Guidance

IBF Call 3 - Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 11 September 2026

OVERVIEW

What is the timetable for this round of the IBF?

The deadline for applications is 3pm on 4 November 2026. We anticipate the assessment to take place later during November and December, with successful applicants notified in February 2027. Projects will begin 1 April 2027 and must conclude by September 2028 at the latest.

 What themes are in and out of scope for funding?

All proposals will be assessed against the assessment criteria as outlined in the call guidance. No subsectors of the space economy or themes are out of scope for this call.

Can startups apply as well as established companies?

There are no restrictions on the type of organisation that can apply, provided it is a legally registered entity, can meet all eligibility and grant requirements, and successfully passes any due diligence, background, and compliance checks required as part of the assessment process.

NEW QUESTION What constitutes a UK-based company? Does the organisation need to have its headquarters in the UK?

The lead applicant must be registered with Companies House, maintain a physical registered office address in the UK, and operate as a distinct legal entity separate from its owners (if they are a subsidiary). Applicants should be able to demonstrate a substantive UK presence and that the proposed project will deliver clear benefits to the UK space sector.

NEW QUESTION Is UKRI considered one organisation, or would STFC, EPSRC and other UKRI councils be considered separately?

For the purposes of this call, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is considered a single organisation. Therefore, where limits apply to the number of applications from a lead organisation, applications led by any of the UKRI councils, such as STFC, EPSRC, NERC, MRC, BBSRC, AHRC, and ESRC, would be counted collectively under UKRI rather than as separate organisations.

Can companies outside of the space sector apply?

There are no restrictions on the type of organisation that can apply however you must be able to demonstrate how your work will meet the aims of the grants purpose.

COLLABORATION

Are there any restrictions about any type of organisations we can collaborate or partner with?

There is no restriction on the types of organisations that you can partner with. The only requirement is that one or more of the project partners must be based internationally.

NEW QUESTION Are any countries in or out of scope for IBF funding?

Applications involving partnerships with any country are eligible. We particularly encourage proposals that support collaboration with organisations in Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, and the USA, reflecting established UK space partnership priorities. However, we also welcome applications involving other countries, including emerging space nations, where there is a clear strategic rationale and strong alignment with IBF objectives. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed partnership will deliver benefits for both the UK and the partner country, and how it supports relevant space priorities and capabilities.

However, please note: proposals that may, in the view of the UK Space Agency, pose an unacceptable security risk or present a risk of sanctions violation, are not eligible.

NEW QUESTION Which countries would be classified as an ‘‘emerging space economies’’?

For the purposes of this call, “emerging space economies” refers to countries that are developing or expanding their national space capabilities, policies, and commercial space sectors. The UK Space Agency does not maintain a defined list of emerging space economies, and proposals will be considered on their merits, strategic alignment, and potential to support UK and partner country space objectives.

NEW QUESTION Can the ‘international partner’ be the same organisation as the lead organisation but a different legal entity, e.g. Company X UK lead with Company X Canada as an international partner?

This type of proposal is technically eligible. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully consider how the proposal delivers against Assessment Criterion 1 (International Partnerships), including the extent to which the collaboration creates additional value beyond an existing parent-subsidiary relationship.

Applications should clearly demonstrate the strategic rationale for the partnership, the unique benefits contributed by each partner, and how the collaboration will strengthen international relationships and deliver outcomes that would not be achievable through existing corporate structures alone. Proposals should articulate the value and additionality from both the UK and partner country perspectives and clearly show how they support the objectives and intended outcomes of the call.

Can a non-UK based organisation lead an application?

No. A UK organisation must lead any consortia put forward to ensure compliance with funding regulations, but funding can be distributed to international partners and subcontractors as appropriate.

Funding for international partners is capped at 20% of the overall UK Space Agency grant value and funding for subcontractors is also capped at 20% of the overall grant value.

Do I have to partner with an international space agency to be eligible for funding?

No. The call does not specify whether international partners should be supported financially by an International Space Agency or a foreign government body. IBF funding only requires that the UK lead for the project include international partners as part of their consortium.

