for the first time, while supporting young people who have previously been not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The programme offers financial incentives of up to £2,000 per apprentice to eligible employers, alongside tailored business support, helping to reduce recruitment barriers, strengthen local skills pipelines and support inclusive economic growth across the Solent.
Read more here.
—
Cyber security consultancy support, plus assessment and certification
Deadline: Open Until Further Notice
UK-based SMEs involved in space sector activity (less than 250 employee headcount) with a manufacturing or operational presence in the UK (includes NI). Applications from micro/start-up businesses are particularly welcomed.
Read more here.
—
General Support Technology Programme (GSTP)
Deadline: Open Until Further Notice
The UK Space Agency is looking to provide support to companies and academic institutions across the UK in developing innovative technologies to grow UK capability. We are keen to engage with start-ups and SMEs (from both within and outside the space sector), as well as established companies and organisations. Collaborative proposals are also welcomed.
Read more here.
—
National Security Strategic Investment Fund
Deadline: Open Until Further Notice
NSSIF is a partnership between the NS&D community and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) that backs breakthrough technologies that strengthen our collective security and defence. We invest in early-stage companies, align government demand with start-up supply, and help founders scale with capital, contracts, and insight.
Read more here.
—
ESA ITT
Deadline: Various
The latest list of open and intended ESA and non-ESA ITTs is now available and published on ESA STAR. This includes all contracts currently open for bids, as well as those in the intended phase prior to publication. All opportunities listed are accessible to UK companies, though some caveats may apply.
Read more here.
—
Defence Sourcing Portals
- The Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) hosts all of MOD’s advertised requirements. You can tailor your notifications from DSP by selecting appropriate category codes.
- Contracts Finder allows you to search for information about contracts worth over £12,000 (including VAT) with the government and its agencies.
- Register for the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender to search and apply for high-value contracts in the UK’s public and utilities sectors. High-value contracts are usually above £139,688 including VAT.
- MOD Acquisition Pipeline is a forward look of potential procurement activity and Framework Agreements at MOD.
|
