Call for Applications: EO Missions and Technology Innovation Call 1 (United Kingdom)

The UK Space Agency has launched the EO Missions and Technology (EOMT) Innovation Call 1 to support early-stage Earth Observation (EO) technology development in the UK. The programme offers grants of up to £200,000 for projects developing innovative EO satellite instrumentation, hardware, and enabling technologies with strong commercial, scientific, or dual-use potential.

About the EOMT Innovation Call 1

The EO Missions and Technology (EOMT) Innovation Call 1 is a funding initiative from the UK Space Agency designed to strengthen the UK’s Earth Observation (EO) technology capabilities.

The programme supports the development of innovative EO technologies that can advance the UK’s space sector while delivering future economic growth, export opportunities, scientific advancement, and dual-use applications. It encourages early-stage research and development that can mature into commercially viable products or contribute to future space missions.

The call welcomes applications from both established space organisations and new entrants to the Earth Observation and space technology sectors.

Funding Information

The UK Space Agency has allocated up to £1.4 million under this funding call.

Funding details include:

• Total programme funding: Up to £1.4 million.
• Maximum grant per project: Up to £200,000.
• Maximum project duration: 12 months.
• Projects must be completed on or before 31 October 2027.
• Projects should begin between Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1–4 and demonstrate progress toward higher technology readiness.

Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following areas:

• Earth Observation (EO) technologies.
• Early-stage satellite instrumentation.
• Satellite hardware development.
• Industrial research.
• Feasibility studies.
• Experimental development.
• Miniaturisation of existing EO technologies.
• EO-specific onboard processing.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Machine learning.
• Dual-use technologies.
• EO enabling technologies.
• Space technology innovation.

Programme Objectives

The EOMT Innovation Call aims to:

• Strengthen the UK’s Earth Observation technology capabilities.
• Support innovative satellite instrumentation and hardware development.
• Accelerate early-stage technology development.
• Encourage commercialisation of promising technologies.
• Promote industrial innovation within the UK space sector.
• Support technologies with scientific and economic benefits.
• Develop technologies suitable for future UK and international space missions.
• Encourage collaboration between industry and academia.

Eligible Activities

Funding supports activities such as:

• Industrial research.
• Feasibility studies.
• Experimental development.
• Development of novel EO technologies.
• Satellite instrumentation design.
• Hardware prototyping.
• AI-enabled onboard processing.
• Technology miniaturisation.
• Development of enabling technologies for Earth Observation systems.

Projects should include a clear Earth Observation hardware or instrumentation component.

Who is Eligible?

The funding call is open to:

• UK-based companies.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• Large businesses.
• Universities.
• Research organisations.
• Public sector organisations.
• Charities.
• Collaborative partnerships between industry and academia.
• Organisations new to the Earth Observation or space sector.

Collaborative proposals are strongly encouraged, particularly those combining academic research with industrial expertise.

Funding Rates

Funding levels depend on the applicant type and project activities.

Eligible funding includes:

• Universities conducting non-economic research may receive 80% of Full Economic Cost (FEC).
• Eligible research organisations may receive 100% of eligible project costs.
• Public sector organisations may receive full funding where eligibility conditions are met.
• Charities may also receive 100% of eligible costs, provided programme requirements are satisfied.

Funding is awarded in accordance with applicable UK Subsidy Control requirements.

Commercialisation Expectations

Applicants should demonstrate a clear pathway toward future success by describing:

• Commercialisation opportunities.
• Potential customers.
• Target markets.
• Export opportunities.
• Scientific impact.
• Routes to additional investment.
• Future development plans where commercialisation is not the primary objective.

Projects representing the first phase of a larger development programme should also explain future development stages.

Ineligible Projects

The following projects are not eligible for funding:

• Software-only projects.
• Projects without Earth Observation instrumentation or hardware.
• Space weather projects.
• Downstream Earth Observation data processing.
• Data validation activities.
• Data storage projects.
• Projects focused solely on purchasing equipment or facilities.
• Fundamental research without technology development.
• Activities lacking an Earth Observation technology focus.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Review the programme guidance and eligibility criteria.
2. Confirm that the project focuses on Earth Observation technology and hardware development.
3. Develop a proposal aligned with eligible Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 1–4).
4. Prepare a detailed project plan and implementation timeline.
5. Develop a realistic budget in accordance with funding rules.
6. Describe the commercial, scientific, or strategic value of the proposed technology.
7. Explain future development plans and commercialisation pathways.
8. Submit the completed application before the official deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly demonstrate innovation in Earth Observation technology.
• Include a strong hardware or satellite instrumentation component.
• Present realistic Technology Readiness Level progression.
• Explain future commercial or scientific applications.
• Demonstrate market demand or user need.
• Include a well-developed project plan and budget.
• Highlight collaboration between industry and academia where applicable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Submitting software-only proposals.
• Omitting an Earth Observation hardware component.
• Proposing projects outside the eligible Technology Readiness Levels.
• Providing unclear commercialisation strategies.
• Submitting proposals focused only on equipment purchases.
• Failing to explain future development plans.
• Including activities classified as fundamental research rather than technology development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the EO Missions and Technology (EOMT) Innovation Call 1?

It is a UK Space Agency funding programme that supports early-stage Earth Observation technology development, satellite instrumentation, and hardware innovation.

2. How much funding is available?

The programme has a total budget of up to £1.4 million, with individual projects eligible for grants of up to £200,000.

3. Who can apply?

UK-based companies, SMEs, universities, research organisations, charities, public sector organisations, and collaborative partnerships are eligible to apply.

4. What types of projects are supported?

The programme supports industrial research, feasibility studies, experimental development, satellite hardware, EO instrumentation, AI-enabled onboard processing, and other Earth Observation enabling technologies.

5. What projects are not eligible?

Software-only projects, downstream data processing, space weather projects, equipment-only purchases, data storage activities, and fundamental research projects are not eligible.

6. How long can funded projects last?

Projects may run for a maximum of 12 months and must be completed by 31 October 2027.

7. What should applicants include in their proposal?

Applicants should explain the project’s innovation, Earth Observation focus, Technology Readiness Level progression, commercialisation strategy, scientific impact, market opportunities, and future development plans.

Conclusion

The UK Space Agency EO Missions and Technology (EOMT) Innovation Call 1 provides a valuable opportunity for UK-based organisations to advance innovative Earth Observation technologies, satellite instrumentation, and hardware development. By supporting early-stage research with strong commercial and scientific potential, the programme aims to strengthen the UK’s leadership in space technology while fostering innovation, collaboration, and future economic growth within the Earth Observation sector.