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European Space Agency (ESA)

Funder · United Kingdom

The European Space Agency is an intergovernmental body that funds space-based research and development. For businesses, it offers zero-equity co-funding, technical and commercial guidance, and access to its partner networks.

business.esa.int

Its parts: ESA BIC UK, ESA Business Applications.

Open and upcoming

OpenGrantUK-wide

Road and Traffic Safety

ESA Business Applications, European Space Agency (ESA)

A BASS funding call for space-enabled solutions to improve traffic management, incident detection and predictive road safety.

Deadline
Closes 27 November 2026 (26 days)
Area
United KingdomLocal Landscape rating 8 out of 10
OpenGrantUK-wide

Smart and Resilient Energy Systems

European Space Agency (ESA), ESA Business Applications

A non-competitive BASS call for operational solutions using space-enabled technologies to improve the resilience of electricity grids.

Amount
Up to 50% of activity costs can usually be funded for UK applicants. Proof-of-concept studies up to €600,000 max cost per project: case-by-case assessment for pilot projects.
Deadline
Closes 27 November 2026 (26 days)
Area
United KingdomLocal Landscape rating 9 out of 10
OpenGrantUK-wide

Wildfires

ESA Business Applications

A non-competitive BASS call inviting proposals for space-enabled wildfire response and preparedness services.

Deadline
Closes 1 December 2026 (30 days)
Area
United KingdomLocal Landscape rating 9 out of 10
OpenGrantUK-wide

ESERO-UK

UK Space Agency, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade

A UK-wide space education and engagement programme using space as a context to support young people aged 4–19 with STEM learning and space careers. The UK Space Agency is seeking a consortium to deliver it.

Amount
The UK Space Agency intends to award up to £4.5 million over financial years 2027/28 to 2029/30; ESA expects to provide up to €750,000 (approximately £638,700), subject to separate contract negotiations. Total co-funding envelope approximately £5,138,700.
Deadline
Closes 23 January 2027 at midnight
Area
United KingdomLocal Landscape rating 9 out of 10
OpenGrantUK-wide

Environmental Crimes

ESA Business Applications

A non-competitive BASS call for proposals on space-enabled responses to environmental crime.

Deadline
Closes 25 June 2027 at 1pm
Area
United KingdomLocal Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Opening soonGrantUK-wide

Space-Enabled Solutions for Resilient Grids

European Space Agency (ESA), ESA Business Applications

A non-competitive BASS call for proposals, developed with ENTSO-E, for space-enabled solutions that help grid operators anticipate, detect and respond to disruptions.

Amount
Up to 50% of activity costs can usually be funded for UK applicants. Proof-of-concept studies up to €600,000 max cost per project: case-by-case assessment for pilot projects.
Deadline
Closes 29 January 2027
Area
United KingdomLocal Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Open all yearGrant

BASS Funding Open Calls

ESA Business Applications

ESA Business Applications' Open Calls provide funding, technical and business support for entrepreneurs developing commercially successful space-based business applications in Europe. Businesses from any sector can apply at any time.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
Europe (not stated further)Local Landscape rating 4 out of 10
Open all yearGrantUK-wide

ESA funding and advice for space services

ESA Business Applications

ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) gives zero-equity funding, technical and business support to businesses developing services that use satellite communications, earth observation, satellite navigation or other space technologies. Its open calls take ideas at any time, and themed calls with closing dates open through the year.

Amount
Zero-equity funding from €60,000 to over €3 million per activity, depending on the type of call.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomLocal Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Open all yearGrant

Open Call for Proposals: Proof-of-concept Studies and Pilot Projects

ESA Business Applications

A BASS open call for proof-of-concept studies that validate market opportunity and pilot projects that test services with customers in the primary target market.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
Europe, per the BASS Funding description; no UK-specific area stated.Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Open all yearGrantUK-wide

Space Technology

European Space Agency (ESA)

Zero-equity funding for companies to integrate space data and technology into commercial services, with ESA consultant support and access to partner networks.

Amount
From £48,000
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomLocal Landscape rating 7 out of 10
Open all yearGrantUK-wide

Growth Projects

ESA Business Applications

BASS Growth Projects help space-enabled solutions that have already achieved demonstrable commercial success in a primary market to unlock secondary market opportunities.

Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomLocal Landscape rating 7 out of 10
Check statusSupport programme

Space Agency Incubation Centre

European Space Agency (ESA)

A one-to-two year incubation programme for startups using space technology in any way, across sectors including agriculture, digital technology, energy and healthcare. The Incubation Centre accepts startups each year; the nearest location is Daresbury.

Area
Nearest location is Daresbury; the page does not say where applicants must be based.Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10

Open from ESA Business Applications

Closed

ClosedGrant

The Arctic Region

ESA Business Applications

A non-competitive BASS Call for Proposals made up of three sub-calls supporting space-enabled services for resilience, safety, sustainability and security in the Arctic.

Deadline
Closed 4 September 2026
Area
Arctic region; no UK-specific area stated.Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
ClosedGrant

Open Call for Proposals: Kick-starts

ESA Business Applications

A BASS open call to test whether a space-enabled service is technically feasible and commercially viable, and whether there is demand for it.

Amount
Funded at 75%, with ESA providing up to €75,000 per contract; maximum total cost of a Kick-start activity is €100,000.
Deadline
Closed 30 October 2026
Area
Europe, per the BASS Funding description; no UK-specific area stated.Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10

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