Pivot into Space: Rapid R&D Grants and Expert Support from Space Scotland
Overview
Pivot into Space is a programme to help non-space companies to develop technologies for the space industry, unlock commercial opportunities, and accelerate cross-industry innovation in supply chains. We especially encourage applications from companies in advanced manufacturing, robotics, photonics, life sciences, and other adjacent sectors to apply their technology to the space industry and/or its supply chain. The Scotland-specific Pivot programme, part-funded by the UK Space Agency (UKSA), is based on the successful Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA) model.
Companies can apply to carry out Sprint R&D Projects and receive a grant of up to £25,000 at a 50-70% intervention rate, dependent on company size.
| Size | Turnover (max) | Balance Sheet Total/Assets (max) | Average Employees (max) | Match Funding Rate | Total Project Budget |
| Micro | £1 million | £500,000 | 10 | 0.7 | £36,000 |
| Small | £15 million | £7.5 million | 50 | 0.7 | £36,000 |
| Medium | £54 million | £27 million | 250 | 0.6 | £42,000 |
| Large | >£54 million | >£27 million | >250 | 0.5 | £50,000 |
Applicants must be able to start their projects promptly and complete by mid-March 2026 to access this funding.
Programme Management and Administration of the programme will be carried out by the Space Scotland team.
Project applications will be judged against the following criteria:
- Must have an application or potential application of the technology or innovation in the space sector.
- Should have a clear path to commercial exploitation.
- Should have clear evidence of demand for the technology or innovation.
- Alignment with the UK Space Agency’s defined capability priorities – see below.
- Should have a clear plan for the future, looking beyond this grant funding.
Key dates
- Call Announced – 20 November 2025
- Expression of Interest Applications open – 20 November 2025
- Expression of Interest Applications Close – 15 December 2025 (or earlier if budget is depleted)
- Grant Funding Awarded from 8 December 2025
- Projects must complete by 23 March 2026
Priority will be given to projects that align with the UK Space Agency’s foci as defined below:
- Space Domain Awareness
- In-Orbit Service, Assembly and Manufacturing
- Launch
- Position, Navigation and Timing
- Earth Observation
- Space Data Architecture
- Science
- Exploration.
How to apply
Applicants must initially complete the ‘Expression of Interest’ stage of the application form, which can be downloaded below.
Forms with sections 1 to 3 complete should be sent by e-mail to becky@spacescotland.org.
Completed forms will then be reviewed by the Pivot Review Board, and companies will be notified of the outcome of their application. If invited to submit a full application, you will be sent a financial breakdown and Gantt chart template to use.