扒哥吃瓜

Please use this document to check听for听answers to听common听questions听you听may听have about NSIP Call听3.听A recorded听webinar听providing key details about NSIP Call听3听is听also听available to view online on our听gov.uk听webpage听here.

Application process听and format听

1. What has changed between NSIP Call听2听released in 2025听and Call听3听released in 2026?听听

Although听the purpose and听much of the delivery of NSIP Call听3听will remain the same there are some key differences.听听

• a. Project duration:听Kick Starter and Major Project proposals must aim to start听by the听1st听of听April 2027 and conclude activity by the end of September 2029.听The听duration for Call 3 projects is听a maximum of听30 months.听The听maximum听amount of funding available听remains听拢2m听for听NSIP Major Projects听and 拢1m for听NSIP Kick Starter.听听

• b. For Call 3 we will be making use of the Flexi-Grant online application tool.听The听听assessment听process听will be as follows:

  • i. A听very short听听submission via听Flexi-Grant.听This is听not scored and听isn鈥檛听mandatory听but supports the NSIP team to understand application numbers and areas of interest to support听internal planning.听听

  • ii. All applicants听will听be required听to听complete a听short听鈥溾�澨齰ia the Flexi-Grant听online听system听and will seek key information about projects听including letters of intent from partners.听听

  • iii. Following assessment of Outline Proposals by independent external experts, a shortlist of听approximately 50听applicants will then be invited to听submit听a听鈥淔ull听Proposal鈥澨�(Details听补苍诲听documentation for which can be seen on the Call 3 announcement听webpage).听听

  • iv. For successful applicants, a final series of听Pre-Award听due diligence,听partner assurance statements听and benefits baselining will be听required听prior to project kick-off.

• c. Assessment Criteria:听As part of continuous听improvement,听we have听updated NSIP鈥檚 assessment criteria听to provide clearer scoring boundaries, and the inclusion of a specific question addressing听route to exploitation听and confidence听following feedback from applicants and assessors from Call 2.听The assessment criteria specific to this call have been published with the听document set and we recommend applicants familiarise themselves with them while writing their proposal.

• d. Outcomes Monitoring and Evaluation:听Previously听evaluation of project benefits such as revenue, TRL and jobs听was collected through听鈥淣orth Star Metrics鈥澨齫uarterly exercise. Since the merger听of听UKSA听into DSIT,听this will be replaced by听outcomes听monitoring听and evaluation reporting at听periodic听intervals听for听the听successful听project听and agreed at project kick off.听听Please read Annex 12听of the GFA for guidance and ensure you are comfortable with providing this information as part of regular reporting.听听

• e. Continued Improvement:听Some听changes have been introduced to finance forms,听Grant Funding Agreement听and other reporting templates听following听a review of听lessons learnt from Call听2听and feedback from applicants and grant recipients.听This includes risk and benefit management and grant change processes.听

• f. Applications from industry are limited to one per lead organisation per scheme (Kick Starter and/or Major Projects). Academic institutions and Research Organisations may听submit听up to three proposals per scheme.听A lead organisation is defined as the organisation听submitting听the application and who听is responsible for听delivery of the Grant.

  • i. Due to the high number of applications received in NSIP Call 1 and Call 2 this limit aims to maximise submission of high-quality proposals, aid swift assessment, and increase the success rate for applicants.听听

  • ii. Please note听the limit on听application numbers will be听determined听by听the听lead organisation听submitting听the application听and will not prevent partners/collaborators听involved in other听applications听submitting听their own proposals听as a lead organisation.听

  • iii. If organisations听fail to听adhere to the limit the NSIP team will endeavour to confirm which of the proposals should be assessed but will otherwise accept those in order that they were听submitted. Please engage any colleagues within your organisation who may apply to NSIP to coordinate听and prioritise听your submissions.听听

  • iv. The larger allowance of applications from academic and research organisations has been given to recognise the distinct and varied areas of space technology covered across their departments.

• g. Use of听Artificial听Intelligence (AI): guidance for the use of AI by applicants has been included in the听Announcement听of Opportunity.

2. What are the priority topic areas?听

NSIP runs 鈥渙pen鈥� calls allowing any technology, satellite听application听or space-related service project听proposal听to be听submitted.听In this Call,听the UK Space Agency aims to spend a target of听40% programme budget on听the themes听Space Domain Awareness听补苍诲听In-Orbit Assembly and Manufacture听(approximately 20% per听theme).听Examples of types of projects we might expect under this theme are referenced in the Announcement of Opportunity听in Section 2.

Proposals on any other space topic are still eligible for support in this open programme. The authority reserves the right to award听more or听less than听40% on themed calls, based on the submissions received.

3. Is听funding only available for technology projects?听

Technologies, satellite applications, and services can all be proposed.听It is also possible to apply for development of more than one technology in one application听or adapting technology听or services听from a non-space use and applying it to space.听An indicative听list of acceptable activities in the project听in Section 2.2. of the Announcement of Opportunity.听听听

