--- title: Viasat and Springpod Announce ‘Space for Good’ STEM Challenge – A £26,000 Opportunity to Fund the Next Generation of Innovators description: Viasat and Springpod launch 'Space for Good' STEM Challenge, offering £26,000 in prizes and mentorship to UK students for innovative space sustainability solutions. image: https://insight.springpod.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/one%20young%20person%20in%20a%20futuristic%20space%20themed%20image.jpeg --- Welcome to Springpod, are you a student? [Student site](https://www.springpod.co.uk/) [Company News](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/company-news) [Further Education](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/further-education) [Employers](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/employers) [Schools](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/schools) [Articles for Employers](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/articles-for-employers) [Higher Education](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/higher-education) 3 min  read #### Viasat and Springpod Announce ‘Space for Good’ STEM Challenge – A £26,000 Opportunity to Fund the Next Generation of Innovators [![Daisy Rowan](https://insight.springpod.com/hubfs/Headshot%20-%201%20pink.png) ](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/author/daisy-rowan) [by  Daisy Rowan ](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/author/daisy-rowan) Daisy Rowan is passionate about the future of work, addressing the digital skills gap, and helping people unlock their potential. Daisy enjoys exploring and sharing insights on these topics, along with marketing best practices, through speaking, writing, and ongoing learning. She also leads key strategic initiatives, including Springpod’s US expansion and social impact efforts. ![](https://insight.springpod.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/one%20young%20person%20in%20a%20futuristic%20space%20themed%20image.jpeg) ## **Calling all future STEM leaders: Win funding and mentorship to power your next steps!** **[London, UK – 30 January 2025]** – Viasat, in collaboration with Springpod, has officially launched the **‘Space for Good’ STEM Innovation Challenge** – a nationwide competition giving UK university and A-Level students the chance to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: **space sustainability**. With a **£26,000 prize fund**, this challenge invites the brightest minds in STEM to propose **technology-driven solutions** that could revolutionise sustainable space exploration. Winners will receive cash prizes to support their education or launch their STEM ambitions, as well as expert mentorship and industry exposure. ## **Funding the Future of STEM Talent** This isn’t just a competition—it’s a launchpad for the **next generation of scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers**. Whether it’s **helping fund a degree, a research project, or STEM equipment**, the **prize money** is designed to support students in taking their next steps towards a future in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Beyond financial rewards, participants will gain **invaluable industry insights**, guidance from **leading experts in space and satellite technology**, and a chance to present their work to a panel of professionals at Viasat’s London HQ in July. ## **A Competition Designed for Maximum Impact – Phases & Key Deadlines** The challenge is **structured to give participants real-world problem-solving experience**, with each phase designed to enhance their skills, **provide expert insights**, and prepare them for future STEM careers: - **Phase 1 (Concept Submission) – Deadline: Sunday, 2 March**** **Participants submit a **1,000-word proposal**, outlining their innovative approach to space sustainability and answering four key questions about their idea. - **Phase 2 (Expert Insights & Mentorship) – Opens: Monday, 24 March | Deadline: Sunday, 4 May**** **The **top 100 entries** will advance to this stage, where they’ll receive **detailed feedback, exclusive industry insights, and one-to-one mentorship from Viasat engineers and sustainability specialists**. This phase is a **unique opportunity for students to refine their ideas** with expert guidance, strengthening both their competition entry and their long-term STEM skills. - **Phase 3 (Finalist Pitch) – Week Commencing 7 July**** **The **most promising ideas** will be selected for **an exclusive, funded trip to Viasat’s London HQ**, where students will **present their projects live to a panel of top industry experts**. ## **Beyond the Prize: A Launchpad for Future STEM Leaders** *"Space for Good isn’t just a competition – it’s an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, get ****industry recognition****, and receive ****support for your next steps in STEM****,"* said **Sam Hyams, CEO of Springpod**. *"We’re thrilled to partner with Viasat to provide young innovators with a platform to develop solutions that have real-world impact."* A spokesperson from **Viasat’s Early Careers team** added: *"We know that financial support and industry guidance can make all the difference for young talent. This challenge is about more than just winning – it’s about equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and connections they need to launch successful careers in STEM. We’re excited to see the creative solutions students bring forward and can’t wait to welcome the finalists to our London HQ."* ## **Prizes & Eligibility** #### **A-Level Students (UK) – £8,500 Prize Pool** 🏆 **1st Place:** £5,000 🥈 **2nd Place:** £2,500 🥉 **3rd Place:** £1,000 - Must be **16–18 years old** by 8 January 2025 - Must be enrolled in an **A-Level (or Scottish equivalent) programme** - UK legal residency required #### **University Students (UK) – £17,500 Prize Pool** 🏆 **1st Place:** £10,000 🥈 **2nd Place:** £5,000 🥉 **3rd Place:** £2,500 - Must be enrolled at a **UK university** studying subjects such as: - Engineering (Software, Electrical, Mechanical, Aeronautical, etc.) - Computer Science (Cybersecurity, Data Science, AI, etc.) - Physics, Environmental Studies, Data Science, or Supply Chain - UK legal residency required ## **How to Enter & Get Involved** Students can [click here](https://www.viasat.springpod.com/#UK) **register, access competition details, and submit their entries**. For media inquiries, please contact: 📧 **Daisy Rowan** – Head of Marketing, Springpod 📩 **daisy.rowan@springpod.com**   **ENDS** **About Springpod** Springpod empowers students to demonstrate their potential through virtual learning experiences and connect with best-fitting employers and universities. Springpod partners with governments, universities, and leading brands such as Viasat, Amazon, Airbus, and Barclays to bridge the gap between education and careers, ensuring every young person can select and secure their brightest future.   **About Viasat** Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate. Today, the company is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact people’s lives anywhere they are — on the ground, in the air or at sea ##### Continue reading [![](https://insight.springpod.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/pinnacle.jpeg) ](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/a-letter-from-our-ceo-sam-hyams) [Company News](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/company-news), [Further Education](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/further-education), [Employers](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/employers), [Schools](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/schools), [Articles for Employers](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/articles-for-employers), [Higher Education](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/higher-education) 2 min  read #### [A Letter from our CEO, Sam Hyams](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/a-letter-from-our-ceo-sam-hyams) by  Sam Hyams [![](https://insight.springpod.com/hubfs/GIST-impact.jpg) ](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/springpod-and-gist-impact) [Company News](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/company-news), [Further Education](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/further-education), [Employers](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/employers), [Schools](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/schools), [Articles for Employers](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/articles-for-employers), [Higher Education](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/tag/higher-education) 3 min  read #### [Springpod and GIST Impact Partner to Revolutionise Social Impact Measurement for Employers Delivering Careers Education](https://insight.springpod.com/blog/springpod-and-gist-impact) by  Sam Hyams ![Contact-us-image](https://insight.springpod.com/hubfs/New-illustrations-contact-us.png) #### Subscribe now Get monthly updates with helpful guides and insights.