Notice

Guide to applying for ‘UK National Delegate’ support for the UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only

Published 4 March 2026

1. ARTES Programme

At CMIN25, the UK subscribed a total of £141.4m to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, reflecting our continued commitment to strengthening the UK’s satellite communications sector and supporting national priorities. to support the UK satellite telecommunications industry. This targeted allocation is designed to create new opportunities for UK-led innovation, growth, and collaboration in satellite communications and related technologies, working alongside our international partners. 

This is a commercially driven programme, designed to support UK businesses to deliver new technologies, products and services. The programme can cover development of components, systems or services, and any aspect or combination of the space, ground or network segments.

To apply under the ESA ARTES programme for funding, UK companies will first require approval for their proposal from their ‘National Delegate’. In the UK approvals are considered through various funding calls spread across the year. These fall into two categories: themed calls supporting specific technologies or general calls, for any eligible proposals.

This guidance details how to apply for ‘National Delegate’ support under the ‘UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only’ for satellite communication developments.

1.1 What is ARTES

The ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) programme is the European Space Agency’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. 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 within the call for proposals.

2. C-LEO Programme

2.1 What is the C-LEO Programme

The Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) Programme, launched in Autumn 2023 and is expected to run until the end of the 2029/2030 financial year, is a major UK initiative with a budget of up to £160 million. Its primary aim is to future-proof the UK’s competitive edge in the high-value satellite communications sector by supporting the country’s diversification into the rapidly growing, strategically important high-volume constellation market.

2.2 C-LEO Programme Objectives

The key objectives of the C-LEO Programme are:

• To accelerate the commercialisation and rapid industrialisation of key technologies and industry capabilities, enabling UK firms to meet the demands of high-volume constellation production.
• To help UK companies secure a significant and sustained share of high-value contracts expected over the next 4–5 years, shaping the future sector supply chain.
• To develop the UK’s onshore industrial capabilities in research and development-intensive activities across the constellation value chain.
• To catalyse private sector investment by signalling the UK’s long-term commitment to the growth of the satellite communications sector.

Through these efforts, the C-LEO Programme is designed to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of global satellite communications innovation and industrial capability.

2.3 Strategic Context

The National Space Strategy has set a vision to make the UK one of the world’s most innovative and attractive space economies. The UK Space Agency has an essential role in delivering this. We help the UK to harness the power of space to benefit our people, planet and shared prosperity, by: 

• Catalysing investment – supporting projects that multiply the value of non-government contracts and capital secured by the UK space sector.
• Delivering missions and capabilities that meet public needs and advance our understanding of the universe.
• Championing space – advocating for the sustainable use of space, encouraging other sectors to use space solutions, and inspiring people into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and careers.

To do this, we deliver an exciting portfolio of activities from helping companies to build space infrastructure and bring new services to market, to co-funding cutting edge research and reaching out to schools. 

2.4 Further Information

If you would like any further information, or have any questions or feedback about this guidance, please contact the team: telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.  

3. Call for Proposals: UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only

The title of this Call is “UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only”. 

3.1 Purpose of the Call

The “UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only” has been launched to accelerate the development and industrialisation of advanced satellite telecommunications technologies within the United Kingdom. This call is part of the UK Space Agency’s commitment to strengthening the UK’s position in the global Low Earth Orbit (LEO) supply chain and supporting the objectives of the National Space Strategy. The purpose of this call is to enable UK companies to seize emerging opportunities in the rapidly evolving satellite communications sector, which is being transformed by high-volume constellations and the demand for scalable, resilient infrastructure. Through this initiative, we aim to catalyse investment, foster innovation, and deliver long-term benefits to the UK economy and society. 

The “UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only” is designed to accelerate the development and industrialisation of advanced satellite telecommunications technologies for Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This call supports the UK Space Agency’s strategic objectives under the National Space Strategy by: 

• Driving innovation in satellite communications.
• Strengthening the UK’s position in the global LEO supply chain.
• Catalysing investment and creating long-term economic benefits for the UK space sector.

The call responds to rapid changes in the satellite communications market, including the rise of high-volume constellations and the need for scalable, resilient infrastructure. 

