Space Vandenberg Innovation Fund

REACH, in partnership with UCSB and CalPoly, has established the Space Vandenberg Innovation Fund, a competitive funding opportunity designed to help innovators accelerate the commercialization of promising space, aerospace, defense, dual-use and space-adjacent technologies.

Three funding tiers are available: 

  • Discover - up to $7,500. Explore early ideas, technologies, and proof-of-concept activities. 
  • Ignite - up to $50,000. Accelerate promising technology development or research assets. 
  • Launch - up to $100,000. Support technologies ready for real-world application to the region's startup companies, are eligible to apply.

Eligibility 

The UCSB and CalPoly research and academic communities, in addition to the region's startup companies, are eligible to apply. 

Guidelines

To explore the Innovation Fund and apply, go here. 

  Key Dates

  • Letter of Intent Deadline: October 2nd, 2026 at 5:00pm PDT 
  • Application Deadline: October 16th, 2026 at 5:00pm PDT

 Apply

 UCSB Contact

Executive Director