4. NSIP is using a Space Taxonomy, what is the full list of space technologies included?

• Additive Manufacturing鈥�听

• Advanced Materials鈥�听

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)鈥�听

• 础蝉迟谤辞产颈辞濒辞驳测鈥�听

• 础蝉迟谤辞苍辞尘测鈥�听

• Autonomous Vehicles鈥�听

• 叠颈辞迟别肠丑苍辞濒辞驳测鈥�听

• Control Systems鈥�听

• Earth Observation鈥�听

• Electronics and Photonics鈥�听

• 贰虫辫濒辞谤补迟颈辞苍鈥�听

• Extreme Environment Hardening鈥�听

• Future Computing鈥�听

• Ground Stations鈥�听

• Human Spaceflight鈥�听

• In Orbit Servicing & Manufacturing incl. Active Debris Removal鈥�听

• In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU)鈥�听

• Launch & Propulsion Systems鈥�听

• Life Support Systems鈥�听

• Lunar Science鈥�听

• 惭别诲颈肠颈苍别鈥�听

• 惭颈肠谤辞驳谤补惫颈迟测鈥�听

• Nuclear Energy Technology鈥�听

• Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Technologies鈥�听

• Quantum Technology鈥�听

• Remote Sensing鈥�听

• Renewables

• Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS)鈥�听

• 厂补迟颁辞尘尘鈥�听

• Software Engineering鈥�听

• Space Architecture鈥�听

• Space Domain Awareness (SDA)鈥�听

• Space Science鈥�听

• Space Weather鈥�听

• Spacecraft Engineering鈥�听

• Synthetic Environments

5. What is meant by听鈥渟pace services鈥�?听

Space services would include but are not limited to capabilities such as space situational awareness, launch services, ground station services. Primarily this term is to recognise there are听viable听projects that may exist outside of specific technology development or satellite applications.

6. Will applications for human flight technology/habitation be considered?听

If the proposal aligns with the guidance and assessment criteria, we welcome all varieties of proposals. Where there is stronger alignment to other existing UKSA programmes, you may be better suited to applying through other grant funding opportunities available on the UKSA website:听Apply for funding: space-related R&D, innovation and education - 扒哥吃瓜.

7. When are the submission deadlines?听

EOI听deadline:听听7听August 2026听

Outline Proposal deadline:听听Friday 21听August听2026听

Full Proposal deadline:听听Thursday 12听November听2026

8. Does the EOI require all the consortium partners to be present on it or just the lead?听

The EOI is not assessed and is not听mandatory,听but it is strongly recommended to help the NSIP team to organise听an appropriate pool听of independent external assessors.听The EOI only requires information from the lead organisation.听Details听of the consortium听partners听must听be听provided听at Outline Stage.听

9. Do all partners on the bid need to be听identified听or can they be found post bid success, with the guaranteed funding there to help bring them听on board?听

All partners need to be听identified听and specified on the听Full Proposal. Please refer to听Section听5 in听the鈥疉nnouncement of Opportunity.听Resolving collaboration agreements is often one of the key risks听and can lead to significant delays and project failure so we strongly recommend having early discussions and agreements in place with partners.听

10. Will there be industry engagement to publicise and support the Call听3听development?听

To help communicate that NSIP Call听3听is live we will be creating and sharing听an听online video setting out key information for the call, and sharing announcement material via UKSA social media channels,听mailing lists and on the UKSA鈥檚 gov.uk webpage. NSIP team members will also be attending several events across the UK,听likely focused听around听space clusters, to provide opportunities for 1:1 Q&A.听听

11. How听is听the听data听in听applications听processed?听

All proposals will be classified as听鈥淥fficial听Sensitive 鈥� Commercial鈥澨齛nd will be handled听in accordance with听Government鈥檚 information security and confidentiality policies, including GDPR.听Your application will only be accessed by the NSIP team and听selected听reviewers that have signed confidentiality agreements.听

For these reasons, we cannot offer examples of successful proposal applications. However, the UK Space Agency has publicly available examples of funded projects on听the National Space Technology Programme: previously funded projects.听

Our privacy notice听with further details on听how we store听and process听your data听can be听found听in the Announcement of Opportunity section 8.

12. How are applications assessed?听

The assessment process, weightings听and criteria are described in听Section听6听in the听Announcement of听Opportunity.听听Please note that letters of support do not have to be UK specific but must be from recognised international organisations and/or from other known space institutions.鈥�听

13. Can you confirm that the assessment process is confidential?听听

All听external听reviewers听must听sign听confidentiality agreements and are听not听allocated听proposals where there听is considered听to be听a听conflict of interest. As the proposals will be classified as听commercially sensitive听it听will be handled听in accordance with听Government鈥檚 information security policy.听Proposals should not听contain听proprietary information.听All data听submitted听to UKSA will be managed in line with听our privacy notice and听appropriate GDPR听protocols.听听

14. Who can听submit听an application?听

NSIP welcomes applications from any company,听university听or research organisation.听Applications should be听submitted听by听a听lead organisation听and must adhere to the latest restrictions on proposal caps.

The lead organisation听is responsible for听completing diligence checks on partner organisations and should complete Application Form Part D 鈥� Partner Assurance Statements for each partner.听

Outline applications must be听submitted听by听23:59听Friday 21st听August 2026听following the application guidance and form supplied on the gov.uk website.听听

15. Are听referees听required to be within the UK?鈥�鈥�听

References听do not have to be UK听based听but must be from recognised international organisations and/or from other known space institutions.鈥�听

16. Can companies outside of the space sector听or new companies听(i.e., no听previous听track record听in space)听apply?听

Yes, if your proposal aligns with the assessment criteria and听deliver innovative space-related听technologies,听applications听and services.听We welcome projects听from organisations working in adjacent sectors听(e.g. nuclear, AI,听biomedical, quantum,听advanced manufacturing etc.)听who see an opportunity to grow the听UK space sector and听its supply chain. Please听refer to the Announcement of Opportunity,听Section听4.1听鈥楨ligibility听Requirements鈥� for further guidance.听

New Companies can apply for Grant听funding;听financial checks will be done on any company applying for Grant funding.听They听may听be required听to provide supporting paperwork to听demonstrate听financial health of the company and sufficient resource to carry out the project.

