We've had an excellent experience collaborating with FI Group. Their team of consultants demonstrated proficiency in evaluating and comprehending our innovative wave energy technology, leading to a comprehensive technical report that played a significant role in securing our R&D tax credit repayment.
ESA Grant Funding Support for UK Companies
Unlock Innovation Funding with an ESA Grant
Accelerate space-enabled innovation with ESA funding. From satellite communications to Earth observation and technology transfer, FI Group UK provides end-to-end support to help your organisation secure and deliver ESA grants.
What Are ESA Grants?
ESA, the European Space Agency, offers a suite of funding schemes under its Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme and related initiatives. These grants support the commercial use of space-based technologies across a wide range of sectors, including Earth observation, satellite communications, navigation, space weather, and environmental monitoring.
Funding is available through open calls, Kick-Start grants, thematic tenders, and incubation programmes. Whether you’re testing a concept or scaling a space-enabled service, ESA offers structured, co-funded support.
Can UK Companies Apply for ESA grant funding?
Yes. UK organisations remain fully eligible for ESA funding. The UK is a participating member of ESA and supports national applications through UK Space Agency (UKSA) delegation.
To apply, you must:
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Be a UK-registered business, research institute, or public body
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Apply through the ESA online portal
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Align with open or upcoming calls published on the ESA STAR system
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Secure a Letter of Support from the UK national delegation, confirming approval
FI Group helps UK applicants navigate all of these requirements, ensuring your proposal is compliant and strategically aligned.
Can UK Companies Apply for ESA grant funding?
Yes. UK organisations remain fully eligible for ESA funding. The UK is a participating member of ESA and supports national applications through UK Space Agency (UKSA) delegation.
To apply, you must:
-
Be a UK-registered business, research institute, or public body
-
Apply through the ESA online portal
-
Align with open or upcoming calls published on the ESA STAR system
-
Secure a Letter of Support from the UK national delegation, confirming approval
FI Group helps UK applicants navigate all of these requirements, ensuring your proposal is compliant and strategically aligned.
What Types of ESA Grants Are Available?
ESA Grant Types and TRL Comparison
| ESA Grant Type | Purpose | Typical Funding | Funding Rate | Target TRL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kick-Start Feasibility | Explore early-stage commercial ideas using space data | Up to €75,000 | Up to 75% | TRL 2–4 |
| Demonstration Projects | Pilot and validate space-enabled services | €100,000–€500,000+ | 50%–80% | TRL 5–7 |
| Thematic Competitive Tenders | Address specific sector challenges (e.g. retail, env) | Varies by call | 50%–80% | TRL 4–7 |
| Incubation & Tech Transfer | Support spinouts and space-to-Earth tech repurposing | Up to €250,000+ | Varies | TRL 3–6 |
Past and Upcoming
ESA Calls
ESA releases a regular pipeline of grant opportunities through both open and competitive calls. These cover emerging commercial needs and policy priorities across sectors like climate, mobility, retail, and public services. Below are examples of recent and upcoming ESA funding calls that UK companies can apply to, either independently or as part of a collaborative project.
European Space Agency: Space For a Sustainable Textile Industry
European Space Agency: Green Hydrogen as a Sustainable Energy Source
Commercial Applications of Space-Enabled Robotics: Agriculture
Space for Construction Monitoring Grant Funding ESA
Space for Intermodal Transport 3: Funding Opportunity
Types of Projects Funded by Each ESA Grant Scheme
| ESA Grant Type | Example Project Types |
|---|---|
| Kick-Start Feasibility | – Market feasibility for space-based agri-tech platforms – Concept studies for satellite-enabled logistics tools – Early-stage ideas using GNSS or EO data in construction, finance, or transport |
| Demonstration Projects | – Trialling space-powered flood response systems with real end users – Pilot deployment of satellite-based insurance tools – Live testing of maritime route optimisation using Earth Observation + AI |
| Thematic Competitive Tenders | – Solutions for monitoring air and water pollution using EO + in-situ data – Retail behaviour analytics via satellite movement and IoT – Climate-smart city services leveraging Copernicus datasets |
| Incubation & Tech Transfer | – Space-to-Earth tech applications in medtech or mobility – Commercialising sensor systems from space missions for terrestrial use – Space tech startups building location-based applications or monitoring tools |
How FI Group Supports ESA Grant Success
FI Group is trusted by space-tech companies, academic consortia, and startups to guide ESA applications from idea to delivery. Our service includes:
- Call Scouting and Strategic Fit: We identify the right ESA call for your innovation based on sector, maturity, and funding objectives.
