The British National Space Centre (BNSC) takes the lead role in the UK Government for co-ordinating and representing our views and negotiating to ensure that FP7 reflects UK priorities and plays to the strengths of UK stakeholders. The BNSC is a partnership hosted by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and includes 11 Government Departments and research councils, further details can be found at: www.bnsc.gov.uk

Click on the link below to reach the European Commission’s CORDIS site. This has information on eligibility for funding under FP7, participation in FP7, calls for funding, finding project partners and submitting an application.

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html

In addition to the space theme, there may be opportunities for funding of space research under other themes. Links to the most relevant themes are listed below.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) – led in the European Commission by the Directorate General for the Information Society (DG INFSO): http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/

Opportunities for space applications include:

• nano-electronics, photonics and integrated micro/nano-systems;
• ubiquitous and unlimited capacity communication networks;
• embedded systems, computing and control;
• software, grids, security and dependability;
• knowledge, cognitive and learning systems;
• simulation, visualisation, interaction and mixed realities;
• new perspectives in ICT drawing on other science and technology disciplines.

Transport – led in the European Commission by the Directorate General for Energy and Transport (DG TREN): http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/transport_en.html

Opportunities for space applications include:

• solutions to contribute to improved aircraft operations at the airport (airside and landside), air traffic management and protection of aircraft and passengers;
• research into the use of alternative fuels, including hydrogen and fuel cells infrastructure pricing and charging;
• security of the transport system;
• support to the European global satellite navigation system (Galileo).

Environment – led in the European Commission by the Directorate General for Environment (DG ENV): http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/environment_en.html

Opportunities for space applications include:

• development of advanced climate change models;
• identification of pollution sources and new or emerging environmental stressors and vectors;
• managing natural disasters;
• prediction of the behaviour of ecosystems;
• management of marine environments;
• earth observation including the development and integration of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES).

Security – led in the European Commission by the Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry (DG ENTR): http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/security_en.html

Opportunities for space applications include:

• data gathering, exploitation, sharing;
• detection and identification of substances, individuals or groups;
• control of access and movements;
• enhancing the effectiveness of security systems used at border-crossing points ;
• improving the security of Europe's land and sea borders maritime security;
• assessment and management of (illegal) migration flows;
• crisis management;
• co-ordination of emergency aid.

Further reading:

The main space industry trade associations in the UK are:

UK Space (originally known as the United Kingdom Industrial Space Committee (UKISC)) UKspace represents over 75 per cent of the UK Space industry by both turnover and people employed, with member companies engaged in all aspects of space activity: http://www.sbac.co.uk/pages/43611913.asp UK Space is sponsored jointly by SBAC and Intellect.

British Association of Remote Sensing Companies (BARSC), which represents the interests of all those involved in remote sensing activities, from major companies to SMEs and independent consultants: http://www.barsc.org.uk/

Association of Specialist Technical Organisations for Space (ASTOS), a UK trade association for small and medium sized companies operating in the space sector: http://www.astos.org.uk/

Knowledge, Innovation, Technology Enterprise: The PPARC KITE Club gives a single identity to all PPARC's technology development and business and partnership activities and provides opportunities to network, identify new partnerships, share best practice and explore enterprise. http://www.so.stfc.ac.uk/publications/pdf/KITEClub.pdf

Regional Initiatives Many of the regions support FP7 activities.

EEDA: Hertfordshire Business Incubation Centre (hbic): for information on ‘UK SatNav Challenge’ contact info@hertsbic.co.uk

Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) KTNs are set up to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and experience between industry and the science base:

http://www.ktnetworks.co.uk/

Some of the KTNS that may be relevant to Space activities are:

1. Location and Timing: www.locationktn.com

2. Sensors: www.sensorsktn.com

3. Security: www.cybersecurity-ktn.com