17. Are applications from the UK subsidiary of an听EU or other听international听startup eligible?听

Yes,听as long as听the subsidiary is registered as a UK company, the work and costs associated are undertaken in the UK, and the resulting outcomes are听retained听in the UK.听

Any subsidiary company would need to sign a Parent Company Guarantee听(PGC), which seeks support from the parent Company听in the event of听financial distress from the Grant Recipient. The template PCG is embedded within the relevant Grant Funding Agreement. On the basis that grants are paid on actual expenditure, the Grant recipient would have to听demonstrate听that they have sufficient operating capital to deliver the programme.听

18. How many applications can听an organisation听submit?听

Please refer to听the answer for Question 1, part f听for full details. Industry applicants can听submit听one application per scheme (e.g. company x can听submit听a proposal to Kick Starter, and a second Major Projects if they wish). Academic and Research Organisations can听submit听up to three per scheme 鈥� recognising the听size and variety of research areas addressed across multiple departments.听听听

19.Can we听apply if we received听previous听NSIP/ETP听funding?听听

Projects that were successful in securing and delivering a NSIP or ETP project are welcome to apply for further funding through this NSIP funding听call, if听it meets the proposal criteria.听However, applicants听should be mindful of the requirements of the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and the Streamlined Scheme for Research,听Development听and Innovation, which caps subsidies at 拢3,000,000 per enterprise per project. UKSA听is required to听consider any听previous听subsidies you may have received, including听previous听grant funding, to听determine听if they should count towards this 拢3,000,000 total.听You therefore cannot apply if you exceed this funding threshold, and听we听are required to听count听any听previous听NSIP grant听towards the total if they meet听all of听the following conditions:听

• Grant funding was听given to the same enterprise by any public authority听

• For the same project or activities as defined under the relevant categories of the Streamlined Route Schedule听

• For the same听or听substantially the same specific purposes as set out under the relevant categories in the Route听

• Within the last 3听financial years听(that is, the last 2 complete听financial years听running from 1 April to 31 March and the lapsed part of the current听financial year)鈥�听

• If a project lasts for longer than 3 years, then the听maximum听award amounts and the subsidy ratios apply to the lifespan of that project or activity - therefore the cumulation period cannot restart after 3 years for the same project听

It is the responsibility of applicants to consider their Subsidy Control Act 2022 compliance, as in the event a non-compliant subsidy is awarded, UKSA would be legally obliged to recover the funding. Please note we will not听provide听pre-application advice听about听your subsidy control cumulation: it is the applicant鈥檚 responsibility to听determine听if they are eligible or not.听For further advice, please consult the guidance available for the streamlined scheme (听听)听

20.听Can I resubmit a proposal that was rejected in听a previous听NSIP or ETP call?听

You may re-submit unsuccessful听ideas听to past听NSIP and ETP听(Enabling Technologies Programme calls. All applications will go through the independent evaluation process when being considered for funding. We recommend proposals are checked for alignment with the current call听objectives听补苍诲听that any听previous听feedback is taken into consideration when resubmitting.鈥�鈥�听

21. Does听previous听experience with the UK Space Agency confer any advantages or disadvantages on an applicant?听

No, applications will be scored on their individual merit. However, successful delivery of past government funded projects would be a beneficial factor to听detail听in reference to the project team鈥檚 experience.听

22. What format will the grant agreement take for any funded proposals, and can I adapt this to suit my proposal?听

We have provided a copy of our standard grant funding agreements. This is the document that will be used as the formal mechanism for any successful bidders to receive grant funding. Applicants听are required to听accept the terms of this grant funding agreement when听submitting听your application.听

Please be aware that the UK Space Agency听has very limited flexibility in varying the听Grant Funding Agreement and听will only consider variations which are requested where the applicant would be in breach of legal requirements or statutory regulations by complying with the clause, or series of clauses.听Applicants requesting changes to the agreement are听required听to听submit听these changes ahead of, or with, their full proposal application (ideally with a marked up copy of the agreement including the requested changes). UK Space Agency听reserve the right to reject changes proposed听and will not consider changes requested after the full proposal application deadline.

23. What is the expected timeline for the selection process, including the announcement of successful projects?听

For NSIP Call听3听we are hoping to have selected successful projects听by听8听February 2027听补苍诲听intend for projects to kick off听after听1听April 2027.听听This date is indicative as projects must听successfully satisfy UK Space Agency鈥檚 due diligence checks听before commencement, please听be aware that you may be asked questions to support this and may need to liaise with听project听partners, finance or legal teams听within your organisation to support a timely start.听The full call schedule can be found in the Announcement of Opportunity.

24. Can we defer start dates or lengthen the project duration?听

To support NSIP financial management we request that successful projects begin听on the start date or听as close to the听1st听of April 2027 as possible, however the team will work with successful applicants to听determine whether a delayed start is possible听within the project听schedule听if this is required e.g. to facilitate recruitment, securing of听internal investment etc.听Generally,听it听will not be possible to extend the projects beyond the 30-month timeline, however we hope this is more than sufficient time听in most cases.听Where projects听initially听seek a shorter听duration听it may be possible to offer flexibility within the 30 months, subject to听impact听on听NSIP听programme听management.听

25. Can a project be started before full proposal acceptance, if so, can payments be backdated?听

We do not听advise听starting at risk. Projects听must听start after GFAs have been awarded and听UKSA will not听backdate grant funding agreements or reimburse costs for work undertaken ahead of the Commencement Date in the Grant Funding Agreement.听听

26. We are having difficulties with the finance spreadsheet - can we alter the template?听

We听strongly听recommend you听don鈥檛听alter the template but contact the听鈥�UKSA.NSIP@dsit.gov.uk鈥痜or advice or help on troubleshooting听via听UKSA.NSIP@dsit.gov.uk.听A video guide for completing the Part A听form can be found on the听Call 3 announcement听webpage.听

27. Can information such as Gantt听charts and Project plans be听submitted听separately听as听Annexes鈥櫶齭uch as听an听Excel table?听

Documents听should be听submitted听in the correct format outlined in听the Announcement听of Opportunity听Section听5听鈥楪uidance for Preparing an Application鈥�.听Gantt charts may be听submitted听as a separate document if they cannot be easily viewed when embedded in the Part A Application Form Template.