Can partnerships have partners from multiple different countries?

Yes, although international partnership costs must be capped at 20% of the total grant value.

Are there minimum or maximum numbers of partners that can be in a project consortium?

No – we have set no requirements around the maximum number of partners, as long as they comply with the following guidelines:

A minimum of 20% of the grant funding must be claimed by the lead organisation. International partner costs should be capped at 20% of the total grant cost from the UK Space Agency.

NEW QUESTION Can multilateral project teams submit proposals to the call?

Yes. Proposals may include partners from multiple countries. Where a multilateral partnership is proposed, applicants should clearly explain the rationale for involving each partner and demonstrate the added value of both the bilateral relationships and the wider multilateral collaboration, including the benefits to project delivery, outcomes, and impact.

NEW QUESTION Does the limit of two funded projects apply per country or per specific partner organisation and how strict will UKSA be in implementing this?

UKSA’s current intention is to fund up to two projects per partner country, rather than per individual partner organisation. For example, we would ordinarily expect to fund no more than two projects involving partners from Canada, regardless of whether those projects involve different Canadian organisations.

This approach is intended to support a balanced portfolio of international collaborations and maximise the reach and impact of the programme across multiple partner countries.

However, this should not be viewed as a strict quota. UKSA will retain flexibility when making funding decisions and is committed to supporting the highest-scoring proposals wherever possible, taking into account assessment outcomes, strategic fit, value for money, and the overall balance of the portfolio. Where proposals involve partners from multiple countries, UKSA will consider the full collaboration and its strategic benefits as part of the funding decision.

SUB CONTRACTORS

Is there a difference between a partner and a sub-contractor?

Yes. If you are collaborating with another organisation or company, then they are your project partner and will be included in your proposal and subject to PV (private venture) contribution.

If you wish to sub-contract some work, then that organisation cannot be considered as a project partner. Subcontractor costs are capped at 20% of the overall grant value.

Subcontractors may be used where they provide specific expertise, services, or capabilities that support project delivery.

However, the lead applicant remains fully responsible for the management, performance, and delivery of all project activities, including those undertaken by subcontractors.

Applicants should clearly justify the need for any subcontracting arrangements, demonstrate value for money, and ensure that subcontracted activities comply with the requirements of the call and grant funding agreement.

NEW QUESTION How should subcontractors be managed within a project?

Subcontractor costs should be included within the budget of the project partner that is managing and procuring the subcontracted work. For example, if a UK project partner engages a subcontractor, the associated costs should be included within that UK partner’s budget. Similarly, if an international project partner engages a subcontractor, those costs should be included within the international partner’s budget. The project partner remains responsible for managing the subcontractor and ensuring delivery of the contracted activities.

Would sub-contractors have any IP publication rights?

The involvement of subcontractors does not automatically affect the intellectual property (IP) or publication rights of the lead organisation. However, the specific ownership and rights arrangements will depend on the agreements in place between the lead organisation, subcontractors, and any project partners.

It is the responsibility of the UK lead organisation to establish and manage appropriate IP, publication, and collaboration arrangements with all parties involved in the project. Applicants should ensure that any agreements clearly define the ownership, use, protection, and dissemination of project outputs and results.

The UK Space Agency does have requirements relating to project partnerships, including the expectation that appropriate collaboration agreements are in place. Applicants should therefore ensure that all IP and publication arrangements are addressed within these agreements and are consistent with the terms of the grant funding.

NEW QUESTION Are there any limits on organisations participating as non-lead partners in other projects?

No. The restriction applies only to organisations acting as the lead applicant, which may submit a maximum of one application. Organisations and individuals may participate in multiple proposals as project partners, subcontractors, or other consortium members, provided they can demonstrate the capacity and resources to fulfil all proposed commitments.

 What subsidy control rate should we use for subcontractors?

Subsidy control does not apply to subcontractors and are not therefore included in the subsidy control rates. Subcontractor costs should be listed as ‘additional costs’ for the lead organisation in the work package costs breakdown and be costed at 100%. No more than 20% of the overall funding should be distributed to subcontractors. The UK Space Agency will review applications to ensure that the status of project partners or subcontractors have been included appropriately.

