£2 million funding to stimulate space innovation

The Technology Strategy Board and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) are launching a £2 million funding competition to stimulate innovation across the space industry.

The Feasibility Studies for Innovation in Space funding competition aims to accelerate the development of new innovative commercial opportunities in the space sector and is aimed at innovative businesses in the UK, with investment of up to £25,000 available for each feasibility study. The key criteria for assessment of project proposals from companies will be market potential, commercial impact and potential for success in the next steps of development.

Project proposals must relate to one or more the following market areas:

• Satellite telecommunications;
• Sensing;
• Position, navigation & timing;
• Robotics
• Exploration and access to space

Projects are strongly encouraged to exploit and build on the capability of the International Space Innovation Centre, a centre of excellence and hub for British space activity which SEEDA has supported with £6m of collaborative R&D funding.

The competition opens on 10 January 2011 and closes on 10 February 2011. The feasibility studies supported under this competition may develop into submissions to a follow-on competition, which is under consideration for later in 2011.

Full information details about the competition are available to download now (PDF - link opens in a new window).

Notes for Editors

Technology Strategy Board

The Technology Strategy Board (link opens in a new window) is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the government. Its role is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve the quality of life. It is sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

South East England Development Agency

The South East England Development Agency (link opens in a new window) (SEEDA), is the Government-funded agency responsible for the sustainable economic development of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy. Through supporting businesses, encouraging innovation, developing skills and engaging with public and private partners, we aim to create a successful, sustainable future for the region.

The competition is co-funded by SEEDA, who will co-fund collaborative projects that have at least one industrial partner in the SEEDA region and that demonstrate the potential for significant impact in the south east of England.

Other information

The Feasibility Studies for Innovation in Space funding competition builds on the growth opportunities identified in the Space Innovation and Growth Strategy (link opens in a new window) and aims to exploit the facilities and open innovation culture of the International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC). Through competitions such as this, the Technology Strategy Board is supporting the UK Space Agency by helping the UK space industry address growth opportunities for new applications across a wide range of emerging markets.

Companies and other organisations seeking further information about Technology Strategy Board research and development funding opportunities should visit the Competitions page of the Technology Strategy Board website (link opens in a new window), email us or phone the Competitions Helpline on +44 (0)300 321 4357.

Media contacts

Media enquiries only should be addressed to the Technology Strategy Board’s media relations manager or consultant.

• Claire Cunningham
  Media Relations Manager
  Technology Strategy Board
  Mob: +44 (0)7554 115 745
  
  
• Nick Sheppard
  Media Relations Consultant
  Technology Strategy Board
  Mob: +44 (0)7824 599 644