28. Can I have a consultation on an application before it is听submitted?听

Unfortunately, NSIP is a small team, so we are unable to offer consultations on applications. However, if you have any specific questions that are not answered in the call documents or FAQs please email the鈥�UKSA.NSIP@dsit.gov.uk鈥痑nd we shall get back to you.听

29. Will you be providing feedback from the Outline application stage?听听

We will provide feedback on all applications. This will听likely include听assessor comments and scores. Depending on the volume of applications we may not be听able to provide feedback听when informing applicants of the outcome of the Outline听Proposal process, but feedback will be provided at the earliest opportunity.听听听

贵耻苍诲颈苍驳听

30. Can non-UK based organisations receive funding?听

As a national funded programme, a UK-based organisation must lead any project or consortium.听Although non-UK organisations can be partners on the project they cannot receive any funding.听听

Projects can include non-domestic partners (including those within the EU) who bring their own funding. Applicants should note that all applicants, irrespective of geographic location, must still satisfy the core eligibility requirements set out in this call guidance and award will be subject to completion of satisfactory due diligence checks.

31. How does the match funding work?鈥疉nd what are the funding intervention rates?听

Match funding is private funding committed by the organisation听at a rate agreed听at the outset of a Grant 贵耻苍诲颈苍驳听Agreement, and听is听additional听to the听value of the听grant.听Organisations are听required听to provide match funding which, when combined with the grant funding calculates the total cost of the project. Industry should contribute match听funding to听the听minimum听match funding contribution as defined by Subsidy Control Legislation, see听Section听9 鈥淪ubsidy Control鈥澨齣n the听of the Announcement of Opportunity for full details. Academia and other not-for-profit organisations should use Full Economic Cost (FEC) calculated using TRAC听methodology.听听

For NSIP grants,听match funding is split equally throughout the project duration, so applicants must have adequate funds available to support their contribution from the first milestone.听听As grants are also paid only on completion of activity at each milestones successful projects will be听required听to show at the听Pre-Award听due diligence stage that they hold sufficient funds to finance this.听

32. Are in-kind contributions to match-funding from UK-based project partners eligible?听

No. We听can鈥檛听accept in-kind contributions for match funding.听Project partners may give in-kind contributions to the lead organisation, but UKSA cannot classify this as match funding听for subsidy control purposes.

33. Does the听maximum听grant award offered include the match funding contribution?听

Match funding is听additional听to the听maximum听grant offered听to the project听by UKSA.听The grant value plus match funding equals the total cost of the of the project.听听Organisations听should contribute听match funding听to the total cost of the project calculated using Subsidy Control Rules.听

34. Do the match funding funds have to be听immediately听available when applying for funding?听

In most cases yes, match funding must have been agreed and secured at the time of applying for the grant so that the project can听commence听as soon as the grant agreement has been completed.听If a project requires time to secure the match funding, this will need to be declared in the application and a timeline provided for securing funds. To maximise the benefits of Call听3听funding and ensure smooth delivery of projects,听UK Space Agency听may听require听match funding is secured prior to听commencing听grant activities.听

35. We鈥檇听like to听leverage听this grant to raise match funding from private investors - what mechanisms are there for this?听

As a business decision, this is not something the Agency could comment on, but听please remember match funding must be in place for the start of the grant.听听

For organisations who do wish to seek private investment, the听Unlocking Space for Investment听team in UKSA provides useful information and resources to support this activity.鈥�听

36. What are the subsidy rules on NSIP grants?听

UK Space Agency must be satisfied that the recipient organisation is not in financial difficulties and must not provide rescuing or restructuring subsidies to ailing or insolvent enterprises so may request organisation level supporting information.听听We听are also required to听ensure the project and organisations are acting within the subsidy scheme rules for which a 拢3听million cap from public bodies applies to funded activity over the previous 3 years (or life of the project) if:听

• The same project or activities as defined under the relevant categories of the streamlined route.鈥�鈥�听

• For the same or听substantially same听specific purpose as听a previous听award.鈥�鈥�听

• Awarded to the same enterprise by any public authority.鈥�鈥�听听

In accordance with听chapter 10 of the statutory guidance听(as detailed in Section听9听of听the Announcement of Opportunity),听previous听subsidy awards from public authorities needs to be considered when assessing the award does not breach the total allowed under the scheme.听Applicants should note that the听maximum听award amount for both industrial research and experimental development projects is 拢3,000,000 per enterprise per project.听

37. Does winning funding through this competition count towards our company鈥檚 the Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) total of 拢315,000?听

Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) is a specific听type of subsidy. Applicants who wish to apply under this route would need to count funding received towards the total of 拢315,000, and UKSA could not award any amount exceeding this.听If you choose not to apply for MFA and provide match funding towards the project, this grant funding will not be classified as an MFA subsidy and will not cumulate towards your 拢315,000 total.听

38. Would my proposal be suited to Kick Starter or Major project funding?听

Due to the variation in weighting of criteria between KS and MP it is important to consider carefully which call you will apply for. A Kick Starter project is听roughly early听stage (TRL1-4) with an emphasis on highly disruptive or novel proposals and Major projects should achieve high TRL5-9 with an emphasis on commercialisation and catalysing investment.听TRL levels may differ听from those听indicated, e.g. starting at听TRL3 and ending at TRL6. Applicants should consider which scheme鈥檚 weighting would be most suited to the proposal. The same application cannot be听submitted听to both schemes听and UKSA will not be able to听provide听pre-application advice on which scheme your proposal is most suited to.听听

39. How should the overhead rate be managed?听

We understand that organisations calculate overheads in听different ways.鈥�听

The听Announcement of听Opportunity听and the听Full Application Form Part A听excel finance听template include听notes on what information is听required. Please听refer to听Section听4听鈥楩inancial Requirements鈥櫶齩f the听Announcement of听Opportunity.听听听