Can we apply with only subcontractors as our proposed international partner?

No. All applications must include at least one international project partner, additional subcontractors can also be included. For clarity; project partners collaborate and contribute to the project and take some benefit from it; subcontractors are paid to provide a defined service on commercial terms. Applications will be reviewed to ensure entities have been included accordingly.

APPLICATIONS & EOIs

NEW QUESTION Is it possible to participate in call 3 if we did not do it in call 1 and 2?

Yes. The call is open to all organisations as long as you qualify under the conditions explained in the Call guidance document section 4. All successful proposals must meet the UK Space Agency’s eligibility criteria for grant funding.

Can I resubmit a proposal that was rejected in a previous UK Space Agency Call?

Yes, you may re-submit a proposal which will then go through the independent evaluation process again. Applications will then be scored against Call 3 criteria when being considered for funding. We recommend that any previous feedback is taken into consideration.

NEW QUESTION Is the EOI mandatory and does it have to be submitted through Flexigrant or by email?

No it is not mandatory but it will help us plan more efficiently for the assessment of applications if you do. The EOI form is an MS form to capture a very small amount of data to assist us with sourcing expert assessors once applications have been received. It is very small and will take you approximately 3-5 mins to complete therefore there will be no feedback on completed forms.

NEW QUESTION Should a lead organisation submit more than one EOI if it has more than one possible idea for the full proposal?

Yes. At the EOI stage, organisations may submit more than one EOI where they have multiple viable project concepts. We recognise that some organisations may not yet have completed their internal demand management process. However, applicants are encouraged to try to limit submissions wherever possible. Please note that restrictions on lead applicant submission apply at the full proposal stage.

Can we apply to multiple UK Space Agency funding calls with the same application?

Applicants can choose to do this but should note that each funding call has its own distinct objectives and scoring criteria will vary, so proposals that include the same content across multiple funding calls are unlikely to score highly. As outlined in the assessment criteria, the strongest proposals applying to IBF will demonstrate strong relevance to the objectives of international partners, which is distinct to this funding call. In the unlikely event that an application scores highly on two or more grant schemes, funding can only be granted through one UK Space Agency scheme.

Can an organisation submit multiple applications to the IBF, either as the lead organisation or as a partner in different consortia?

Owing to high levels of anticipated demand for this funding call, the UK Space Agency has taken the decision to restrict the number of applications to one per lead organisation (for the avoidance of doubt, this measure applies to all types of organisations, including industrial, academic and public sector research bodies). Where organisations submit more than one application where they are the lead entity, the UK Space Agency will accept the first and reject any further applications.

Individuals can be included as project partners or subcontractors, as relevant, in project team consortium in applications being led by other organisations.

How will my application be assessed?

Following eligibility checks, proposals will be scored against the published assessment criteria by reviewers. Initial reviews will cover assessment criteria 1 and 2 and only those proposals scoring 3/5 on both will continue to be assessed. Final funding recommendations will be made by an assessment panel, taking account of all available evidence. More information is available in section 6 of the call guidance.

NEW QUESTION Are certain types of organisations or consortium structures favoured in the assessment process? For example, is there a preference for academic partners, commercial entities, or mixed consortia?

No. There is no preference for a particular type of organisation or consortium structure. Proposals will be assessed on their ability to meet the published assessment criteria, including the strength of the international partnership, technical merit, strategic value, delivery credibility, and potential economic and wider benefits.

Applicants should assemble the partnership that is best suited to delivering the proposed project. Consortia may include commercial organisations, academic institutions, research and technology organisations, or a combination of these. The key consideration is that each partner has a clear role and adds value to the project objectives and outcome.

NEW QUESTION Will the call specification or assessment criteria change with the publication of this new strategy, or does this remain unchanged?

No. The publication of the new strategy will not result in any changes to the call specification or assessment criteria. Applications will be assessed against the criteria published in the call guidance.