3.2 Call Objectives, Scope and Key Information

The primary objective of this call is to unlock growth in the UK space sector by supporting projects that advance innovative satellite communication technologies and strengthen the UK’s role as a science and technology superpower. This call aligns with the UK Space Agency’s strategic goals of developing resilient space capabilities and catalysing investment to deliver public benefit. By funding projects that demonstrate technical excellence and commercial viability, we aim to ensure that the UK remains competitive in the global market for LEO satellite communications.

Funding is available for projects that focus on one or more of the following key technology areas: 

• On-Board (Regenerative) Processing
• Active Antennas
• Optical Links
• Networking and Routing
• User Terminals

These projects should target starting technology readiness levels (TRL) between 4 and 5, with the ambition to progress to TRL 7 or higher by the end of the funded activity.  

Proposals should present a clear route to market, supported by robust business cases and credible plans for industrialisation. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong value for money, alignment with UK Space Agency strategic objectives, and the potential to deliver measurable economic benefits. All projects must comply with UK government policy on spectrum use and regulatory requirements. 

To monitor success, applicants should consider key performance indicators such as the level of match funding realised, new internal investment, total private investment generated, and full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs created or protected. These metrics will help the UK Space Agency assess the impact of funded projects and ensure alignment with the National Space Strategy. 

Important Information for Applicants:

• This call will close at midday on Monday 13 April 2026 – no extensions are permitted, and late applications will not be accepted.
• The minimum overall project value (including UK Space Agency and matched industrial funding) is £5,000,000.  
• Applications have a lower threshold of £3,000,000 of UK Space Agency funding that will need to be met for the project to be eligible for funding. This will be based on the UK Space Agency contribution to the project. 
• All proposals must be led by organisations based in the United Kingdom.
• Applications will be assessed against the assessment criteria outlined in Section 3.5 of this document.
• Questions or clarifications can be directed to telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk. The UK Space Agency will not respond to questions asking for applications to be reviewed ahead of the submission deadline.
• The UK Space Agency reserves the right to reject proposals if they are outside the call remit, do not contain all the required information or do not provide sufficient information for assessment.

3.3 Funding Envelope

The total funding envelope for this call is £30,000,000 of UK Space Agency funding, with each individual project expected to range from £5,000,000 upwards in total value (including UK Space Agency and matched industrial funding).  

Each funded project will have a lower threshold that will need to be met in order for the project to be eligible for funding. The lower threshold has been put in place to ensure we are able to support large scale, ambitious projects that meet the programme objective to accelerate industrialisation of the satellite communication sector in the UK.  

This will be based on the UK Space Agency contribution to the project and is set at a minimum of £3,000,000. This means the lower threshold of overall application (including UK Space Agency and matched industrial funding) will depend on the size of entity bidding for funding, with a higher matched funding rate allowed for SME’s and a lower matched funding rate for Large Businesses. Applicants can check the matched funding rates available at 3.6. 

Projects which request below the threshold will not proceed to Stage 2, and applicants should look for other more suitable funding opportunities. 

All projects must include a compelling element of matched funding to be eligible. Further details on matched funding and other eligibility requirements are contained in Section 3.6 of this guidance document.

3.4 Key Dates

• Call Opens (UK Space Agency Application Form is live): Wednesday 4 March 2026, midday (GMT)
• UK Space Agency Application Form Deadline: Monday 13 April 2026, midday (GMT)
• Notification of UK Space Agency Application Form Outcomes: By Friday 8 May 2026
• ESA Outline Proposal and UK Space Agency Annex Deadline: Friday 12 June 2026, midday (GMT)
• Notification of ESA Outline Proposal and UK Space Agency Annex Outcomes: By Friday 17 July 2026

3.5 Assessment Criteria

Applications for this funding Call will be assessed by the UK Space Agency with support from the European Space Agency.  No external assessors will be included within the review.

All proposals will be considered under two sets of criteria: one for Stage One (UK Space Agency Application Form only) and another for Stage Two (ESA Outline Proposal and UK Space Agency Outline Proposal Annex). Successful bids must demonstrate a successful balance across each set of criteria, but we reserve the right to consider proposals which are more weighted towards some than others.  