Section 10听offers听4听options for overhead costs:鈥�听

• No overheads听-听You can select this听option听if you are not incurring or claiming grant for your overheads.鈥�听

• A听20% of labour costs option听-听allows you to claim 20% of your labour costs as overhead, which听includes both direct and indirect overhead. Selecting this听option听allows us to review a successful grant application much faster as no further documentation is needed from you.鈥�听

• The calculate overheads听option听-听asks you to complete calculations for claiming direct and indirect overheads. Any value claimed under this method will need to be reviewed by our project finance team if your application is successful. This听process allows us to听assess the appropriateness of the overhead value you are claiming.鈥�听

• FEC for eligible academic organisations听

Full overhead recovery or full absorption costing is not eligible.鈥�听

40. My organisation is听not听VAT听registered;听can we pass on VAT charges to听UK Space Agency听grant?听

Grants are not a payment for a听service;听they are provided without expectation of any return to UK Space Agency. Grant funding is therefore outside the scope of VAT so you cannot charge output VAT on top of your submitted costs.听

However, organisations that are not registered for VAT may include VAT incurred within their costs and will听be听limited to听reimbursement for pre-agreed project activities only.听In some circumstances听where VAT costs on items listed in the finance sheet cannot be reclaimed from other sources UK Space Agency can consider this to be听in scope. Please provide details on the Part A Application Form: Instruments, Consumables and Equipment sheet including justification for why this听cannot be reclaimed through any other route.听

41. Should we explicitly听state听the overhead rate attached to salary costs, or would you prefer it to be amalgamated into a combined salary/overhead cost for each staff position?

Overhead rates should be separately听calculated and treated under听one of听the options given in听Section听10.听

Where the standard 20% rate is selected this should be applied against听staff cost lines in the听work package finances. Where calculated overheads are听chosen,听please follow the guidance to calculate these provided.听For organisations able to request FEC please use the overheads category provided.听

42. What is understood听by staff听cost?听听

Costs should be applied for any staff that will be part of the project team/work regardless of employment status within the organisation听(i.e.: short/long-term fixed or permanent contracts). However, any costs for project work done by sub-contractors must be declared as a separate cost to the project. Sub-contractors cannot be partners to the project and justification in the proposal would need to be clearly听stated听as to the requirement for use of sub-contractors.听

Please refer to听the听standard grant funding webpage for detail on 鈥淲hat costs will UK Space Agency grant funding cover?鈥�听

43. Can staff cost be changed afterwards?听

Note that听once a听grant听is awarded, the听contribution to staff salaries cannot be increased in line with inflation or any other pay amendments.听Please account for costs听required听for the full duration of your project and note you will only be able to claim for pay costs at the rates agreed in the proposal. UK Space Agency will not increase the grant value or re-allocate budget to cover higher pay rates even if actual pay increases during the project duration.听听

Costs for project work done by sub-contractors must be declared as a separate budget line classified as sub-contract costs. Sub-contractors cannot be partners to the project and justification in the proposal would need to be clearly听stated听as to the requirement for use of sub-contractors.

44. Do听staff听costs relate only to staff on a PAYE payroll or would staff employed on short/long-term fixed contracts be eligible?听

Costs should be applied for any staff that will be part of the project team/work regardless of employment status within the organisation. However, any costs for project work done by sub-contractors must be declared as a separate cost to the project. Sub-contractors cannot be partners to the project and justification in the proposal would need to be clearly听stated听as to the requirement for use of sub-contractors.听

45. How is funding scrutiny managed?听Are we to expect financial scrutiny?鈥�听

At each milestone a finance report detailing breakdown of project spend by budget category is required and听grant claims must be accompanied by听evidence of听spend (timesheets, receipts or similar) for all claimed items (from any budget category) over 拢500, or听a minimum of the top three highest value items if none over 拢500, and any assets or asset improvement costs.鈥疎vidence of the values claimed may be requested at any time during the project or for 7 years following. We recommend you keep a file of all staff time sheets,听receipts听and sub-contracts.听

You will also听be required听to revisit the work package costs at any formal change, and project reviews, reporting on spend against profile and confidence in future spend values.听

Financial scrutiny extends beyond grant funded activity.听听UK Space Agency must be satisfied that the recipient organisation is not in financial difficulties and must not provide rescuing or restructuring subsidies to ailing or insolvent enterprises so may request organisation level supporting information.听听We听are also required to听ensure the project and organisations are acting within the subsidy scheme rules for which a 拢3听million cap applies to funded activity over the previous 3 years (or life of the project) if:听

• The same project or activities as defined under the relevant categories of the streamlined route.鈥�鈥�听

• For the same or听substantially same听specific purpose as听a previous听award.鈥�鈥�听

• Awarded to the same enterprise by any public authority.

Major Projects vs Kick Starter Guidance听

46. Can you provide guidance on the amount of funding that can be applied for?听

NSIP Kick Starter will provide grants of 拢150k - 拢1m over 12听months for low TRL (1-4) projects with an emphasis on innovation and disruption. NSIP Major Projects,听for higher TRL projects (5-9)听will offer grants of 拢150k听- 拢2m. All grants under NSIP Call听3听must complete听by听听30th听September 2029听and any money not spent must be returned.听听

47. We have a project that requires听a significant proportion听of the spend in this听financial year. Is this acceptable?听

The UK Space Agency recognises that in many instances, rapid route to market is important. We are听very happy听to receive proposals that will undertake significant work this听financial year听and will听seek听to support companies in听a timely听way as best we can, within our budget envelope.听听

48. May a project that implies a change from TRL 7 to TRL 8 be taken in consideration?听

Yes. By the end of the project there must be a tangible improvement in the TRL of the technology or a demonstration of advancement in approach (engineering method, technical competence etc) that would enable and support space industry.听听

49. Can you clarify whether the TRL鈥檚 listed for Kickstarter/Major projects are start or end levels? Can end TRL鈥檚 be higher than the bracket,听i.e.听can a Kickstarter begin at 4 and end at 7?听

There are no prescribed TRL target for proposals. By the end of the project there must be a tangible improvement in the TRL of the technology or a demonstration of advancement in approach (engineering method, technical competence etc) that would enable and support space industry.听The indicated TRL split between Major Projects and Kick Starter are indicative and applications may differ from this. In this instance applicant should consider the purpose of the grant and how it aligns to the varied assessment weightings set out in the Announcement of Opportunity.

