Guidance

How to apply for ESA BASS Enabling Study and Competitive Call ITT funding opportunities.

Updated 28 April 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accelerating-commercialisation-and-competitiveness-of-the-european-space-sector-access/how-to-apply-for-esa-bass-enabling-study-and-competitive-call-itt-funding-opportunities

The UK is not supporting applications to the Kick Start Open Call or Thematic Kick Start calls at this time. 

The information on this page does not apply to the Call for Proposals, nor the Open Call opportunities.  

It only applies to entities located in the United Kingdom (UK) only.

Find a list of all the currently open ACCESS BASS calls that the UK Space Agency is supporting.

Applicants should review the process in detail to ensure compliance with all requirements and to maximise the quality of their submission. The information provided here covers the submission procedure and stages of the assessment. ESA provide an overview of timelines on their website, although please be aware that these may vary depending on several factors. 

Our aim is to ensure that all applicants have a clear understanding of what we expect at each stage and are well-prepared to proceed smoothly through each process.  

For further guidance or clarification, please refer to the supporting documentation or contact the UK Space Agency directly at space-applications@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.

1. Introduction

This page sets out everything we think you need to know about applying for funding through a competitive Enabling Study, and a Competitive Invitation to Tender (ITT) call under the ESA BASS programme. 

The UK Space Agency Space Data and Applications team are not involved in the final assessment of either Enabling Studies, nor ITT proposals submitted to ESA.  

Enabling Studies, and Competitive ITT calls only support Proof of Concept (feasibility) study activities and often proceed to an open call BASS Pilot (demonstration) project provided that the output of the feasibility study is positive. 

You should contact the Space Data and Applications Team before preparing any proposal for Enabling Study or Competitive Call ITTs to ensure we are supporting that call as this can change at short notice depending on government priorities.

2. The UK Ambassador platform

Through the UK subscription to the ESA BASS programme, our free to use Ambassadors are available to provide support, guidance, and critical friend feedback as you develop your proposal documentation. The Ambassadors won’t write your proposal for you but can provide support and advice on BASS opportunities and support the preparation of your proposal.

Find out more about the UK Ambassador Platform.

3. About Kick Start calls

Until further notice the UK is not supporting applications to the Open Call Kick Start.

4. About Enabling Studies and Competitive Call Invitation to Tender (ITT)

These themed competitive calls focus on areas of higher risk, or where there is a perceived market gap, and intend to stimulate companies to think about how they could address the challenges presented in the call using space data and assets. 

Typically, the calls are for Proof of Concept Studies with a maximum available budget from ESA of between €200,000 to €300,000 up to a maximum of 50% of UK Space Agency funding with the proposer co-funding the other 50%+. Depending on the specific call sometimes the UK Space Agency funding percentage is higher, so please check the individual calls for the available funding percentage. We reserve the right to only fund up to a maximum of 50% despite what ESA may offer. 

Enabling Studies and Competitive Call ITTs allow for more scope and so companies can undertake more detailed and in-depth work. Enabling Study and Competitive Call ITT proposals are limited to nine months in duration.

4.1  The Enabling Study and Competitive Call ITT application process 

  1. Contact the team at space-applications@ukspaceagency.gov.uk as soon as possible to let them know you are applying for a particular Enabling Study or Competitive Call ITT. 

  2. Draft your full proposal using the relevant ESA templates. 

  3. When it is complete, final, and signed off internally, send it to the Space Applications and Data team at the address above for our review at the five (5) working day deadline. 

  4. Following a successful review, we will issue an AoF within the five (5) working days before the deadline or provide feedback if we reject the proposal. 

  5. ESA carry out a full, detailed assessment after the closing date of the call and notify applicants of the outcome. 

4.2  Important points to note for Enabling Studies and Competitive Call ITTs 

  • We reserve the right not to support any ITT proposal received for review but will provide feedback as to why we are not supporting it. 

  • There is no opportunity to iterate or update your proposal within the five working day review period, so please make sure you submit your absolute final version to the UK Space Agency for review. 

  • While our deadline is five (5) working days, it is in your best interest to submit the proposal as soon as possible to ensure adequate time for the team to issue an AoF letter. 

  • You should direct any queries about the call or application process to ESA as the UK Space Agency is not part of the process once proposals are submitted.

4.3 What we look for in an Enabling Study and Competitive Call ITT proposals 

The following list is for reference only and does not guarantee the National Delegate with issue an AoF award.  

  • All activities must take place in the UK. If an activity or organisation is based outside the UK, it must either be funded by the appropriate ESA delegate from that country (if relevant) or removed from the proposal. 

  • You should confirm that you have the resources, skills, knowledge and experience to execute the activities you are proposing 

  • Noting this is a Proof of Concept (feasibility) study, you should demonstrate consideration of the commercial potential for your proposed space powered product, application or service. This includes, but is not limited to, your potential customers and the market opportunity you are investigating 

  • You should show that you have the right skills, knowledge and experience in place to deliver your proposal 

  • We want to receive original innovative ideas. Please explain how your study is innovative or how it will lead to changes in the market and set you apart from your competitors

5. What happens next? 

Once you have submitted your Enabling Study or Competitive Call ITT application, ESA will respond with the outcome of your proposal in around six to eight weeks, but this can vary. The UK Space Agency Space Data and Applications team are not involved in the assessments and cannot provide accurate information about when you will hear back from ESA on the outcome of any submissions.

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