All proposals are considered in competition with other proposals received. We reserve the right to fund up to the funding level sought, or less, where we consider the need for the sum requested has not been sufficiently demonstrated. 

The criteria for Stage One are:

1. Strategic Fit: Applications should show a clear, high-level alignment with the strategic aims of the C-LEO Programme. Strong responses will indicate which key technology areas are targeted and outline how the proposal supports objectives such as accelerating industrialisation, securing high-value contracts, building UK onshore capabilities, and catalysing private investment.

2. Value for Money: Successful applications will provide a concise rationale for why UK Space Agency support is required and show that requested funding is proportionate to the scope of work. They will give confidence that public funds will be used effectively and represent good value for the taxpayer.

3. Catalyse Investment: Responses should present clear evidence of how the project will attract additional investment beyond its lifetime, including quantified estimates of market opportunities, competitiveness within a global market, future growth, job creation, and supply chain benefits.

Further detail on these criteria, including weighting, can be found in Appendix B.

The UK Space Agency criteria for Stage Two are:

1. Strategic Fit: Strong proposals will provide robust evidence of how the project advances the strategic objectives of the C-LEO Programme: accelerating commercialisation, securing high-value contracts, developing UK onshore capabilities, and catalysing private investment. Clear links to one or more key technology areas and wider Government priorities will be expected.

2. Value for Money: Detailed cost breakdowns should be provided. Successful applications will demonstrate that the budget is well planned and offers strong value for money.

3. Catalyse Investment: Responses should present clear evidence of how the project will attract additional investment beyond its lifetime, including quantified estimates of market opportunities, competitiveness within a global market, future growth, job creation, and supply chain benefits. Explaining calculation methods and showing how the project strengthens the UK’s global position will be critical.

4. Project Management: Applications should set out a robust delivery plan, including governance, risk management, and project controls. A clear timeline with milestones and dependencies, supported by a Gantt chart or similar, and details of resources, skills, and roles (including subcontractors or partners) will be expected.

5. Technical Feasibility: Proposals should demonstrate that the project is both innovative and technically achievable. Evidence of previous development work, research methodology, and plans for progression, along with references to engineering best practices or technology roadmaps, will provide confidence in feasibility. Current and target TRLs should be clearly stated with a credible plan for advancement.

6. Environmental: Applications should show how sustainability is embedded throughout the project lifecycle, including measures to minimise environmental impact and support wider environmental goals, such as space sustainability.

7. Benefits: Applications should provide a clear assessment of the expected benefits of UK Space Agency support, including economic impact, job creation, skills development, and any wider societal benefits. Demonstrating how these benefits will be tracked and reported throughout the project will strengthen the case.

Further detail on these criteria, including weighting, can be found in Appendix D.

The ESA criteria for Stage Two are:

1. Credibility of Business Plan: a) Credibility of the business opportunity in the market context, including sustainability in the commercial market without further institutional support. b) Improvement of global competitiveness in Satcom commercial markets.
2. Quality and completeness of the product definition and technical implementation: a) Product definition and development plan. b) Evaluation of technical risks and credibility of the risk mitigation actions. c) Verification and validation approach.
3. Adequacy of the implementation approach: a) List of hardware and software outcomes and deliverables. b) Schedule. c) Adequacy of available funding for the activity objectives and phases. d) Adequacy of the overall product development roadmap and expected funding
4. Adequacy of the bidding consortium: a) Completeness of the proposed consortium. b) Company/ies technical and commercial relevant experience in all areas of the proposed activities. c) Adequacy of the company resources with respect to the requested funding

3.6 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: 

Telecommunications

ARTES is a telecommunications programme. Although this may include projects that support other activities, they should be in the context of telecommunications. Activities that are primarily for another purpose, such as Earth Observation or climate monitoring, will not be supported.  

You can find details of other funding programmes for space on the UK Space Agency website. 

UK-based Organisations

To be considered for UK National Delegate support, organisations must be UK-based and, for commercial companies, must have a UK registration at Companies House. If you are considering moving to the UK, or you do not have a UK registration, you can seek further guidance from the team at telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk. 

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 initial application. Late requests will not be considered if they have not been declared and approved at Stage One. 

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-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%.

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.  

