Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 4 August 2026

1. What is the Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF)? 

The Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) is a UK Space Agency programme that invests in space research and development (R&D) infrastructure across the UK. SCIF aims to strengthen the capability, capacity and connectivity of the UK space sector by supporting facilities, equipment and infrastructure that enable organisations to develop, test, manufacture, qualify and commercialise space technologies.  

2. Why was SCIF created? 

SCIF was created to address a practical barrier to growth in the UK space sector: limited access to specialist infrastructure. Space companies, researchers and supply chains often need facilities such as test environments, laboratories, cleanrooms, manufacturing capability and qualification infrastructure before they can prove technologies, attract investment, win customers and reach commercial markets. SCIF helps reduce that barrier by investing in infrastructure that strengthens UK capability, supports regional growth and improves access across the wider ecosystem.

3. What does SCIF fund? 

SCIF funds testing, manufacturing and qualification infrastructure that supports space sector growth. This can include but is not limited to laboratories, test facilities, cleanrooms, specialist equipment, digital manufacturing capability, data infrastructure, launch-related capability, advanced materials facilities and other assets that help organisations progress technologies from development towards commercial deployment. 

4. How does SCIF support UK space clusters? 

The UK’s space ecosystem is underpinned by a network of expert, locally led space clusters that help businesses identify opportunities, connect with partners and align with regional strengths and priorities. Within SCIF, clusters help foster the local ecosystem, build relationships and provide expertise so that infrastructure projects deliver benefits beyond individual applicants and support the wider local space sector. The programme also improves access to infrastructure for businesses, universities and researchers.

5. Is SCIF only for established space companies? 

No. SCIF-funded infrastructure is intended to benefit a broad range of organisations, including SMEs, start-ups, universities, research organisations and supply chain businesses. The goal is to improve access to facilities that might otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable.  

6. Can SMEs apply? 

Yes. SMEs, start-ups and other companies can submit an Expression of Interest and may apply to the formal funding call when it opens later in the year, provided they meet the eligibility requirements set out in the call documentation. Early-stage companies may wish to consider whether a consortium approach would strengthen their proposal, particularly where delivery, match funding, commercial sustainability or access to wider users would benefit from partners.

7. What makes a successful SCIF bid? 

A successful bid will demonstrate a strong alignment with the objectives for the programme.  

SCIF has been designed to: 

• Increase the capability and capacity of UK space R&D infrastructure. 

• Improve access to facilities and resources. 

• Strengthen collaboration across the UK space ecosystem. 

• Support regional growth and cluster development. 

• Catalyse private investment. 

• Develop nationally significant capabilities aligned to strategic priorities. 

8. How does SCIF contribute to economic growth? 

By investing in critical infrastructure, SCIF helps organisations innovate faster, attract customers and investors, develop new products and services, and create high-value jobs. Improved infrastructure also makes the UK a more attractive location for space investment and commercial activity by strengthening regional capability and supporting commercialisation across the wider space ecosystem.

9. What role do space clusters play in SCIF? 

Space clusters play an important role in helping SCIF projects connect to local capability and demand. At the Expression of Interest stage, applicants will be asked whether they have engaged with their local cluster and whether they consent to their EOI being shared with the relevant UK space cluster lead. Where applicants opt in, cluster leads will review relevant EOIs and may provide support to help applicants strengthen their outline proposals. They will also provide written feedback to the UK Space Agency. This feedback can help identify potential collaborators, local priorities, conflicts of interest, cross-cluster opportunities, skills and supply chain benefits, and opportunities to strengthen proposals before the outline proposal stage. 

SCIF works closely with the UK Space Cluster Network to ensure investments respond to local strengths and needs while delivering national benefits.  

10. How does SCIF support collaboration?

SCIF encourages organisations to work together across regions, sectors and disciplines. Investments are intended to create shared assets that can be accessed by multiple users and stimulate new partnerships between industry, academia, government and investors.

11. What makes SCIF different from other innovation funding programmes? 

SCIF is the first dedicated space infrastructure fund of its kind in the UK. It focuses on infrastructure rather than individual research projects, supporting the facilities, equipment and capability that enable technology development and innovation to happen at scale. This means SCIF can create long-term assets that support multiple users, strengthen regional and national capability, reduce barriers to commercialisation and help the UK retain strategically important space capabilities. 

12. Who is eligible to bid? 

The EOI is an early, non-mandatory part of the process and is open to any organisation interested in submitting a potential SCIF project idea. 

Any company based in the UK is eligible to bid for funding when the outline call opens later in the year, however whilst public bodies can be involved as part of a consortium bid, they are ineligible to lead a proposal.

13. Can Government organisations bid?

Government organisations and public bodies are not eligible to lead proposals, but they may be involved as part of a consortium where their role adds value to the project or supports delivery.

14. Can SMEs or start-ups apply directly for SCIF funding?

Yes. SMEs and start-ups can engage with the EOI process and may apply to the formal call if they meet the eligibility requirements. Applicants should consider whether they can demonstrate credible delivery, demand, match funding, commercial sustainability and wider ecosystem benefit. Where an early-stage company cannot demonstrate these requirements, a consortium bid may be more appropriate.

