UK Space Agency: Unlocking Space for Business - Environmental Intelligence and Emissions

Overview

This UK Space Agency competition funds projects that use satellite data and services to tackle environmental intelligence and emissions challenges. It is run through the Unlocking Space for Business programme and managed by Innovate UK Business Connect. You can request up to £400,000 in grant funding per project. The agency plans to award up to £2 million in total. Businesses in your consortium can claim up to 70% of their costs, depending on business size and project type. Total project costs can be higher if consortium partners add match funding. The competition suits UK-registered end-user businesses, including SMEs, that lead a consortium. Your consortium needs at least one UK space supplier. You can also bring in integrators, research organisations, and public and third sector partners. Collaborations involving an SME or a research organisation may receive a 15% subsidy uplift. There are two challenge areas. The first covers environmental intelligence for climate, nature and natural capital. The second covers emissions monitoring and verification. Projects must use at least one satellite data domain: Earth observation, satellite communications, or position, navigation and timing. Projects are expected to start in January 2027 and run for about nine months. They must begin at technology readiness level 5 or above and reach at least level 7 by the end. You will need to show measurable outcomes and a credible route to long-term adoption. The competition opened on 20 October 2026 and closes at 4:00pm on 11 December 2026. An applicant webinar takes place on 3 November 2026 at 11:00 GMT. Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/uk-space-agency-unlocking-space-for-business-environmental-intelligence-and-emissions/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.