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 and are not dependent on a single high-risk or novel use of spectrum. 

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. 

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](https://connectivity.esa.int/how-apply/documents).

Registering with ESA

Successful applicants at Stage One will need to register their organisation on ESA-STAR (ESA’s System for Tendering and Registration) before proceeding to Stage Two. Further information on the registration process can be found here: ESA-Star Registration Process.

3.7 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 the online form specified in the guidance documentation. All bids will be held in confidence.
• Once the call closing date has passed, 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. 

4. How to Apply: UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only

4.1 When to Apply: Call and Delivery Timeline

The following schedule sets out the indicative timing of processes for this call. Please note that each deadline may be subject to change in the event of operational constraints.  

This call for proposals is open from Wednesday 4 March 2026 until Monday 13 April 2026. Proposals will only be considered if they are submitted within this period.

Stage		Deadline	Detail
Stage One – Call Opens	UK Space Agency Application Form Live	Wednesday 4 March 2026	Complete and submit the online UK Space Agency Application Form by the deadline.
	Deadline for UK Space Agency Application Form	Monday 13 April 2026, midday (GMT)	Complete and submit the online UK Space Agency Application Form by the deadline.
	Notification of Outcomes	By Friday 8 May 2026	Applicants will be notified of outcomes. Successful applicants are invited to the next stage.
Stage Two	Deadline for ESA Outline Proposal & UK Space Agency Outline Proposal Annex	Friday 12 June 2026, midday (GMT)	Applicants are invited to complete and submit the ESA Outline Proposal and UK Space Agency Outline Proposal Annex via the ESA OSIP Portal by the deadline.
	Notification of Outcomes	By Friday 17 July 2026	Applicants will be notified of outcomes. Successful applicants are invited to the next stage.
Stage Three	Indicative Deadline for ESA Full Proposal submission to UK Space Agency	By Friday 25 September 2026, midday (GMT)	Applicants are invited to complete and submit the ESA Full Proposal via the ESA OSIP Portal by the deadline.
	Indicative UK Space Agency review Full Proposal submission and Issue Authorisation of Funding Letter	By Friday 2 October 2026	UK Space Agency will review all documents and raise any questions or comments. Once approved, UK Space Agency will issue the Authorisation of Funding Letter.
Stage Four	Indicative Deadline for ESA Full Proposal submission to ESA	By Monday 5 October 2026	Applicants should submit their Full Proposal, including the UK Space Agency Authorisation of Funding Letter, to ESA.
	ESA review Full Proposal submission and, once approved, start negotiations	By Monday 2 November 2026	ESA will review all documents and raise any questions or comments. ESA will engage with the applicant to ensure their proposal meets all relevant criteria and is technically feasible.
	Indicative Contracting Date	By Monday 30 November 2026	Once negotiations are complete, ESA will enter contract negotiations with the applicant.
Stage Five	Project Kick-Off	By Monday 4 January 2027	Applicants should commence their projects.

A live applicant webinar will not be held for this Call. Instead, a pre‑recorded presentation will be made available on the Call webpage, covering the Call objectives, assessment criteria and timelines. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review this presentation alongside the FAQ document (see Appendix A), which provides further clarification on common queries. If any queries remain, applicants may contact the UK Space Agency via the Telecoms mailbox (telecoms@ukspaceagency.gov.uk).

ESA is the responsible party for inviting applicants to complete a Full Proposal. Suggested dates for Steps 3, 4 and 5 may be subject to change.

4.2 How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

This Call is run in coordination with ESA, who will support the review of applications. The application process for the UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only is structured to guide applicants through a series of clear stages, each with specific requirements and deadlines. Below is an overview of each stage, with key actions highlighted for clarity:

Stage One: UK Space Agency Application Form

• Applicants should begin by completing and submitting the online UK Space Agency Application Form by midday (GMT) on Monday 13 April 2026. Please note that the UK Space Agency Application Form can be accessed via the following link: UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only Application Form (Stage 1).
• You are welcome to submit more than one UK Space Agency Application Form if necessary. However, we encourage you to prioritise quality over quantity, as each submission requires time and effort to review. Please note that any submissions considered vexatious will not be taken forward.
• After the UK Space Agency Application Form deadline, all applicants will be notified of the outcome by Friday 8 May 2026. Successful applicants will be invited to proceed to the next stage. If you are not successful, you may receive feedback on the reasons why.
• Note: You must submit an UK Space Agency Application Form by 12:00 (GMT) Monday 13 April 2026. If you do not, your proposal will not be considered.