50. What is meant by low-TRL vs. high-TRL? What is expected at each TRL level?听

Technology readiness levels (TRL) are a type of measurement system used to assess the maturity level of a particular technology. A technology project is evaluated against the parameters for each technology level and can then be assigned a TRL rating based on the projects progress.听

There are 9 technology readiness levels. TRL 1 is the lowest and TRL 9 is the highest. As NSIP we classify low-TRL as TRL levels 1 - 4 and high-TRL as TRL levels 5 - 9.听

The TRL levels and definitions are as follows:听

• TRL 1: basic principles听observed听and reported听

• TRL 2: technology concept or application formulated听

• TRL 3: analytical and experimental critical function or characteristic proof-of-concept听

• TRL 4: technology basic validation in a laboratory environment听

• TRL 5: technology basic validation in a relevant environment听

• TRL 6: technology model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment听

• TRL 7: technology prototype demonstration in an operational environment听

• TRL 8: actual technology completed and qualified through test and demonstration听

• TRL 9: actual technology qualified through successful mission operations听

There are many TRL level guides available online. For听example听the鈥�.听

Partnership

51. What is expected of a Project Lead?听

The project lead is the liaison between the project team and UK Space Agency. They are expected to have comprehensive knowledge of work undertaken by their own and any partner organisations.听听听

The Lead Organisation听is responsible for听flow down of grant terms and conditions, due diligence of any partners and sub-contractors to ensure compliance with government wide and NSIP specific funding rules. Milestone claims and payments will flow through the Lead Organisation who听are responsible for听checking parter claims are correct and听disseminating听payments. The Lead Organisation will听be required听to provide听Post-award听updates to support our monitoring and evaluation of the NSIP programme for up to 8 years beyond the grant end, to allow us to follow-up on any long-term success.听

The Project Lead听is NSIP鈥檚 main point of contact with the project and听facilitates听regular reporting and milestone reviews, in addition to ad hoc updates.听听They should be confident reporting on technical progress, risk,听budget听and schedule, and should any of these areas听indicate听a change to the project plan, communicate early with UKSA to discuss ways forward. The Project Lead does not need to be the most experienced person in the project team but must ensure they have adequate time set aside for the role and authority within the team to relay information. The Project lead should be available to respond to queries from the point of proposal submission, through听Pre-Award听due diligence checks, completion of the project and until provision of the Independent Assurance Report.听听

52. What is the difference between a partner and a sub-contractor?鈥�听

• A听project partner will be included in your proposal and will be included in the grant award. They will need to contribute match funding to their proportion of project cost.听

• A project听partnership听that results in an uplift in the subsidy control intervention rate听is听defined as:听Enterprises may receive a 15% uplift to the subsidy ratios for Feasibility Studies, Industrial Research or Experimental Development where the project involves collaboration between enterprises, where at least one of the enterprises is an SME, or between an enterprise and one or more research and knowledge dissemination organisation, which must have the right to publish its own research results.鈥疉cademic partners on projects led by enterprises will still be funded in all cases at 80% of full economic cost听

• a subcontractor will be paid from the award and therefore will be included as part of the overall project costs.听Sub-contractor costs must only be for the value of the work completed, please review the announcement of opportunity for full details.

An organisation cannot be both a partner and a sub-contractor to the same proposal.听An applicant organisation may choose to partner on multiple proposals with other consortia however should consider resourcing if multiple proposals are successful.

The lead organisation听is responsible for听completing diligence checks on partner organisations and should complete Application Form Part D 鈥� Partner Assurance Statements for each partner.听During the project, the lead organisation must coordinate project schedules,听complete milestone听reports听and sign off on other partner and subcontractor claims and costs.

53. What听type of collaboration/partnership programme is the Agency promoting?听听

We do not promote any type of collaboration and there is no restriction on types of organisations that can partner. It can be any combination, for example, industry and academia,听industry听and industry, as well as an academic partnership etc.听

For any partnerships or subcontractor arrangements please ensure agreement on IP ownership is properly agreed and formalised.听

54. Is there a limit to the number of collaboration partners?听

There are no minimum or maximum number of partners. However, we suggest each partner has a clear role within the project.鈥� If you听require听more than 7 partner听organisations听please contact听UKSA.NSIP@dsit.gov.uk听in听good time听before the proposal submission date so that we can provide support with the application form limitations.

55. Is the participation of an industry partner necessary/preferred or that all academic consortia may also be welcome to apply?听

There is no requirement for an industry partner to be involved, all academic consortiums are welcome.听Consideration will need to be made to the type of collaboration听that best suits the project and roles each organisation plays.听听

When applying for听intervention rates, Academic partners on projects led by enterprises will still be funded in all cases at 80% of full economic cost. The听uplift听to subsidy ratios听are听limited by the subsidy scheme to those between enterprises, where at least one of the enterprises is an SME, or between an enterprise and one or more research and knowledge dissemination organisation, which must have the right to publish its own research results.鈥�听听

56. Does the organisational background information apply only to the lead organisation?听

No. All proposals must include organisational background information for all those involved including those put forward in collaboration.听

57. What are collaboration agreements? Would sub-contractors have any IP publication rights?听

Collaboration Agreements should provide a flow-down of the听UK Space Agency听Grant Funding Agreement听terms, explicitly define IP ownership and听other terms of collaboration听such as work schedules and payments.听If听you听sub-contract work,听this may not affect the IP publication rights of your company, but this is for the lead organisation to confirm.听听听

A collaboration agreement must听be in place and shared with NSIP听team by the听lead organisation within听2听months听of project kick off. The Agency does not supply a template collaboration agreement听or get involved in their negotiation 鈥� this is a matter for lead organisations and their project partners.

