Astronomy solar and planetary small awards 2026
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) · United Kingdom
Funding to support theory including modelling, simulation and related software development, observation, experiment and new technology research relevant to all aspects of solar system science.
Summary
Deadline
10 Mar 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to support theory including modelling, simulation and related software development, observation, experiment and new technology research relevant to all aspects of solar system science.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Astronomy and space science research related to solar system and planetary studies.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. The lead applicant must meet UKRI eligibility criteria and be based at an eligible research organisation. Projects supporting theory, modelling, simulation, observation, experiment and new technology development related to solar system science including solar physics, planetary science and laboratory studies of so...
Eligible applicants
Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Amount needs verification
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
80% of Full Economic Cost (FEC).
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects supporting theory, modelling, simulation, observation, experiment and new technology development related to solar system science including solar physics, planetary science and laboratory studies of solar system material.
Eligible expenses
- Project specific costs including travel and subsistence, directly incurred and directly allocated costs, equipment and high performance computing costs where justified.
Ineligible costs
- Standard UKRI/STFC ineligible costs per funding terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Applications undergo eligibility checks, independent expert review and panel assessment by the Astronomy Grants Panel before final ranking and funding decisions.
Application sections
- Vision and approach, applicant and team capability to deliver, ethics and responsible research and innovation, resources and cost justification, classification of application, risk management, other funding support, project partners and data management and sharing.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not meet eligibility criteria, exceed staffing limits or fall outside the remit of the funding opportunity.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
18 Nov 2025
Project duration
Maximum of three years
Project start
30 Sept 2027
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Applications may be submitted by a single research organisation or by a consortium of multiple research organisations.
- Organisations based overseas may participate where eligible.
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Solar system and planetary science research."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Projects must be a single research project with defined staffing limits and must fall within the STFC remit for solar system and planetary science."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Applicants may submit up to two applications across the small awards round but only one as project lead."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 10 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- Amount needs verification
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Astronomy and space science research related to solar system and planetary studies.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 18 Nov 2025