Call for proposals - ESERO-UK
The UK Space Agency, through its Education and Future Workforce programme and in partnership with the European Space Agency, invites proposals to deliver ESERO-UK from 27/28 to 29/30. UK Space Agency funding of up to £4.5 million is available.
Documents
Details
The UK Space Agency, part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology (BIST), is committed to strengthening the space sector workforce by addressing current workforce challenges and nurturing the future space talent pipeline. The UK Space Agency’s Education and Future Workforce programme (EFW) provides opportunities to engage with space-related educational, enrichment and skills interventions at multiple life stages: across school, college, community, cultural and social settings to build and sustain interest, confidence, knowledge and competence to pursue space careers.
In collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), the UK Space Agency is seeking a consortium to deliver the European Space Education Resource Office in the UK (ESERO-UK): a UK-wide space education and engagement programme that uses space as a context to support learning, develop skills and provide opportunities for young people to explore space science, technology and its applications and pursue careers in the space sector.
The objectives for the ESERO‑UK programme are to:
-
Support the future space sector skills pipeline by supporting young people aged 4–19 to build interest, confidence, skills/competence and understanding of space, and to make informed choices about relevant subjects, qualifications, skills pathways and careers.
-
Improve equity, inclusion and diversity in the future space workforce by increasing access to high-quality space education and enrichment opportunities for young people who are underrepresented in STEM and space careers, or who face barriers to participation and progression.
-
Strengthen the capability and confidence of educators and other influencers to use space as a context for learning, enrichment and careers-related activity, so they can support young people’s learning, aspirations and career choices.
Timeline
The key dates for this grant call are as follows:
| Grant competition launch | 14 October 2026 | |
| Market engagement webinar | 28 October 2026 | |
| Application deadline | 11:59 pm UK time, 20 January 2027 | |
| Application assessment period | January-February 2027 | |
| Successful applicant notified | 24 February 2027 | |
| Grant start date | 1 April 2027 | |
| Delivery commencement | From 1 April 2027, with full delivery anticipated by September 2027 |
Funding
The UK Space Agency intends to award up to £4.5 million over financial years 2027/28 to 2029/30 to deliver ESERO-UK. ESA also expects to provide up to €750,000, approximately £638,700, over the same period, subject to separate contract negotiations. The total co-funding envelope available for ESERO-UK is therefore approximately £5,138,700 from April 2027 to March 2030. Applicants should submit proposals for the full UK Space Agency and ESA co-funded envelope, while recognising that the UK Space Agency grant funding and ESA funding will be secured through separate processes.