Stage Two: ESA Outline Proposal & UK Space Agency Outline Proposal Annex

• Invited applicants must complete and submit both the ESA Outline Proposal and the UK Space Agency Outline Proposal Annex via the ESA OSIP Portal by midday (GMT) on Friday 12 June 2026. These applicants will have received a link to the relevant ESA OSIP Portal in the outcome issued at Stage One.
• Forms not submitted via the online ESA OSIP Portal will not be considered.
• Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of experts from UK Space Agency and ESA.
• Notification of outcomes will be sent by Friday 17 July 2026. Successful applicants will move forward to the next stage.
  • 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.
• Note: You must submit your completed ESA Outline Proposal and UK Space Agency Outline Proposal Annex documents to the ESA OSIP Portal by midday (GMT) on Friday 12 June 2026. If you do not, your proposal will not be considered.

Stage Three: ESA Full Proposal Submission to the UK Space Agency

• Applicants progressing to this stage must submit their ESA Full Proposal to the UK Space Agency by midday (GMT) on Friday 25 September 2026.

• ESA will be responsible for setting a deadline for your Full Proposal and this deadline may be subject to change.

• 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 by Friday 2 October 2026.
• Note: You must submit your completed ESA Full Proposal to the UK Space Agency by midday (GMT) on Friday 25 September 2026. If you do not, your proposal may not be considered.

Stage Four: ESA Full Proposal Submission to the European Space Agency (ESA)

• Applicants should submit their ESA Full Proposal, including the UK Space Agency Authorisation of Funding Letter, to ESA by Monday 5 October 2026.
• ESA will review the submission, raise any questions, and begin negotiations if the proposal is approved.
• Contract negotiations are expected to be completed by Monday 30 November 2026. However, these negotiations are subject to a number of factors which may delay your application.
• Note: You must submit your completed ESA Full Proposal to the European Space Agency by midday (GMT) on Monday 5 October 2026. If you do not, your proposal may not be considered.

Stage Five: Project Kick-Off

• Once contracting is complete, successful applicants should commence their projects by Monday 4 January 2027.

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 activities outside the scope of this Call, we recommend waiting for one of our General 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 both the Call title (‘UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only’) and your unique UK Space Agency Reference Number in the subject line.
• ESA Outline Proposal and UK Space Agency Outline Proposal Annex applications should be in single-spaced typescript (minimum font size 12-point Arial, minimum 1.5 cm margins all round, including diagrams and tables). Where a template is specified, this must be unaltered. Should any part of the application overrun the specified page limit, including the submission of appendices outside those requested, we will only consider material up to the designated page limit that is in the correct format.

5. Additional Information

5.1 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. 

5.2 Call Documents

The full list of documents for the “UK Space Agency C-LEO Call-2: ARTES Only” are as follows: 

• UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only Application Form
• ESA Outline Proposal
• ESA Financial Forecast Workbook
• UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2: ARTES Only Outline Proposal Annex
• ESA Full Proposal (including all PSS Forms)

In addition, applicants should read and understand the following guidance documents: 

• Guidance for UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2 ARTES Only Application Form (see Appendix C)
• Guidance for ESA Outline Proposal (can be found on ESA’s website here)
• Guidance for ESA Financial Forecast Workbook (can be found on ESA’s website here)
• Guidance for UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2 ARTES Only Outline Proposal Annex (see Appendix E)
• Guidance: ESA Full Proposal (can be found on ESA’s website here)

All guidance notes should be read before completion of the application form. 

5.3 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, including the timetable, 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. 

5.4 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.

6. Appendices

6.1  Appendix A – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

See Appendix A.

6.2 Appendix B – Stage One Criteria

See Appendix B.

6.3 Appendix C – Guidance for UK Space Agency C-LEO Call 2 ARTES Only Application Form

See Appendix C.

6.4 Appendix D – Stage Two Criteria

See Appendix D.