58. Will the UK Space Agency听maintain听any rights over any IP developed in the project?听

No, the UK Space Agency听doesn鈥檛听retain听any IP. Please refer to the Grant Funding Agreement for terms and conditions - listed in the call documents.听

59. Is it a requirement to have partners in the project? Would applications with a single partner working with advisors and subcontractors be penalised over partnerships?听

It is not a requirement to have a project partner听and applications without partners will not be听penalised. It听may be听advantageous听to fill capability gaps or听demonstrate听commercial听pull for the听innovation听through听partnerships,听however this听may be听done through听any other听mechanism that suits your听proposal,听and partnerships must听be demonstrably effective to听benefit听the proposal on assessment.听听For further information please see Section听6听鈥楢ssessment of Applications鈥櫶齣n the Announcement of Opportunity, which outlines the assessment criteria and weighting for applications.

60. Can a university be a lead organisation, or does the call require an industry partner?听

Yes, a university can be a lead organisation听or sole grant recipient听for听a proposal.听Based on the assessment criteria it will be important that university applicants consider the commercial听benefit or target market their innovation might bring, and how they might develop a route to market for the resulting听technology/capability.听We strongly听encourage any听academics听or researchers听planning to act听as Project听Lead听to carefully consider听their听workloads听as听grant听project听management听补苍诲听reporting duties that may听impact听teaching or researching time.听

61. What is the maximum percentage of total funding听requested听that can be听allocated听to non-UK subcontractors?听

A maximum of 50% of grant funds can be spent on subcontracting costs,听however these costs can only be incurred for听essential capabilities that cannot听otherwise听be sourced in the UK.听听

62. Do all project staff have to be identified/hired prior to听submitting听the project application?听听

No, not all staff have to be place/hired by submission of the proposal, but听recruitment plans听should听indicate听confidence that a position will be听filled听and the time听required听to do so must be contained within the project schedule.

Monitoring and Evaluation听

63. How will听UK Space Agency听collect听monitoring and evaluation听data?听

The Applicant听is required to听report on how the听grant has led to investment and contract revenue as well as wider impacts of the funding received.听UKSA will agree with the听Applicant听at kick off the听leading听outcomes听indicators to听monitor听as set out in Annex 12 of the Grant Funding Agreement.听It will be captured via a short, structured check to provide early signals of outcomes (e.g. technical progress, route-to-market signals). These are not a measure of performance.听听

UKSA will also听monitor听benefits听realised or progress made against听the exploitation plan in the proposal听at key progress听meetings.听听

UKSA also may appoint an external M&E consultancy to capture听M&E听data and delivery findings for NSIP and the programme鈥檚 overall benefits realisation plan.听We ask听that projects engage with the听process, through听surveys,听interviews听and information requests. UKSA reserves听the right to update the information and indicators it requires grantees to report for the purposes of programme evaluation and benefits management听during the project lifecycle.

1. Are we听required听to听submit听metrics as a听university?听

Yes,听it is a condition of grant funding that听all organisations in the project will need to return听metrics听data听agreed at the kick off meeting听for outcomes听monitoring听and evaluation, coordinated by the project lead.听Consistent monitoring and evaluation of our programmes is听vital听to ensure we are delivering our听programme鈥檚听goals,听ensures听we are delivering听effectively听against the Government鈥檚 space goals,听informs how we prioritise our resource, and make the case for future public spending on space听R&D.听

65. What are the audit requirements on the grant?听

An independent听reasonable assurance report听is听required听as part of the total cost of the project. Confirmation will be听required听that the Grant Recipient has听expended听the sums in respect of the period in which the milestone payments have been claimed. For this purpose, a report must be completed within 6 months of the grant concluding.听Reasonable assurance reports are an ineligible project cost (so听can鈥檛听be claimed through the grant).

As part of听UK Space Agency听Grant Funding Agreements, recipients should keep project documentation for seven years following the completion of the grant.听UK Space Agency听commissions audits of grant projects through the Government Internal Assurance Agency (GIAA) each year听and NSIP grants may be subject to this scrutiny at any time.

66. Is guidance available on what is meant by Market Opportunity and Share?听

Yes, this may be found in Section 5 of the Investor Readiness Essentials:听Track 1: Investor Readiness Essentials - 扒哥吃瓜

Flexigrant听

67. How do I register for听Flexigrant听to apply for NSIP Call 3?听

Flexigrant听is听an online grant management听tool听being used to manage the NSIP Call 3听Outline stage.听To apply, you听will need to听register听for听Flexigrant听via the听.听Once you have signed in you should听be able to听see on the Application Portal听the details for applying to NSIP Call 3.听听

68. I cannot find the听NSIP Call 3 application link in the DSIT Grants portal听

You can register your interest in applying for NSIP Call 3 on the EOI application page听.听听

To apply for NSIP Call 3, please听submit听an online application听form via the Outline proposal application page听.听

69. Can I request multiple users to view the same application?听

You can enable the 鈥榓pplication collaboration鈥� setting which allows the lead applicant to invite others (as long as听you听have a听Flexigrant听account) to view/complete the application with them. For instructions on this,听select the听Participants听tab听on the Summary page听and add听participants.鈥疶his will then send听an听invite to听collaborate on the application to the email address provided.听The lead听applicant听is responsible for听checking and听submitting听the final application.听Collaborators听or co-applicants听can be听deleted听at any time听during the application process.

