The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the US operates a structured funding framework to support research and development in the private sector, particularly for small businesses. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programmes provide phased grants to companies developing technologies relevant to NASA's goals.

Prerequisites:

• Identify key stakeholders such as the government, industry, and academia, and build relationships with them.

• Encourage involvement in the consortium.

• National space policy/strategy with clear lead agency and budget line

• Access to technical/business experts to support private entities applying for funding

• Lead agency & budget

• Procurement pathway

• Partner support as needed

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 50k–250k (not including cost for funding to be provided)

• Includes: fund design and governance, technical assistance, monitoring & evaluation, administrative support.

Timeframe:

• Overall: 12-60 months

• Phase: fund design (6-12 months), funding round(s) (6 - 48 months), optional evaluation & scale-up (6 - 12 months)

Pros:

• Mitigating Cost - By sharing R&D costs among consortium members, organisations can reduce individual financial burdens and make large-scale projects more feasible.

• Improved Access - Participation in a consortium can provide access to new markets and opportunities through shared networks and partnerships.

Considerations:

• Articulation - Managing and coordinating multiple stakeholders with different objectives and priorities can be challenging and may require robust governance/operating structures.

• Timeline and Distant RoI - R&D projects often require extended timelines, which can be challenging for organisations seeking quick returns on investment.