Frequently Asked Questions
Published 21 July 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/expression-of-interest-space-clusters-infrastructure-fund-call-2/frequently-asked-questions
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:
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Increase the capability and capacity of UK space R&D infrastructure.
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Improve access to facilities and resources.
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Strengthen collaboration across the UK space ecosystem.
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Support regional growth and cluster development.
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Catalyse private investment.
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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. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. Who is my local cluster lead?
The following table shows contacts for UK Space Cluster Network