Space West

The Space West region is fortunate to have a unique and diverse space sector. It supports both multi-national space companies and innovative SMEs, with space-specific expertise spanning upstream and downstream technologies.

The University of Bath’s space capabilities span a wide range of disciplines, from core Faculties of Science and Engineering to Social Sciences and the School of Management. 

The University of the West of England (UWE) has wide-ranging space-related expertise. Key specialities include robotics, materials and manufacturing, space propulsion and access to space, mission design trajectory optimisation, space debris and renewable energy applications for space. 

The University of Bristol is home to a large multidisciplinary community of over 100 space researchers across multiple Faculties, with involvement in a wide range of research activities including Mars Lander projects, climate modelling using satellite imagery and biological models in a lunar environment.

The National Composites Centre (NCC) with industry guidance from Thales Alenia Space has manufactured an all-composites linerless (Type-V) tank demonstrator that is representative of those used for launch vehicle and satellite propellant tanks, delivering an estimated weight saving of 30% compared to conventional metallic propellant tanks in current use. 

Space Symposium is the premier event uniting global space professionals from all sectors, providing a unique platform to explore critical space issues, foster dialogue, and drive innovation across the space industry.

Join the Department for Business and Trade and ADS Group Ltd at the 40th annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, USA

Bath Digital Festival is set to return in 2025 to transform Bath into a vibrant hub of innovation, creativity, and cutting-edge technology. More than just a local event, this curated festival aims to provide a platform for the entire South West region to explore, learn, and celebrate advancements in the digital and tech industries.

International conference, aiming to bring together academia, industry and other stake holders, such as fund-managers, scientific editors, and policy makers.

The Defence Simulation, Education & Training (DSET) conference is scheduled from 8 to 10 July 2025 in Bristol, UK. This hybrid event offers a platform for military, government, academia, and industry professionals to collaborate on advancements in military simulation and training. The agenda includes a Wargaming Festival, specialist seminars, and the British Army Security & Cyber Conference. Attendees can participate in person or virtually, with registration required.

Space For Growth

Popular awareness of the direct impact that the space sector has on our daily lives is increasing and the UK Space Conference agenda for 2025 will reflect this. In July innovators and experts from a surprising range of sectors are convening because they understand the role that space plays in the next wave of human technological innovation. Join us to understand why working and investing in the UK Space Sector is critical for the next decade of renewal and economic growth. 

International conference, aiming to bring together academia, industry and other stake holders, such as fund-managers, scientific editors, and policy makers.

We will be hosting regional workshops to contribute towards a UK-wide mapping exercise of space domain awareness and cyber security capabilities during the Summer 2025. Each workshop will identify key cyber and Space Domain Awareness capabilities and map them to the Requirement Catalogue. 

This funding call consists of 6 sub-themes, each open at a different point in time. Please see the list of currently open or upcoming funding calls and their further specific details below:

1. Smart Cities and Infrastructure: 7 March 2024 – 7 May 2024
2. Transportation and Logistics: 26 April 2024 – 26 June 2024
3. Energy and Utilities: 23 May - 23 July 2024 
4. Health and Safety: 17 July - 17 September 2024
5. Maritime and Marine: 23 September - 23 November 2024
6. Agriculture: Opening 28 October - 15 January 2025 

A notice of a key ESA Space Solutions theme for 2024: Commercial Applications of Space-Enabled Robotics

This funding is looking to combine some of the breakthroughs in robotics (enhanced autonomy, dexterity, and interaction capabilities) with parallel advancements in the space sector meaning that satellite technologies now have the capability to enable novel services utilising robotics.

West of England Combined Authority are supporting businesses in the region to explore the benefits from the implementation of digital technologies. Providing access to grant funding, bespoke expertise and guidance for your business as well as skills and training.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

The Defence and Security Accelerator find and fund exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively. Check it out for open calls for funding. 

The EO DataHub (EODH) programme has been instigated by UKRI to address challenges around effective exploitation of Earth Observation Data. It represents a first phase of a national asset, supported by the government and specified with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) alongside NERC. The programme is a pathfinder project led by the National Centre for Earth Observation and a partnership of public sector bodies.

ESA's ARTES Core Competitiveness programme helps European and Canadian industry to develop innovative satcom products, services, systems and partnerships.

The South West Investment Fund is the first in a series of new Nations and Regions Investment Funds being launched by the British Business Bank, and it will deliver a £200 million commitment of new funding to the area. The fund aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West.

This year, the UK Space Agency is looking to support projects which contribute knowledge relevant to future human and robotic exploration missions.

The purpose of this announcement opportunity is to support academics who have been selected for groups and/or science teams, campaign science groups and other definition work relating to Exploration missions.

Since 2017, the UK has invested €50 million into NavISP to support the UK space PNT sector to innovate the next generation of space-enabled and space-supported navigation products, services and applications.

The UK investment in the programme is available to support UK organisations to undertake technology research and development focused on commercial innovation.

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.

Deadline: Wednesday, 16th April 2025. UK-registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £3 million to collaborate with Canadian SMEs on joint R&D projects. To lead a project, your organisation must be a UK-registered business of any size, or include at least one UK-registered micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (SME) that claims grants, or be a Canadian profit-oriented SME. Each collaboration must involve at least one UK-registered SME and one eligible Canadian SME. UK partners can request up to £300,000 in grant funding per project.

Learn more about the CySpace Connected Capability Network and register your interest. 

