Guidance

Guide to applying for a Contract Change Notice for an existing ARTES Activity 

Updated 1 April 2026

1. ARTES Contract Change Notice (CCN) 

To apply for a contract change notice for the European Space Agency (ESA) Advanced Research in Telecommunication Systems (ARTES) programme, all UK contract holders will first require approval for their proposal from the UK National Delegate.  

This guidance details how to apply for ‘UK National Delegate’ support for a Contract Change Notice for an existing UK Space Agency-funded ARTES activity for satellite communication developments. The limit of this guidance is proposals up to a value of £850,000 of UK Space Agency funding. With one Contract Change Notice per activity being eligible for this approach.  

Activities over this value or multiple Contract Change Notices will need to wait for the next competitive call.

1.1. What is ARTES? 

The ARTES programme is ESA’s flagship initiative for satellite communications innovation. Through ARTES, ESA works with its Member States and industry to develop advanced technologies, services, and applications that keep Europe competitive in the global satcom market.  

For the UK, ARTES is a strategic mechanism to drive growth in space-based telecoms, strengthen national capabilities, and secure high-value industrial opportunities. It supports UK priorities such as integration of satellite systems with terrestrial networks (including 5G and beyond), enabling resilient connectivity for remote communities, and fostering partnerships that attract inward investment. UK participation in ARTES ensures our industry remains at the forefront of emerging markets like LEO constellations, optical communications, and secure connectivity, while contributing to wider European objectives. 

1.2. What is National Delegate Support 

Applicants must demonstrate national support prior to applying to ESA for any contract or contract change, even if they have no increase in funding (also known as zero-cost). This is called ‘National Delegate support’, as the UK delegates its national support to a named member of staff within the UK Space Agency. This guidance is designed to set out the process for applying for National Delegate support for existing ESA ARTES activities.

2. Contract Change Notice 

2.1. Purpose of a Contract Change Notice 

A Contract Change Notice is required when the scope, cost, schedule, partners, or expected benefits of an existing ESA ARTES activity need to change. Typical reasons include technical issues, supplier or partner changes, cost variations, or opportunities that increase benefits. 

2.2. When a Contract Change Notice Is Required 

A Contract Change Notice is needed where changes materially affect scope, milestones, deliverables, partners, non‑UK expenditure, or the risk/benefits profile of an existing ESA ARTES activity.  

2.3. Assessment Criteria 

Applications for ARTES Contract Change Notices will be assessed by the UK Space Agency with support from the European Space Agency.  No external assessors outside of these two organisations will be included within the review. 

All proposals will be considered under the following five criteria.

Strategic Fit: To score strongly, companies must provide clear, specific, and evidenced justification of how the updated activity continues to deliver strategic value for the UK satellite communications sector. High‑scoring Contract Change Notices make it easy for UK Space Agency assessors to see: 

• why continued support is important,  
• what changes improve sector outcomes, and  
• how the revised activity strengthens UK capability. 

Value for Money: To score strongly, companies must provide clear, specific, and evidenced justification of why the updated activity represents efficient use of public money and why continued UK Space Agency support is the minimum necessary to deliver outcomes that matter for the UK satellite communications sector.  

High‑scoring Contract Change Notices make it easy for UK Space Agency assessors to see: 

a. why additional funding is genuinely required,  b. how the revised cost profile is proportionate, and  c. why the Contract Change Notice delivers better value than alternative options. 

Catalyse Investment: To score strongly, companies must provide clear, specific, and evidenced justification of how the updated activity will unlock new commercial value, strengthen market position, and increase the likelihood of future private or international investment in the UK satellite communications sector. 

High‑scoring Contract Change Notices make it easy for UK Space Agency assessors to see: 

a. what new commercial opportunities arise as a result of the Contract Change Notice,  b. why the Contract Change Notice meaningfully increases the project’s commercial potential, and  c. how the Contract Change Notice reduces risk and improves investor or customer confidence. 

Project Management: To score strongly, companies must provide clear, structured, and evidence‑based justification showing that the updated activity remains fully deliverable, well‑managed, and properly controlled. High‑scoring Contract Change Notices make it easy for UK Space Agency assessors to see:  a. how the revised plan will be delivered,  b. how risks will be effectively managed,  c. why the Contract Change Notice is not caused by poor project management, and  d. why the updated approach gives strong confidence in delivery to time, cost and quality. 

Technical Feasibility: To score strongly, companies must provide clear, specific, and evidenced justification that the updated technical work remains credible, deliverable, and appropriate, and that the Contract Change Notice directly improves the technical success of the project. High‑scoring Contract Change Notices make it easy for UK Space Agency & European Space Agency assessors to see: 

a. what technical work is changing and why,  b. how the revised approach is technically sound, and  c. how the Contract Change Notice reduces technical uncertainty or risk while increasing TRL readiness and verification confidence. 

The European Space Agency will assess your proposal against their respective criteria. Please consult your ESA Technical Officer for further guidance.

