UK Space Agency International Bilateral Fund

Proposals invited to help strengthen the UK space sector’s partnerships with strategic and emerging space nations.

The UK Space Agency has launched the £20 million International Bilateral Fund (IBF) to support international partnerships that will harness the United Kingdom’s national strengths, support new space capabilities and catalyse investment.

Up to £2 million will initially be available from the IBF to help strengthen the space sector’s partnerships with other space nations, with further funding to be made available over the next two years.

The IBF is the UK Space Agency’s first dedicated fund focused on building and strengthening the UK’s relationships with strategically important international partners and partners from emerging space nations.

The funding is available to industry, academia and research organisations to work with international partners on projects that could help, for example, bring new services to market or support cutting-edge research.

This first tranche of funding will support approximately 30 projects, with up to £75,000 each, which will be overseen by the UK Space Agency in collaboration with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

These projects will build relationships between UK organisations and international counterparts and stimulate knowledge exchange, engagement and collaboration.

Successful phase one proposals could then secure a second tranche of IBF funding, where up to £1.5 million will be available for a period of 12 months to catalyse innovation across international partnerships.

Find out more about the International Bilateral Fund and how to apply.

First published 24 April 2023