The General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) is a European Space Agency (ESA) programme that advances new and emerging space technologies, with the UK acting as a major contributor. GSTP covers all technology projects (with the exception of Telecoms payloads). As part of the UK’s involvement, the programme provides significant financial support to UK entities across multiple activity types, enabling UK organisations to progress technologies from early development through to in‑orbit demonstration.
Its objectives include:
- Developing technologies that support ESA and national missions
- Strengthening UK and European industrial competitiveness
- Fostering innovation
- Enhance Europe’s technological autonomy and secure access to European sources for critical technologies
- Promoting the spin‑in of non‑space technologies to enhance future mission capabilities
The GSTP Open Innovation route is for technology development proposals that come directly from industry or research organisations, rather than from ESA’s predefined lists of activities (Compendia). They offer a flexible route for UK entities to put forward their own ideas for developing and maturing space technologies that address emerging needs or market opportunities, enabling industry‑driven innovation. Please note, co-funding is not required from academic institutions for all Open Innovation Routes.
Open call
There are two areas open to initial applications:
- De-risk framework activities (starting at TRL 3+, costs up to €250k in phase 1, up to 9 months, with further funding available in phase 2 and 3 by invitation following phase 1 completion)
- Element 1 – Building Block Framework (starting at TRL 3+, costs up to €1m, up to 18 months, stand-alone activities)
See below for further details of both of these areas.
There are also invitation-only calls for higher-TRL innovations (contact the GSTP team to discuss an application and potentially receive an invitation to apply) and ESA (European Space Agency) calls for specific topics: both are summarised below.
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Proposals and bids may be submitted either by individual organisations or by consortia drawn from across industry, with or without the involvement of academic institutions. Consortia may also include companies or organisations from other ESA Member States. When a consortium includes a participant from another Member State(s), the organisation must secure the support of its respective national delegate for their element of the proposal/bid.
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These activities are designed to help organisations address early obstacles in their technology development, offering a flexible, phased route to mature ideas before moving on to larger, more complex work. Activities can progress in up to three phases, starting with a De-risk (Phase 1) activity, followed by optional Continuation phases (Phases 2 and possibly Phase 3) if further development is justified.
De-risk (Phase 1) activities
These:
- Are smaller, focused projects
- Remove technical uncertainties or barriers
- Are tightly scoped and do not allow Change Control Notices (CCNs)
- Offer up to €200k in UK Space Agency support
- Are capped at €250k
- Require a minimum of 20% co-funding
- Must start at TRL 3 or above
- Must be completed within 9 months
- Can request a Continuation (Phases 2 and/or 3) when the work is ready to progress, in conjunction with the endorsement of the ESA Technical Officer (ESA TO)
- Must be submitted through during the dedicated Open Innovation Framework Calls before the published deadlines.
De-risk (Continuation Phase 2 & 3) activities
These larger follow-on activities will only be considered if Phase 1 has been successfully concluded; funding is not guaranteed. They are usually capped at €2 million, require 50% co-funding, and should begin at TRL 4 or above.
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The Building Block Framework supports organisations developing enabling technologies or key components that build the core capabilities needed for future space systems and sub‑systems.
Key information:
- Unlike the De-risk pathway, these activities are standalone and not part of a multiphase structure.
- The UK Space Agency can provide up to €500k of support per activity, covering up to 80% of eligible costs.
- Projects may have a total value of up to €1 million, but the UK Space Agency’s contribution will not exceed €500k.
- All activities must begin at TRL 3+
- Projects must be delivered within 18 months
- These projects are tightly scoped and do not allow Change Control Notices (CCNs).
- Applications can only be submitted through the dedicated Open Innovation Framework Calls before the published deadlines.
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Applications for elements 2 and 3 are by invitation only following an initial discussion with the UK GSTP Team; please contact them via GSTP@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.
- Element 2 – Make: TRL 4+, any duration, applicants can request an indicative amount of up to €1 million in UK support, with an indicative maximum activity size of €2 million. All activities require 50% co-funding.
- Element 3 – Fly: activities usually start at TRL 5+ and can progress to TRL 9 through full space environment validation. Projects may run for any duration, with an indicative maximum activity size of up to €3 million and up to €1.5 million in UK Space Agency support. 50% co-funding is required.
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In addition to the Open Innovation call detailed here, ESA Initiated Activities (Compendia) are predefined, strategically selected technology development opportunities published by ESA under GSTP Element 1. They form a structured workplan aligned with long-term priorities such as the ESA Strategy 2040 and the ESA Technology Vision 2040, giving industry and academia a clear roadmap of the technologies ESA plans to develop. Each Compendia release contains a portfolio of topics. The 2026-2028 Compendia includes 202 activities spanning areas such as generic technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalisation, quantum technologies and cybersecurity. Click here for a complete list of ESA topics which are open to UK applicants. Bids for these activities should be submitted separately via ESA.
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The following information sessions are available:
GSTP Information Sessions – Processes and Procedures
- 23 March 2026, 11:00 – 11:45
- 8 April 2026, 10:00 – 11:00
- 15 April 2026, 15:00 – 16:00
- 20 April 2026, 11:00 – 12:00
- 1 May 2026, 11:00 – 12:00
- 8 May 2026, 15:00 – 16:00
GSTP Open Innovation Framework – Application Guidance
- 23 March 2026, 15:30 – 16:30
- 8 April 2026, 15:00 – 15:45
- 15 April 2026, 10:00 – 10:45
- 20 April 2026, 14:00 – 14:45
- 1 May 2026, 14:00 – 14:45
- 8 May 2026, 10:00 – 10:45
Please email GSTP@ukspaceagency.gov.uk with your preferred session to reserve your place. The sessions will be held on Microsoft Teams.
You can also contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Space team for advice.
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- ESA Initiated Activities (Compendia Activities), applications should be made directly through the ESA procurement platform (ESA star) for ITTs which are supported by the UK up to the financial level indicated. The list of these activities can be found here.
- Element 1 De-Risk (Phase 1) and Building Block Framework applications, must be submitted using the Statement of Interest Microsoft form within the relevant call windows. (Failure to provide full and accurate information in the application form will result in the proposal being rejected and will not progress to Stage 1 for review by the panel.)
- De-Risk Continuations, Element 2 and Element 3 applications, please contact the GSTP team at GSTP@ukspaceagency.gov.uk to initiate a discussion regarding an application.