70. Do I need to add all听collaborators and partners to the application?听

Yes,听you will need to list听all the partners on the consortium听that you intend to use in the project听in the Organisation听Details听section听on page 2听of听Flexigrant.听Letters of intent will need to be听uploaded as part of the Outline application听to听evidence听the involvement of the partners listed on the application.听These can be attached on page 5听of the application.听If you听don鈥檛听have any听partners听you will still need to fill in Lead Organisation details听on听page 2.听

71. Can I work on the application听over听a period of time?听

Yes,听as long as听you听submit听before the Outline proposal deadline on 21 August,听you听are welcome to edit your application听补苍诲听save progress as you go. The portal allows you to edit each part of the application听at any time as follows:

• i. Main Details听

• ii. Organisation Details听

• iii. Estimated Costs听

• iv. Outline Proposal听

• v. Letters of Support/Letters of Intent听

• vi. Declaration

The portal times out after two hours.听Please ensure you save progress as you go听or have backed up answers elsewhere,听so as not to lose any changes.

72. Can I change听the lead applicant details?听

The听name of the听individual听creating the proposal听on听Flexigrant听will be听auto populated as听the named contact听at the top of听page 1,听in听both the Outline and Expression of听Interest听forms.听This cannot be amended.听You must听click 鈥楨dit鈥� and enter mandatory contact details before you are able to听submit听the forms.听Messages sent via听Flexigrant听for administrative purposes, for example notifications听regarding听deadlines and proposal outcomes, will be sent to this contact.听

If you wish to name a different lead applicant,听who will be responsible for communicating on the grant at later stages should it be successful, including any due diligence questions UKSA may ask,听you can do so in each form where lead organisation details are requested.听

It is important that the听named听contact听has听the听authority to听submit听on behalf of the听lead听organisation听补苍诲听reads and understands听all the Call 3 documents including the Announcement of Opportunity听before applying.听

If the named contact is no longer available, please contact the fund administrators and we will send further instruction on how to听proceed听with the application.听

73. Can I change my application from Kick Starter to Major Project?听

You can change the details of your proposal right up to the point of submission. After the application has been听submitted, we cannot change any details in the application form.

74. Can I change the听estimated costs?听

You听are able to听edit the estimated costs by听financial year听and matched funding information, up to the point of submission. Once the proposal has been听submitted听you cannot change the costings, and听UKSA reserves the right鈥痶o鈥痳eject鈥痑pplications at Full Proposal stage in the event the budgets are materially different from those set out at鈥疧utline鈥疨roposal stage.鈥疨lease ensure that you听read听the听Subsidy guidance and adhere to the match funding rates, or your application may be rejected.听

75. Do I have to听attach images听and documents听to听the application form?听

An听image/diagram in support of question 4 is mandatory for question 4b. Letters听of听intent from any project partners are also mandatory.听An image/diagram in support of question 2 and听letters of听support from听other parties in support of question 4 are optional.听

Attachments should be uploaded to听the听Flexigrant听portal听where听requested on the application听form and听clearly referenced听as per听the听naming convention outlined in Section听5.3 of the Announcement听of听Opportunity.听

You may edit/delete听attachments at any point during the live application.

76. Is听Flexigrant听compatible with Assistive Technology?听

No,听Flexigrant听is not compatible with Assistive technology. If you听have accessibility听requirements, or听continue to听have significant difficulties completing your application online using听Flexigrant, please contact听UKSA.NSIP@dsit.gov.uk听before the deadline.听听

77. Can we fill out the听Word version听outline application form?听

You may use the downloadable Outline application form as a reference document听or听for drafting purposes. However,听any application submissions using the offline form will not be accepted, and only those through the听Flexigrant听portal will be reviewed.听听听

You have the听option听of downloading your application form as a pdf document should you wish to keep an offline copy of your application, although all communications on the progress of your application will be managed through听Flexigrant听portal.

78. I听realised I missed out a section of the application after听submitting, can I please recall and complete听it?听

Once your application has been听submitted,听it is not possible听recall the application and send a different version听or edit听it post-submission.听Mandatory sections will be highlighted for听completion听补苍诲听the application cannot be听submitted听without completion.听All submissions are final, and multiple applications听of the听same proposal will not听be accepted and the first submission taken as final. Please ensure that you check all the details in your application听补苍诲听all听sections are ticked or completed before submission.听

79. Will I be able to withdraw an application following submission?听

You may withdraw an application after the Stage 1 deadline by emailing UKSA.NSIP@dsit.gov.uk but you will be unable to听submit听a replacement proposal.听

80. I want to provide听additional听information听outside of听the word count restriction, can I upload a document to supplement a question?听

No, all answers to the question must fit within the word count in the听online Outline application form.听Additional听words outside the limit will be听deleted听automatically.听Any supplementary answer sheets will not be considered as part of the application. Supplementary diagrams are allowed in support of the听application听but these must be听provided as per听stated听limits.听

81. Where do I find the听downloadable versions of the听Call 3 documents?听

All听NSIP Call 3 documents are published on听the gov.uk page:听听

/government/publications/national-space-innovation-programme-call-3听

We recommend that project teams develop their answers offline, seek necessary approvals and once all information is final the lead contact can upload on the听Flexigrant听portal to avoid too many changes in the live application.听

82. I saved my听application听but it did not听submit听and now its past the deadline听

We recommend that you听submit听the application in plenty of time ahead of the deadline to avoid听technical issues that might delay submission close to the deadline.听In the event that听you have听submitted听the application but did not get a confirmation听message, please contact听UKSA.NSIP@dsit.gov.uk听as soon as possible听and we will respond during office hours. Please do not leave your application submission to the last minute as it will听limit the support we can give to听any technical issues with听your application. All applications are in draft but not submitted will not be considered for review.