Unlocking Space for Business 2024

This grant call is seeking applications from end-user led consortiums, with a satellite data or service supplier alongside any other relevant aggregator organisations needed to deliver their pilot project.

The lead applicant must be an end-user business within either the Financial Services or Transport & Logistics sectors. For Financial Services, this includes, but is not limited to banks, insurance companies, asset managers. For Transport & Logistics, this includes, but is not limited to logistics companies, transport operators, businesses with fleet networks.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate their capability to match fund the pilot.

Applicants must show they are registered as a UK organisation, and grant recipients must have a UK bank account. Further requirements are given at the link below.

These grants are being awarded under the streamlined subsidy scheme, Research, Development & Innovation. Companies wishing to apply will need to demonstrate eligibility to this scheme, including not having received previous project funding that is in excess of the cumulation caps (£3 million) identified within the scheme.

Awarded projects are expected to start in July 2024 with a maximum duration of 9 months. Major milestones are expected to be completed by end of January 2025, with some flexibility to deliver until early March 2025. All projects must be fully completed by 24 March 2025.

The maximum amount of grant funding per project is expected to be up to £400,000 (total project costs may be higher when accounting for match-funding).

Applicants for the grant should engage in a variety of acceptable activities that align with the objectives of the funding programme. These activities may include:

1. Pilot Projects and Demonstrations: Applicants propose pilot projects and demonstrations to highlight the potential impact and feasibility of space-derived data applications in real-world settings. These pilot projects should be designed to test hypotheses, validate assumptions, and assess the scalability and sustainability of proposed solutions. Pilot projects may include activities such as data collection, analysis, modelling, and visualisation, as well as the development of proof-of-concept prototypes or minimum viable products.
2. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Applicants should implement robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning mechanisms to track progress, measure impact, and identify lessons learned throughout the duration of their projects. This may involve developing performance indicators, data collection tools, and evaluation frameworks to assess project outcomes, identify success factors and challenges, and inform adaptive management strategies to optimise project implementation and maximise impact. It should be noted that due to the scale and complexity of managing several projects, we have engaged third party reporting partners (BryceTech) to manage reporting requirements from an authority perspective.
3. Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination: Although not a direct requirement UK SPACE AGENCY would encourage, subject to confidentiality, commercial sensitive IP, and data, applicants to engage in knowledge sharing and dissemination activities aimed at sharing lessons learned, best practices, and insights generated from their projects with the broader community. This may include publishing pilot project findings, white papers, case studies, and technical reports, as well as organising conferences, webinars, and community forums to facilitate knowledge exchange and dialogue among stakeholders.

The projects will be expected to use satellite data and services in the Financial Services and Transport & Logistics sectors. End-users are defined as users that directly utilises or consumes data derived from space-based assets, such as satellites, to gain insights, make informed decisions, and drive innovation in either the financial services or transport & logistics sectors.

Satellite data in the Financial Services and Transport & Logistics sectors refers to the use of information collected from satellite-based systems and technologies to enhance operations, decision-making and efficiency within these industries.

In the Financial Services sector, satellite data and services can support efficient claims verification, monitoring assets or evaluating environmental factors that might impact investments.

In the Transport & Logistics sector, such data and services can offer real-time tracking of vehicles and shipments, optimise routes, and provide insights into traffic patterns and infrastructure conditions, thereby improving delivery schedules, reducing costs, and enhancing overall supply chain management.

By leveraging satellite data and services alongside existing terrestrial data sources and complementary technologies, businesses in these sectors can gain access to a wealth of information that enables them to make more informed and strategic decisions.

An online briefing event will be hosted by UK Space Agency on Wednesday 10 April 2024, 11am-11.45am BST with the aim of informing potential applicants about the Unlocking Space for Business Programme competition, including its scope, application process and timelines. To attend the Unlocking Space for Business Grant Call Briefing Webinar please register here.

If you would like help to find a collaboration partner, please contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Space team.