Funding Flash September 2025
Funding Flash September 2025
Each month, Space South Central aims to bring together a curated list of the latest and best funding opportunities for businesses working in the space sector across the South East.
The list is not exhaustive – for that, see the Satellite Applications Catapult’s Space Enterprise Network.
If you see an opportunity below that could be suitable for your business, reach out to the team at info@spacesouthcentral.com, who will offer advice, expertise, support and connections to help you create successful bids. Since 2016, we have helped regional organisations secure over £37.5M.
—
Expression of interest: ATI Programme strategic batch
Deadline: Wednesday, 17th September 2025
The ATI Programme funds industrial research and investment aid for research infrastructures to make the UK civil aerospace sector more competitive.
Read more here.
—
ESA: Enhancing Port Safety and Efficiency through Space
Deadline: Thursday, 18th September 205
The main objective of the Thematic Call for Proposals is to develop space-based services and applications which address the challenges facing ports by taking advantage of data and innovative technologies.
This Thematic Call for Proposals aims to support industry in the development of services focused on increasing the safety of the personnel during port-related operations, enhancing security measures, and improving efficiencies around operations and the movement of passengers and goods.
This Call for Proposals welcomes submissions for Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects. Please refer to the ‘Authorisation of Funding’ section below to determine your team's eligibility for funding.
Read more here.
—
STFC: Funding for short courses and summer schools in 2025
Deadline: Thursday, 25th September 2025
Apply for funding to hold short courses, summer schools and online training resources in science or technology.
You must be from an STFC-accredited UK university or research organisation eligible for STFC funding.
Read more here.
—
Ernest Rutherford Fellowship 2025
Deadline: Wednesday 1st October 2025
Apply for an STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship (ERF) to work on an independent research project. Projects must be within the remit of STFC’s core science programme.
You must:
be an early career researcher
hold a PhD qualification or have relevant experience and clear leadership potential
be hosted by an eligible UK research organisation with a STFC ERF quota
You must not hold a tenured academic post or academic position at lecturer level.
We will fund your application at 80% of its full economic cost. The host research organisation must agree to find the rest.
The fellowship will last up to five years.
Read more here.
—
Future of Retail
Deadline: Wednesday, 1st October 2025
Future of Retail is an opportunity for businesses to submit proposals to develop innovative services that leverage space technology for the benefit of the retail sector.
Selected projects can access 75% funding by the European Space Agency, up to €75,000 per activity.
Read more here.
—
Horizon Europe 2025 work programme Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space
Deadline: Thursday, 2nd October 2025
The overarching vision behind the proposed investments under Cluster 4 is that of Europe shaping competitive and trusted technologies for a European industry with global leadership in key areas, enabling production and consumption to respect the boundaries of our planet, and maximising the benefits for all parts of society in the variety of social, economic and territorial contexts in Europe.
Topics available under Horizon Europe's Cluster 4 programme for 2025/26, with up to €75m available for the largest single projects.
Read more here.
—
Space for monitoring hazardous materials
Deadline: Thursday, 10th October 2025
The Space for Monitoring Hazardous Materials opportunity focuses on supporting innovative space-enabled applications for hazardous materials management.
This includes identifying contaminated sites, monitoring toxic material degradation and providing predictive insights for proactive remediation efforts. The initiative aims to address regulatory mandates and health concerns by leveraging advanced monitoring technologies.
Read more here.
—
Horizon Europe 2025: European Innovation Ecosystems
Deadline: Tuesday, 20th January 2026
Funding to create innovation ecosystems that support the scaling of companies and spur innovation across the EU, with up to €8m per project.
The European Innovation Ecosystems work programme aims to create and expand more connected, inclusive, and efficient innovation ecosystems that support the scaling of companies and spur innovation.
Read more here.
—
Made Smarter
Deadline: Open Until Further Notice
The "Made Smarter" program offers funding and support to UK manufacturers, particularly SMEs, to help them adopt digital technologies and improve their operations. This includes match-funded grants of up to 50% (with a maximum of £20,000) for equipment and/or advice to implement projects, as well as access to digital technology advice and workforce development
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. They 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 welcome.
Read more here.
—
Navigation Innovation Support Programme (NavISP)
Deadline: Open Until Further Notice
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
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 the UK's public funding portfolio.
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.
