UK Space Agency opens £4.5m call to run ESERO-UK education programme
The UK Space Agency has invited proposals to deliver ESERO-UK, the European Space Education Resource Office in the UK. The call was published on 9 November 2026 and covers the financial years 2027/28 to 2029/30.
The agency, which is part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology, is working with the European Space Agency (ESA). It is looking for a consortium to run a UK-wide programme that uses space as a context for learning and gives young people the chance to explore space science, technology and its applications, and to pursue careers in the sector.
Funding on offer
The UK Space Agency intends to award up to £4.5 million over the three financial years. ESA expects to provide up to €750,000 (about £638,700) over the same period, subject to separate contract negotiations. Together, the co-funding envelope is about £5,138,700 from April 2027 to March 2030.
Applicants are asked to submit proposals for the full combined envelope. The UK Space Agency grant and the ESA funding will be secured through separate processes.
Programme objectives
- Support the future space sector skills pipeline by helping young people aged 4 to 19 build interest, confidence, skills and understanding of space, and make informed choices about subjects, qualifications, skills pathways and careers.
- Improve equity, inclusion and diversity in the future space workforce by widening access to space education and enrichment for young people who are underrepresented in STEM and space careers or who face barriers to participation.
- Strengthen the capability and confidence of educators and other influencers to use space as a context for learning, enrichment and careers activity.
ESERO-UK sits within the agency's Education and Future Workforce programme, which aims to address workforce challenges in the space sector and build the future talent pipeline through activities across schools, colleges, and community, cultural and social settings.
Supporting material for the call includes assessment criteria, call guidance and frequently asked questions, all of which have been updated, along with a link to a grant call webinar.
Source: UK Space Agency · Image: Pixabay