Applicants are, however, encouraged to consider relevant recent UK Government, DSIT and UK Space Agency strategies and policy publications when developing their proposals. Demonstrating how a project supports wider UK priorities may help applicants articulate its strategic relevance and potential impact.

Should we provide Letters of Support?

Applications must include letters of support from project partners. Applications can also include letters of support from other stakeholders e.g. international space agencies or others where relevant.

MATCH FUNDING

What are the match funding requirements for this call?

This call is subject to the Subsidy Control Act 2022, and match funding requirements vary according to the size and type of lead organisation, as well as any activity being undertaken. Match funding requirements are set out in section 9 of the call guidance, and funds must be in place by 1 April 2027. For any clarifications, please email UKSA.ibf@dsit.gov.uk

Do the match funding contributions have to be immediately available when applying for funding?

Yes, the PV (private venture) funding must have been agreed and secured at the time of applying for the grant so that the project can commence as soon as the grant agreement has been completed. Matched funding should also be trackable and reported on across the duration of the grant.

Do we need to assess match funding requirements for our international partners?

Yes. As set out in the call guidance, match funding must be accurately provided by each member of the consortium, including international partners. Applications where the updated subsidy control guidance is not complied with, will not be considered for funding.

NEW QUESTION Can in-kind match funding be used as part of the match contribution?

Yes. In-kind contributions can form part of the required match funding. However, grant holders must be able to clearly quantify, evidence and track these contributions throughout the project to demonstrate that the match funding requirement has been met in line with subsidy control requirements and programme guidance.

NEW QUESTION Do all consortium members need to provide match funding?

Yes. All consortium members are expected to provide match funding for their share of the project costs. The required level of match funding will depend on the organisation’s size and type, in accordance with the applicable subsidy control guidance. Applicants should ensure that match contributions from all project partners are clearly identified and evidenced within the proposal. Please refer to section 9 of the IBF Call Guidance. Organisations can also provide additional match funding above the required subsidy rates.

Can we use different match funding thresholds?

No. These thresholds are set out in the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and the UK Space Agency has no authority to deviate from them.

GRANT FUNDING

NEW QUESTION What project costs are eligible for funding?

UK Space Agency grant funding can be used to cover a range of eligible project costs directly related to delivering the approved project, such as staff costs, travel and subsistence, equipment, subcontracting, consumables, and other justified project expenses. Funding is provided on a cost recovery basis and only eligible, evidenced costs can be claimed.

Applicants should review the IBF Call 3 guidance documentation for detailed information on eligible and ineligible costs, funding rates, and any specific requirements that apply to consortium members. Further guidance is also available in Find information on applying for grants from the UK Space Agency here.

NEW QUESTION Do Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) receive 100% grant funding?

Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) may receive up to 100% of their eligible project costs if the project relates to fundamental scientific research. The lead applicant is responsible for ensuring that all consortium members apply the correct funding rates.

NEW QUESTION How is grant funding paid to project teams?

Applicants should include all project costs in the Part B Proposal Form, along with a clear schedule of milestones, deliverables, and associated payment amounts. Funding is paid on a cost recovery basis, with payments linked to work completed and eligible costs incurred. Find out more.

Each milestone should have defined deliverables and acceptance criteria. Once UKSA has accepted the milestone and the lead grant holder has submitted the required invoice and supporting evidence of eligible costs, payment can be made to the lead organisation. Learn more here Applicants should ensure milestone values are proportionate to the work completed and costs incurred. Further information is available in the IBF Call 3 guidance documentation and UKSA’s grant funding guidance.

Should we explicitly state the overhead rate attached to salary costs, or would you prefer it to be amalgamated into a combined salary/overhead cost for each staff position?

The finance template includes notes on what information is required and how to complete the form.

Do labour costs relate only to staff on a PAYE payroll or would staff employed on short/long-term fixed contracts be eligible?

Costs should be applied for any staff that will be part of the project team/work regardless of employment status within the organisation. However, any costs for project work done by sub-contractors must be declared as a separate cost. Subcontractors cannot be included as project partners. Where subcontractors are proposed, applicants must provide a clear and robust justification for their use, including an explanation of why the required expertise or services cannot be delivered by the project partners.