2.4. Eligibility Requirements 

Please check the ESA guidance on eligibility criteria under the ARTES Programme. In addition to this, UK Space Agency will apply the following eligibility criteria for Contract Change Notices:  

2.4.1. Funding Limit for the Contract Change Notice process 

To provide clarity and predictability for companies, the UK Space Agency has set a clear eligibility threshold for Contract Change Notices. Contract Change Notices can be supported up to a maximum value of €850,000 through this delegated approval process designed to keep minor changes moving at pace 

Any request above £850,000 must instead be brought forward through a competitive call, rather than via the Contract Change Notice process. This ensures that larger funding decisions are made transparently and competitively, giving all eligible organisations the opportunity to bid.  

For industry, this means Contract Change Notice s should only be used for targeted, proportionate adjustments, while more substantial extensions or new work packages will be considered through open competition to ensure fairness and value for money across the sector. 

2.4.2. Number of Contract Change Notice requests per UK entity 

To ensure fairness, consistency, and the efficient use of public funding, the UK Space Agency will limit each activity to a single Contract Change Notice request that can be approved outside a competitive process. Only one Contract Change Notice per existing activity may be considered under this route; any further requests, or any Contract Change Notice exceeding the £850,000 threshold, must instead be brought forward through a full competitive call, ensuring transparent access for industry and alignment with UK Space Agency’s commitment to running open, fair and strategically‑driven competitions. 

2.4.3. Essential Non-UK Spend Requests  

Products and services from non-UK suppliers that are considered essential to deliver successful projects, may be included in proposals. However, all proposals must demonstrate their value to the UK and non-UK spend requests are unlikely to score highly against other, UK-based activities. Any non-UK spend requests should be clearly stated in your Contract Change Notice application form. 

2.4.4. Match-Funding  

ESA eligibility on match funding states companies can apply for up to 80% funding for programmes, whereas in the UK two funding limits are available depending on the size of the company applying:  

1. For all large or non-small, medium enterprise (SME) companies, including companies who are wholly owned by large companies or groups of companies, or for SMEs undertaking very high-value programmes – up to 50%.  

2. For all other SME companies and activities – up to 75%.  
3. For Universities, Research Institutes, and Public Sector Entities whose work as subcontractor is requested, justified, and supervised by the Industry consortium, and provided they do not retain any commercial (i.e. financial) interest in the future exploitation of the final product or service, and their funding does not exceed 30% of the total allowable cost - up to 100%. 
4. For Universities and Research Institutes pursuant to the previous paragraph, which have a demonstrated commercial interest in the future exploitation of the final product or service - up to 75%. 

However, all matched funding decisions remain at the discretion of the UK Space Agency and rates will be applied to individual organisations relative to their individual projects.   

2.4.5. Regulation, Licensing and Spectrum Use and Filing  

The UK Space Agency will not fund licensing or regulatory compliance activities, either in the UK or overseas. 

We expect to see a viable approach to spectrum use in projects and we will not fund activities that are not supported by current UK Government policy. Where activities involve the novel use of spectrum, we will expect to see evidence of engagement with relevant regulators which demonstrates programmes are viable.  

2.4.6. Travel and Subsistence  

The following outlines the guidelines for travel and subsistence costs. Value for money must always be considered. The UK Space Agency will only support reasonable travel and subsistence costs. No claims for alcohol or entertainment will be accepted.   

All projected expenditure must be recorded in the relevant ESA proposal. The UK Space Agency reserves the right not to support projects where costs appear excessive, and any challenges may delay your application to ESA.   

The following expenditures are ineligible:  

• Marketing activity and conference attendance. 

• Payment that supports lobbying or activity intended to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, Government or political parties, or attempting to influence the awarding or renewal of contracts and grants or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action.  

• Using contract funding to petition for additional funding.  

• Payments for activities of a political or exclusively religious nature.  

• Licensing or regulatory compliance activities, either in the UK or overseas, including spectrum filings.  

• Goods or services that the Contract Recipient has a statutory duty to provide.  

• Payments reimbursed or to be reimbursed by other public or private sector contracts or grants.  

• Gifts to individuals.  

• Entertaining (entertaining for this purpose means anything that would be a taxable benefit to the person being entertained, according to current UK tax regulations).  

• Employee paid benefits and bonuses.  

• Alcohol.  

If you are in any doubt about what is reasonable you should contact the team.  

2.4.7. Exchange Rates 

Successful applications under the ESA-administered ARTES contracts route will need to comply with the ESA requirements highlighted in the Financial Proposal. Further information can be found on ESA’s website here: Documents: ESA CSC.

2.5. Confidentiality 

The procedure for handling and assessing the applications for project funding will be as follows:   

• Completed applications must be submitted to the UK Space Agency via telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk . All bids will be held in confidence.   

• Once submitted, electronic copies of all eligible documents will be distributed to the independent assessment panel members. UK Space Agency confidentiality rules will apply.   

• For those bids not recommended by the panel for funding, documentation will be retained by the UK Space Agency and European Space Agency for reference. The proposals will not be visible to any others, and the names of any unsuccessful bidders will not be published.  

• Information submitted for those projects selected for funding will be retained by UK Space Agency and European Space Agency but remain confidential.   

• Summary information about the projects selected for funding may be published on the UK Space Agency website.   

