UK Space Agency launches funding to address economic and environmental challenges

The UK Space Agency has awarded ten small and medium sized enterprises and research organisations with funds to help develop international partnerships and tackle economic, societal and environmental issues using satellite technology.

The Agency is awarding the funds through its International Partnership Programme (IPP), which is designed to partner UK space expertise with overseas governments and organisations.

The IPP is part of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), which aims to support research and innovation that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries.

The ten SMEs and research organisations have been given a total of £338k to use to establish partnerships in countries including Zambia, Ethiopia and Vietnam.

Once the partnerships have been formed, the SMEs can then develop proposals which will then go to the IPP Call 2 to secure further funding to make the plans a reality.

Earlier this year IPP Call 1 saw £70m in funding given to projects in partnership with the UK space industry, applying satellite solutions to a range of areas such as deforestation, illegal fishing, marine pollution, disaster recovery, drought and flooding.

Call 2 for funding will close on 5 September 2017. The assessment is due to take place in October 2017 and projects are set to be rolled out by the end of the year.