15. What opportunities are there for early-stage companies? 

Early-stage companies are encouraged to use the EOI process to test project ideas and identify whether additional partners, cluster support or consortium arrangements would strengthen a future proposal. The EOI stage is intended to help applicants shape stronger proposals ahead of the formal competitive process.

16. What should applicants demonstrate about SME demand?

Applicants should show clear demand for the facility from SMEs or other users, explain how it will support growth, and demonstrate its commercial viability and wider benefit. They should also set out how the facility fits with the local ecosystem, including how users will access it and how it will support future activity.

17. Will projects need to show commercial sustainability?

Projects will need to demonstrate how the funded activities will remain commercially sustainable once the grant funding is complete. Future usage and revenue projections will help support this.

18. What should SMEs do now if they are interested?

SMEs interested in SCIF should submit an Expression of Interest. Where applicants consent, EOIs will be shared with the relevant cluster manager to help identify potential feedback, partners or opportunities to strengthen the proposal. Details of the outline proposal stage will be released in due course and will be open to all eligible applicants.

19. What happens after I submit an Expression of Interest?

The UK Space Agency will review EOI responses to understand potential project ideas, infrastructure needs, funding requirements and opportunities for collaboration. Where applicants have consented, relevant EOIs may also be shared with the appropriate cluster lead to help identify feedback, potential partners or opportunities to strengthen the proposal. The EOI stage is not scored and does not determine eligibility for the formal funding call.

20. Who is my local cluster lead?

The UK Space Cluster Network
Region / Nation	Space Cluster	Contact
Cornwall	Cornwall Space Cluster	https://www.cornwallspacecluster.co.uk/get-in-touch/
South Coast	Space South Central	https://www.spacesouthcentral.com/contact
South West England	Space West	https://www.nccuk.com/sectors/other-sectors/space/space-west/contact-space-west/
Harwell (Oxfordshire)	Harwell Space Cluster	https://www.harwellcampus.com/space-cluster/
Westcott (Buckinghamshire)	Westcott Space Cluster	https://westcottspacecluster.org.uk/contact/
East of England	Space East	https://spaceeast.co.uk/contact/
East & West Midlands	Midlands Space Cluster	https://midlandsspacecluster.org.uk/contact-us/
Wales	Space Wales	https://spacewales.co.uk/contact/
North East England	Space North East England	https://www.spacenortheastengland.com/contact-space-north-east
Yorkshire & The Humber	Space Hub Yorkshire	https://spacehubyorkshire.org/network/
North West England	North West Space Cluster	https://sci-techdaresbury.com/science-technology/clusters/
Northern Ireland	NI Space	https://nispace.org/contact-us
Scotland	Space Scotland	https://spacescotland.org/get-involved/contact-us/
West of Scotland	West of Scotland Space Cluster	https://www.westofscotland.space/contact

21. What questions will be asked in the Expression of Interest (EOI) form?

Microsoft Forms may not save partially completed responses. As such, we strongly recommend preparing any longer written answers in a separate document and then copying them into the form when ready to submit. The Expression of Interest (EOI) form will ask the below questions:

Section 1: Background

1. Organisation Name
2. Contact Name
3. Contact Email
4. What is your funding proposal name?
5. What is the Total Value of your proposal? (£, inclusive of grant value)
6. What is the proposed UKSA Grant Value? (£)
7. What is the proposed Match Value? (£)
8. Please briefly outline your project proposal (max. 1000 characters)
9. In what cluster will your project be located? (drop-down list)
10. Have you contacted your local Space Cluster about your proposed SCIF project?
11. Would you like to be introduced to your local space cluster manager to help strengthen your outline proposal?

Section 2: Benefits

1. What is the impact and benefit of your proposal to your organisation (e.g. TRL progression; enhancements to capability or capacity; on your business/project)? (max. 1000 characters)
2. What is the impact and benefit of your proposal to your local area/space ecosystem? (max. 1000 characters)
3. Which UKSA space categories is your project aligned to? (Click all that apply)

Section 3: Finance

1. Please provide your projected UKSA grant spend for FY 1 (Apr 26 – Mar 27)
2. Please provide your projected UKSA grant spend for FY 2 (Apr 27 – Mar 28)
3. Please provide your projected UKSA grant spend for FY 3 (Apr 28 – Mar 29)
4. Please provide your projected UKSA grant spend for FY 4 (Apr 29 – Mar 30)
5. Who are your project partners, if any? (max. 650 characters)
6. Do all of your project partners have a presence in the UK?
7. What is the source of your Match Funding for this project? (Click all that apply)
8. Are you open to speaking to a potential investor?

Section 4: Delivery Confidence

1. Please identify and briefly explain the top three risks to the successful delivery of your project (max. 1000 characters).
2. Please outline how your project will remain financially, operationally, and commercially sustainable in the long term (max. 1000 characters).

Section 5: Privacy & GDPR

1. Are you happy for UKSA to share your responses with relevant UK Space Cluster Network Leads? No information about the proposal or idea will be shared with any third party without prior agreement from the applicant.