The European Union organises a major international R&D grants programme called Framework 7 (FP7). BNSC is organising an information day on the upcoming FP7 grants round for space applications (the first of its kind) totalling €1.43 billion over the duration of the programme:-

• FP7 Space Thematic Priority -- 16th July

Areas of interest to UK NewSpace groups include:-

2. Space transportation for space exploration

This theme is likely to address two distinct areas. The first is in-space propulsion supporting future exploration, encompassing conventional and novel propulsion but also including system analysis tools. The second is robotic transportation, in the sense of advanced robotic systems (e.g. rovers), in situ operations (e.g. sample acquisition) and in-orbit servicing and assembly for complex missions. BNSC would encourage proposals to the Commission that leverage existing UK investments (national and through ESA) and target missions of agreed UK interest.

3. Critical Space Technologies

In this theme, projects are expected to reduce the dependence on non-European supplied critical technologies as identified in the 2009 list of technologies for urgent actions from the Joint Task Force on Critical Technologies for European non-dependence. In addition, projects should enhance the technical capabilities and overall competitiveness of European space industry on the world wide market. As such, BNSC encourages proposals to the Commission that will help the UK meet the goal of maintaining and growing the UK share of the global space market.

Rocketeer comments: I have experience of the FP7 process through the Scientific Data Infrastructures call, and I may end up being involved in a grant application for the Space call. Don't get too excited, it wouldn't involve anything cool like propulsion or in-space infrastructure... :-p