The National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) is the UK Space Agency’s dedicated national programme to support the development of innovation in the UK’s space sector. The Programme aims to fund high-risk, high-reward technologies and applications to strengthen the UK’s position in the commercial space sector and accelerate route to market for space-related products and services.

NSIP Call 1 is an open competition, not limited to particular themes, and is Technology Readiness Level (TRL) agnostic: looking to fund projects between Q3/Q4 2023 and Q3 2026 at grant values of between £150k-£5m. Projects will be split between NSIP Major Projects (funding projects up to £5m) and NSIP Kick Starter (funding projects up to £1m).

NSIP Kick Starter, grown from the Enabling Technologies Programme (ETP), will provide grants of £150k-£1m for low TRL projects (1-4) with an emphasis on innovation and disruption. The NSIP Major Projects, built on the foundations of the NSIP pilot, will offer grants of £1m-£5m for higher TRL projects (5-9) with an emphasis on commercialisation and catalysing investment.

This bidders briefing will give a brief overview of the National Space Innovation Programme and NSIP Call 1 outlining the expected timescales and common pitfalls - this will then be followed a Q&A session.

The Q&A session will be published on the gov.uk website after the event to ensure accessibility for all those intending to submit proposals.

We encourage attendees to submit their questions prior to the event but will schedule time in the session to answer any live questions that are asked.

National Space Innovation Programme - NSIP Call 1 - Bidder Briefing