NEW  QUESTION  How  does  the  15%  SME  subsidy  uplift  work?

Enterprises may receive a 15% uplift to the subsidy ratios where the project involves collaboration between enterprises, where at least one of the enterprises is an SME, or be-tween an enterprise and one or more research and knowledge dissemination organisation, which must have the right to publish its own research results. Academic partners on pro-jects led by enterprises will still be funded in all cases at 80% of full economic cost.

For the purposes of subsidy control, the following definitions are applicable:

• A small enterprise has an annual turnover below £10.2 million, a balance sheet total below £5.1 million and the average number of employees must not be more than 50
• A medium enterprise has an annual turnover below £36 million, a balance sheet total below £18 million and the average number of employees must be no more than 250
• A large enterprise has an annual turnover above £36 million, a balance sheet total above £18 million and the average number of employees is above 250
• To qualify, two of the three conditions in the above definition must be met.

Does the maximum grant award offered include the PV (private venture) contribution?

No, the maximum grant award is the award value UK Space Agency will provide to fund a successful project.

MISCELLANEOUS

NEW QUESTION Can project work be undertaken outside the UK, and are there any security, data, or cyber requirements that applicants should consider?

Yes. Project activities may be undertaken in both the UK and internationally where this is necessary to deliver the project and is consistent with the call requirements.

Applicants must carefully consider any requirements relating to national security, export control, intellectual property, data management, information sharing, and cyber security when developing their proposal. In particular, applicants should review and respond to the security-related questions and guidance included within the IBF Call 3 application documentation, ensuring they have identified and mitigated any relevant risks associated with international collaboration. Applicants should also familiarise themselves with the Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) Terms and Conditions, as successful projects will be expected to comply with all applicable requirements relating to security, legal compliance, data protection, project delivery, and the management of project partners throughout the grant period.

NEW QUESTION If applicants use AI for non-technical aspects of their proposal, what checks are conducted on the accuracy of claims and statements?

Applicants may use AI tools to support drafting, editing, or other non-technical aspects of their application. However, the lead applicant remains fully responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and validity of all information submitted. UKSA assessors will evaluate proposals based on the evidence provided and may seek clarification where required. Any inaccurate, misleading, unsubstantiated, or unverifiable claims may negatively affect assessment scores and could impact eligibility or funding decisions. Applicants should ensure that all AI-generated content has been thoroughly reviewed and validated before submission. Applicants are also required to declare where and how AI tools have been used in the proposals, please see section 5.10 International Bilateral Fund – Call 3.

NEW QUESTION What Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is IBF funding targeted at?

IBF is not targeted at a specific TRL range, and proposals can include a variety of research, development, demonstration, validation, and commercialisation activities. Applicants should focus on demonstrating a strong international partnership, clear strategic benefits, and a credible delivery plan. While projects at any TRL may be considered, proposals should clearly explain their pathway to economic impact and commercialisation, with a preference for delivering tangible commercial, capability, or market benefits as early as possible.

Is an independent audit required of the total cost of the project?

Yes, confirmation is required that the Grant Recipient has expended the sums for the period in which milestone payments have been claimed. For this purpose, a report must be completed and sent to the Grant Funder within 6 months of the end of the grant or annually, whichever is shorter. As per the terms of the Grant Funding Agreement, it is not possible to claim the cost of this report.

NEW QUESTION How can we and our project partners review the grant terms and conditions?

The Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) and associated terms and conditions are available to all applicants on the IBF Call 3 funding details page. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review these documents carefully with all project partners before submitting an application, as successful projects will be expected to comply with the requirements set out in the agreement.

What format will the grant agreement take, and can I adapt it?

We have provided a copy of our standard grant funding agreement as part of the grant guidance. This is the document that will be used as the formal mechanism for any successful bidders to receive grant funding. Applicants are required to accept the main terms of this grant funding agreement when submitting your application.

If applicants cannot accept the terms for legal or statutory reasons, they must identify the required changes at application stage by submitting a marked-up copy of the agreement with justification for each proposed amendment.