- Bid Development: Our PhD-qualified consultants craft proposals with the technical detail, policy alignment, and commercial clarity ESA evaluators expect.
- UK Delegation Support: We manage the delegation approval process and ensure your application includes all required documentation.
- Post-Award Compliance: From claim schedules to technical reports, we provide hands-on support throughout delivery and demonstration.
“ESA funding allows UK businesses to commercialise space-based technology and services with global potential. We help structure your proposal to deliver innovation that’s credible, compliant, and ready for market.” — Dr. Fawzi Abou-Chahine, Funding Director, FI Group UK
How FI Group Supports ESA Grant Success
FI Group is trusted by space-tech companies, academic consortia, and startups to guide ESA applications from idea to delivery. Our service includes:
- Call Scouting and Strategic Fit: We identify the right ESA call for your innovation based on sector, maturity, and funding objectives.
- Bid Development: Our PhD-qualified consultants craft proposals with the technical detail, policy alignment, and commercial clarity ESA evaluators expect.
- UK Delegation Support: We manage the delegation approval process and ensure your application includes all required documentation.
- Post-Award Compliance: From claim schedules to technical reports, we provide hands-on support throughout delivery and demonstration.
“ESA funding allows UK businesses to commercialise space-based technology and services with global potential. We help structure your proposal to deliver innovation that’s credible, compliant, and ready for market.” — Dr. Fawzi Abou-Chahine, Funding Director, FI Group UK
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
ESA Grants for UK Applicants
ESA funding offers a valuable route for UK companies to scale innovation using space technologies. Below are some of the most common questions we hear from clients exploring ESA grants. These cover eligibility, funding scope, timing, and compatibility with other schemes.
Book A MeetingWith A PhD Expert
Spotlight on Success: Stablepharma Secures €2.5M Through the EIC Accelerator
In early 2025, Stablepharma Ltd was awarded €2.5 million in grant funding through the EIC Accelerator to advance its StablevaX™ technology, an innovation set to transform vaccine distribution by removing the need for cold‑chain logistics.
FI Group UK played a pivotal role in reviewing and strengthening the company’s final submission. Working closely with Stablepharma’s executive team, FI Group helped refine the technical narrative, align financials with key clinical milestones, and enhance the overall credibility and clarity of the application. The award made Stablepharma one of just five UK companies selected in a highly competitive round of over 1,200 applicants.
This success highlights how expert grant consultancy can significantly improve outcomes for high-potential applicants seeking funding under Horizon Europe’s most competitive instruments.
Spotlight on Success: Stablepharma Secures €2.5M Through the EIC Accelerator
In early 2025, Stablepharma Ltd was awarded €2.5 million in grant funding through the EIC Accelerator to advance its StablevaX™ technology, an innovation set to transform vaccine distribution by removing the need for cold‑chain logistics.
FI Group UK played a pivotal role in reviewing and strengthening the company’s final submission. Working closely with Stablepharma’s executive team, FI Group helped refine the technical narrative, align financials with key clinical milestones, and enhance the overall credibility and clarity of the application. The award made Stablepharma one of just five UK companies selected in a highly competitive round of over 1,200 applicants.
This success highlights how expert grant consultancy can significantly improve outcomes for high-potential applicants seeking funding under Horizon Europe’s most competitive instruments.
What Our Clients Say
Leading innovators across the UK, from deep-tech start-ups to large research-driven corporates, trust FI Group to guide their most strategic grant bids. Our tailored support has helped secure multi-million euro awards through Horizon Europe, the EIC Accelerator, and Innovate UK. Clients return to us year after year for our end-to-end delivery, strategic insight, and deep evaluator understanding.
The smoothest way to work on R&D Tax Credit – not only are they experts of the subject but also sectors specialists; FI Group could get all the technical elements of our business by themselves leading to a successful and remarkable result.
Giuseppe Amoroso from FI group did our R&D tax claim and successfully submitted on our behalf of OxDevice. Excellent team work in Submitting the claim.
Speak to an ESA Funding ExpertBook A Meeting
FI Group UK helps innovative organisations turn space-enabled ideas into funded pilots, platforms, and commercial services. If your business is developing, applying, or repurposing space tech, our consultants are ready to guide you through the ESA application journey.
