Introduction

The UK Space Agency invites proposals for UK-based research and development projects to develop innovative Earth Observation (EO) technologies through the EO Missions and Technology (EOMT) Innovation Call 1.

Applications are encouraged for innovative, early Technology Readiness Level (TRL) projects supporting climate monitoring, the environment, dual use and commercial applications. Proposals should align with the objectives of the UK National Space Strategy.

The EOMT Innovation Call 1 intends to award up to £1.4m of funding. Applicants may request grant funding of up to £200,000 for projects with a maximum duration of 12 months (finishing on or before 31st October 2027). Where possible, 40% - 50% of the proposed costs should be incurred before 31st March 2027.

These projects should be defined as innovative, early-stage EO technology development, starting between TRL 1-4.

Eligible activities include industrial research, feasibility studies and experimental development and can be led by any type of entity.

The application deadline is 23:59 1st September 2026.

Call Objectives, Scope and Key Information

The space sector is a continuing area of growth in the UK, now contributing £18.6billion to the UK economy. EO is critical to UK national security and economic growth. EO and meteorological services support sectors contributing up to £264bn (11%) of UK GDP. This success is built on decades of research and innovation, developing ideas and developing the skills.  As such, EOMT Innovation Call 1 aims to further strengthen UK capabilities by supporting the development of novel and innovative techniques and technologies which could have significant economic, export, dual-use and scientific benefits in the future.

This investment aims to enable innovation in the EO sector by prioritising projects with a clear path to commercialisation or routes to success, driving a high-growth economy that generates high-value jobs and brings new ideas to the market, aligning with wider government and DSIT/UKSA goals as outlined in the UKSA Corporate Plan and Space Industrial Plan. Projects should seek to develop low TRL (starting at TRL 1-4) early-stage satellite instrumentation or hardware with a clear and defined Earth Observation focus.

If the EO benefits are clear and defined, applications will also be considered in areas such as the miniaturisation of existing EO technology, EO specific onboard processing, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, dual-use and EO specific enabling technologies.

Conversely, the following are out of scope and will not be considered:

·        proposals without EO instrumentation/hardware specific elements;

·        software only projects;

·        space weather projects;

·        downstream data processing, validation and storage;

·        proposals solely for procuring equipment, consumables or facilities;

·        proposals categorised as Fundamental Research.

Project applications should aim to progress the TRL of an instrument/technology and prove its viability moving forward. Projects should set out a clear vision for how their technology will be implemented as part of the application process. This could include a robust commercialisation plan, identifying key users, customers, market size etc, or where this is not relevant (e.g. primarily scientific instruments), a considered route to further funding should be provided. If a commercialisation path is not relevant at this time, or has not yet been considered fully, then you must include a dedicated Work Package alongside the instrument/technology development that will identify potential markets, investment opportunities, commercial partners and potential customers.

Successful proposals will clearly articulate the timeliness of the development and the potential to generate scientific and/or commercial benefit with a substantial return on investment. Projects conceived as the first stage in a multi-stage development should outline the activities that may follow. The assessment of proposals will consider the applicant’s plans to ensure that the project will complete in line with the proposed time scale.

Proposals from collaborative teams are particularly welcome, and UKSA/DSIT encourages industrial and academic partnerships, though this is not a requirement and will not influence scoring or acceptance criteria. Bids are welcomed from teams new to the space technology/EO field.

Collaborative proposals which form part of a larger activity funded by one or more other organisations will also be considered, provided the proposed work falls fully within the EOMT Innovation Call 1 objectives. The proposed activity must form a self-contained programme of work which minimises dependencies on other programmes, with project-specific benefits, risks and appropriate mitigating actions identified.

Note that other government and/or institutionally funded programmes such as ESA cannot be used as the matching financial contribution to the EOMT Innovation Call 1 project.

Guidance for Applying

If you intend to submit a bid, please ensure that you send an email notification with the subject heading “EOMT Innovation Call 1” to UKSA.EOT@DSIT.gov.uk stating your project name, the lead organisation and technology type on or before 21st August.

Complete the application form, including:

·        An overview of how your project will support UK Space Agency and wider government objectives.

·        At least four (quarterly) clearly defined milestones and, if possible, 40% - 50% of your proposed costs should be incurred before 31st March 2027. Please note that payment cannot be made in advance, all grants are paid on completion of milestones and evidence of cost incurred.

·        A well-defined business plan outlining the route to success, and a clear understanding of the intended end user. Alternatively, a comprehensive work package summary detailing how you will generate a route to market.

·         A clear communications plan. This will help ensure that the work is shared effectively with the right audiences, highlighting its value and impact.

The UK Space Agency reserves the right to reject proposals without explanation if they are judged to be outside the call remit, do not contain all the required information or do not provide sufficient information for assessment. However, constructive feedback will be provided as far as possible.

All proposals must be led by UK entities, and all partner organisations should also be UK based. Where subcontractors are non-UK based, you must justify why you are unable to use a UK alternative. Lead organisations retain responsibility for carrying out due diligence on any subcontractors.

Where subcontractors have not been appointed at the application stage, the UK Space Agency will expect to sign off on their appointment prior to contracts being signed and will include this as a condition within the grant funding agreement. 

Important Information for Applicants:

·        Awarded projects can start from late September 2026 and must have fully completed by 31st October 2027.

·        This call will close at 23:59 on 1st September 2026 – no extensions are permitted and late applications will not be accepted.

·        Grant funding per project is expected to range from £50,000 to £200,000. In exceptional circumstances, UK Space Agency reserve the right to adjust the value or duration of the grant funding available.

·        This grant scheme complies with the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and awards are made under the Streamlined Route for Research, Development and Innovation. Companies applying for this funding will need to demonstrate they meet eligibility requirements for this scheme, including not having received previous project funding in excess of the cumulation caps within the scheme (£3 million). Further information on eligibility requirements is listed in Annex 1 (Subsidy Control).

·        Terms and conditions set out in the Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) will govern the grant awards with no scope to make material changes, including to liability levels. 

·        Applications will be assessed against the assessment criteria outlined from page 13 of this document.

·        There will be an online session held 17th July 2026 outlining the application process and to provide an opportunity for questions – you can apply to attend by emailing UKSA.EOT@DSIT.gov.uk

•  Questions or clarifications can be directed to UKSA.EOT@DSIT.gov.uk. UKSA will not respond to questions asking for applications to be reviewed ahead of the submission deadline.

• The UK Space Agency reserves the right to reject proposals if they are outside the call remit, do not contain all of the required information or do not provide sufficient information for assessment.

·        Protection of any Intellectual Property (IP) rights on the project will remain the responsibility of the project participants. The UK Space Agency does not seek any ownership of project IP. Future ownership of any potential IPR should be dealt with as part of any Collaboration Agreement. 

·        All proposals must be led by organisations based in the United Kingdom.

·        Successful applicants will be expected to provide monitoring and evaluation information to help UKSA demonstrate the benefits of public funding.

Call and Delivery Timeline

The following schedule sets out the indicative timing of processes for this call. Please note that each deadline may be subject to change in the event of operational constraints.

·        Call opens: 6th July 2026

·        Webinar: 17th July 2026

·        Notification to submit a bid: 21st August 2026

·        Call closes: 1st September 2026, 23:59

·        Successful applicants notified: 21st September 2026

·        Project kick-off: 1st October 2026

·        Projects conclude: by 31st October 2027