Space4Climate has announced the call for Market Breakthrough Funding Phase 2, with a deadline of 12 April 2025. This funding aims to accelerate the adoption of satellite-based climate services in sectors such as sustainable finance, greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, and agriculture. UK-registered entities of any size are eligible to apply, either individually or as part of a collaborative project team. Projects should start no later than 1 June 2025 and end by 31 December 2025.

Deadline: Wednesday, 7th May 2025 - Innovate UK is providing loans of up to £25 million to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for late-stage, high-potential research and development (R&D) projects. These loans are designed to support innovations with a clear path to commercialisation and economic impact. Projects should result in new, cutting-edge products, processes, or services, or propose novel applications of existing technologies. Additionally, innovative business models may be supported. Loan amounts range from £100,000 to £2 million.

Deadline: Sunday, 6th April 2025 - The ESA Business Incubation Centre United Kingdom (ESA BIC UK) supports start-ups using space technology or data to drive innovation and business growth. As part of ESA Space Solutions, it offers technical expertise, business support, office space, and funding. Benefits include: Business development support and mentoring, £43,103 in funding, and access to office space and shared facilities. Eligible applicants must be a UK-registered company (less than five years old) with a clear link to space technology or data and have at least one team member based in the UK. 

Deadline: Open Until Further Notice - The UK Space Agency is offering funding (subject to annual budget availability) to support activities that strengthen the UK space exploration community. Eligible initiatives include community-building efforts, networking opportunities, and participation in relevant conferences or showcases. Applicants must outline how their proposed activities will benefit the UK space exploration community

Deadline: Thursday, 24 April 2025 - Funding is available to support projects that engage the public with science, technology, and facilities backed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Eligible applicants must be based in the UK and represent an organisation with certified annual accounts. Proposals should clearly align with STFC’s research areas and include a subject matter expert in an STFC-funded field. The scheme covers project costs up to £20,000, with STFC providing full funding. Projects should last between 12 and 36 months.

Deadline: Monday, 14 April 2025 - The EC-funded ENFIELD project is offering €1.1M in funding to support 76 researchers through four rounds of exchange open calls. This third call invites individual researchers—ranging from PhD students to senior academics—and research groups to submit project proposals addressing key ENFIELD challenges. Successful proposals will advance AI research and its practical applications.

The University of Bath's Department of Physics is hosting Eureka 2025! Physics for Security, a three-day international conference from 7 to 9 July 2025 at the Apex City of Bath Hotel. This event aims to unite academia, industry, and stakeholders such as fund managers, scientific editors, and policymakers to discuss emerging sciences and nascent technologies with significant potential. Topics will include specialty optical fibres, quantum photonics, two-dimensional materials, functional and quantum devices, lasers, nano and photonic platforms, sensing technologies, and biosensing methods. The conference will feature talks, poster sessions, an industrial exhibition, and social events like a trip to Stonehenge and a welcome dinner. Subsidised tickets are available, and registration is required by 31 May 2025.

The European Space Agency (ESA) offers funding for six-month feasibility studies known as 'Kick-Starts'. ESA will fund 75% of each Kick-Start project, up to €75,000 per contract. These studies can lead to larger-scale projects and pilots. Current opportunities include:

-Space for Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture: Funding for teams developing services integrating technology solutions for smart cities and urban agriculture.

-Space Supporting Environmental Claims: Funding for teams developing services that provide support and evidence for environmental claims and labeling.

-Space for Insurance Technology: Funding for teams developing services integrating technology solutions for the insurance sector.

ESA is accepting applications for its Graduate Trainee Programme 2025. The pre-selection and interview process for shortlisted candidates will occur between March and May 2025, with final selections made by ESA in June. The program offers opportunities for recent graduates to contribute to ESA's missions and projects.

The European Space Agency (ESA) plans to issue an invitation to tender for the European Launcher Challenge next week. This initiative aims to strengthen Europe's independent access to space by supporting new entrants in the launcher sector. Companies are required to co-fund their proposals. Bids will be evaluated around midyear, with contracts expected after ESA's ministerial meeting in November 2025.

Our Space Strategy is currently being reviewed to reflect the government strategy and the expanded geographical reach. The West of England Space Strategy still provides useful insights into regional strengths and activities.

Invest Bristol and Bath is the inward investment service for the West of England.  They can provide advice on the following: company introductions, R&D assets and trade associations, property and development sites, international business relocation, clusters and networks, access to regional business support.

The UK Telecoms Innovation Network UKTIN is the innovation network for the UK telecoms sector, bringing together industry, academia, and government stakeholders to catalyse telecoms R&D talent in investment, cooperation and commercialisation. 

This strategy sets out the government’s ambitions for the UK in space, bringing together civil and defence policy for the first time.

The strategy sets out the government’s vision for Defence as a global actor in the space domain.

In September 2021, the government published the National Space Strategy (NSS) – the first ever combined civil-defence strategy for space jointly owned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Satellite Applications Catapult is driving take-up of space technology and applications to shape, and sustain, the world of tomorrow. By connecting industry and academia we get new research off the ground and into the market more quickly.

Satellite Finance Network seeks to bring the growing satellite and space industry together with the financial community offering opportunities for both.

SETsquared is a unique enterprise partnership and a dynamic collaboration between the six leading research-led UK universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. As a world-leading business incubator, we provide a wide range of highly acclaimed support programmes to help turn ideas into thriving businesses.

techSPARK is a not-for-profit community dedicated to strengthen the tech community from Swindon to Swansea by connecting the best people, companies and investors with opportunities for growth

The Space Enterprise Community is a collaboration between the Satellite Applications Catapult and the UK Space Agency (UKSA).