GrantRadar

UK Space Agency

Space Cluster Network Programme – North West Space Cluster

A UK Space Agency grant of up to £520,000 for one organisation or consortium to manage the North West of England's space cluster from February 2027 to March 2030, taking over from UKRI-STFC. The cluster team builds the region's space economy: leading a cluster strategy, developing strengths such as advanced manufacturing and space nuclear power, and linking with other clusters including Space North. At least 50% match funding is required, except for academic partners, who are funded at 80% of full economic cost.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£1 – £520,000
Deadline
36 days left
18 December
Effort
Heavy
budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

  • One UK-based organisation, or a consortium with a lead applicant, that can credibly represent the North West space sector and show support from a wide range of industry, academic and local government partners (for example through letters of support, places in the cluster's governance, or named delivery partners)
  • Any type of UK organisation can lead, including universities and businesses, but it must meet the UK Space Agency's standard requirements: a UK bank account, the ability to manage a project, anti-bribery, GDPR and conflict-of-interest arrangements for all project members, and passing due diligence on financial standing, governance and national security
  • The grant must be match funded at a minimum of 50% by the recipient or delivery partners (cash or in kind, with cash scored as better value), secured within 90 days of the agreement start; academic partners are funded at 80% of full economic cost
  • Projects run from 1 February 2027 to 31 March 2030, with up to £160,000 a year (£40,000 in 2026/27)
  • Applicants must accept the grant funding agreement without material changes

What it funds

Dedicated resource to manage the North West of England's Space Cluster, with these recommended activities, each through its own work package where relevant:

  • Cluster leadership and strategy implementation, led by a local leadership group meeting regularly
  • Strengthening cluster capabilities through collaborations and projects aligned to the cluster's space strengths
  • Enhancing the UK Space Cluster Network by engaging other space clusters and building regional inward investment propositions
  • Project management and delivery, including plans, budgets and reporting against KPIs

Optional activities, as standalone work packages, within the core activity or through match funding, are business support, international engagement, local government engagement, developing market opportunities, data insight and academic engagement.

What it will not fund

  • Profit margins: funding is on a cost-recovery basis only
  • Costs already funded by other grants or contracts for the same activities
  • Economic activity that puts goods or services onto the market (the scheme is offered as non-subsidy, non-economic funding)
  • Pay-cost items the UK Space Agency excludes, including commercial charge-out rates, discretionary bonuses, business development, dividends, overtime and time not spent on the project

How to apply

  1. Read the call document and the UK Space Agency's general grants guidance
  2. Register an account on the DSIT Flexigrant portal
  3. Complete the application form and the budget breakdown spreadsheet (Annex A), with any other documents requested in the portal
  4. Submit through Flexigrant by 4pm on Friday 18 December 2026; late applications are not accepted

Do not send applications by email. Questions go to UKSA.localgrowth@dsit.gov.uk, which will not review drafts. Requests for minor changes to the grant funding agreement must be made before the deadline, ideally with a marked-up copy.

Have ready

  • Application form
  • Budget breakdown spreadsheet (Annex A), with each individual's labour costs shown separately and proposed milestones
  • Calculated overheads template (Annex C), only if using custom overhead rates
  • Letters of support from industry, academic and local government partners, where used to show backing

Any further supporting documents are requested within the Flexigrant application.

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