The European Space Agency, on behalf of the UK Space Agency, will monitor the funded project through project reports and the submission of project deliverables. The Agency requests that any confidential information is clearly marked Commercial in Confidence.

3. How to Apply: UK Space Agency ARTES Contract Change Notices

3.1. When to Apply 

This Contract Change Notice process will remain in place until November 2028. Proposals (limit to one per activity) may be submitted at any point within this period.  

3.2. How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide 

This Call is run in coordination with ESA, who will support the review of applications. Below is an overview of each stage, with key actions highlighted for clarity:

Stage One: UK Space Agency Contract Change Notice Application Form 

• Applicants should begin by completing and submitting the UK Space Agency Contract Change Notice application form. The form can be found online - UK Space Agency ARTES Contract Change Notice Application Form – Fill in form 

• After submission to the UK Space Agency, submissions will be reviewed by a panel of experts from the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency. 

• All applicants will be notified of the outcome after 20 working days from submission. Successful applicants will be invited to proceed to the next stage.  

• If you are not successful, you will receive feedback on the reasons why.   

• You should not contact the team before this date and any enquiries may not be dealt with until after this date. We reserve the right to extend this date if required.

Stage Three: ESA Contract Change Notice Submission to the UK Space Agency 

• Applicants progressing to this stage must submit their ESA Full Proposal to the UK Space Agency within 20 working days of the outcome.  

• The UK Space Agency will review the proposal to ensure it aligns with the original support provided. If approved, an Authorisation of Funding Letter will be issued 

• Note: You must submit your completed ESA Full Proposal to the UK Space Agency. If you do not, your proposal will not receive National Delegate support.

Stage Four: ESA Contract Change Notice submission 

• Applicants should submit their ESA Full Proposal, including the UK Space Agency Authorisation of Funding Letter, to ESA within two working days of receiving the UK Space Agency Authorisation of Funding Letter.  

• ESA will review the submission, raise any questions, and begin negotiations if the proposal is approved. 

• Contract negotiations are subject to a number of factors which may delay your application. 

Stage Five: Contract Change Notification Implementation 

• Once contracting are complete, successful applicants should commence their additional activities.  

Throughout each stage, applicants are encouraged to: 

• Ensure all forms and supporting documents are submitted via the correct portals and by the specified deadlines. 

• Remain proactive in seeking clarification and ensure all information provided is accurate and complete. 

Important Information for Applicants: 

• This new approach is designed to help successful applicants progress at pace. If your proposal is not ready for this timeframe, or if you are seeking funding for a Contract Change Notice outside the eligibility of this process, we recommend waiting for one of our Competetive Calls, which will be announced in due course. 

• We expect you to stay in touch throughout the life of the programme, from contracting to completion. We expect to publicise most funding awards in coordination with winning applicants and to be kept informed of any changes or developments for the duration of the project. This ensures we can support you if any adjustments are needed.  

• Only the lead organisation should submit an application. It is the lead organisation’s responsibility to ensure that all required information is complete and accurately submitted before the deadline.    

• Any correspondence, or additional documentation that has explicitly been requested by the UK Space Agency, should be sent to the Telecommunications Team at telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk quoting ARTES CCN and your unique UK Space Agency Reference Number in the subject line.

4. Additional Information 

4.1. Complaints  

If you are unhappy with either the outcome of your application or how the process was managed, or for any other reason, you can make a complaint by contacting the team at telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk. Please set out the nature of your complaint in detail. The team will try to resolve a complaint in the first instance but, if resolution is not possible, we will refer it to the UK Space Agency central complaints process, where it will be independently assessed.  

4.2. Relevant Documents  

The full list of documents for the “UK Space Agency ARTES Contract Change Notice Process” are as follows:  

• UK Space Agency ARTES Contract Change Notice - Microsoft Form 

• ESA Full CCN Proposal (including all PSS Forms) - Provided by ESA Technical Officer.

4.3. Assessment of Applications  

Completed application forms will be assessed by the UK Space Agency with the support of the European Space Agency.  

Applicants may be asked for further evidence or clarifications after their application has been submitted.  

The UK Space Agency reserves the right in its absolute discretion to:  

• Waive or change the requirements of this funding opportunity from time to time through a formal amendment, initiated by the Agency;  

• Seek clarification in respect of a participant’s proposal;  

• Disqualify any participant that does not submit a compliant proposal in accordance with the instructions in this funding opportunity;  

• Disqualify any applicant that is guilty of misrepresentation in relation to its proposal or the proposal process;  

• Withdraw this funding opportunity at any time, or to re-invite proposals on the same or any alternative basis;  

• Disqualify applicants where support may conflict with the government’s foreign policy and international commitments or may pose a threat to national security;  

• Choose not to support any proposal as a result of the proposal review process and the findings of due diligence (including sound financial management).  

To achieve the programme’s objectives, we will fund a balanced portfolio of high-scoring projects across a variety of technologies.  

4.4. Additional requirements  

• The UK Space Agency will not fund licensing or regulatory compliance activities, either in the UK or overseas.  

• Projects must comply with the rules stated in this guidance document both during the pre-award and post-award delivery period.