Digital enablers and building-blocks for Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunication for Space solutions (Space Partnership)

The Horizon Europe opportunity labeled as HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-31 focuses on creating digital enablers and building blocks for Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunication, aimed at enhancing space solutions. This is part of the broader Horizon Europe framework and fits within the Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), employing a lump sum funding model.

Eligible applicants include legal entities from EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. There are special conditions for non-EU entities, particularly concerning compliance with EU strategic autonomy.

The total funding available for this topic is €12 million, intended for three grants, where individual project funding ranges from €3 million to €6 million. The application process is single-stage, with applications opening on March 10, 2026, and closing on September 3, 2026. Proposals should focus on research and innovation in areas such as Satellite communications, Earth Observation technologies, and digital infrastructure necessary for improving operational efficiencies.

Successful projects are expected to enhance the competitiveness of the European space sector by developing new commercial services and applications based on advanced technological developments. A consortium of varying stakeholders (industry, SMEs, research institutions, academia) is typically encouraged, although not strictly required. The success rate for applications is estimated to be between 10% and 39%, based on competitive proposal volumes.

The call aligns with EU goals to promote digitalization in the space sector, supporting the development of technologies that bolster satellite connectivity and Earth observation capabilities. The opportunity emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing EU technologies and fostering collaborations that contribute to the EU's strategic independence and security in space initiatives.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-31, focusing on digital enablers and building blocks for Earth Observation (EO) and Satellite telecommunication (SatCom) for Space solutions, as part of the Space Partnership. It falls under the Horizon Europe Programme, call SPACE (HORIZON-CL4-2026-03), and is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The deadline model is single-stage, with a planned opening date of 10 March 2026 and a deadline of 03 September 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The call aims to foster the fast increment of Low to Mid Technology Readiness Level (TRL) building blocks for key technologies required to strengthen competitiveness in the SatCom and EO domains. It is part of cohesive activities in digital developments under the heading of "digitalisation for commercial space solutions". Digitalisation is considered a major enabler for enhancing the value of an End-to-End EO and SatCom system.

Projects funded under this call are expected to contribute to several outcomes, including: new commercial services and applications enabled by increased digitalisation of space solutions; a competitive and sustainable European Space Sector; enabling the European Space Industry to maintain a significant share of the global connectivity market; next generation Earth observation and SatCom payloads, technologies and processing means (on ground and in space); security of SatCom and EO services, supporting next-generation technologies for both ground and space commercial applications; and improved access to satellite data through interoperable systems. These outcomes will contribute to developing and deploying global, more flexible, and reactive space-based services applications, fostering the EU's space sector competitiveness.

The scope of the call includes Research and Innovation (R&I) in the following areas:
R&I on End-to-End SatCom Mission capabilities for current and future satellite networks interoperability including both space and ground-based assets, and digital on-ground infrastructure to test and enhance operational efficiency.
R&I on Earth Observation equipment, subsystems, applications and services, improving the End-to-End timeliness of an EO system and enhanced resolution, miniaturisation of instrument designs and digital techniques and technologies to support operations and harmonisation enabling interoperability among multiple EO missions.
R&I on building blocks and processes common to EO and SatCom systems, such system resources usage optimisation, high-performance processing payload H/W to support space network capabilities including an improvement in downlink and tasking capabilities of the European infrastructure, RF and optical hybrid ground stations for anchoring services and quantum technologies adaptation for space application.

Proposals may address one or more of these R&I areas, but the main area must be clearly identified. Cooperation between industry, SMEs, research institutions, infrastructures, and academia is expected, with consideration for quickly turning technological innovation into commercial use in space. Projects should utilize existing EU technologies and/or building blocks, including at the component level, to contribute to EU non-dependence and strengthen competitiveness. Activities should be complementary to H2020, Horizon Europe funded projects, national activities, and activities funded by the European Space Agency (ESA).

The call contributes to the implementation of the European Partnership on ‘Globally Competitive Space Systems’ (GCSS). The integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content should be addressed if relevant to the research objectives.

Admissibility conditions require adherence to proposal page limits and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form.

Eligible countries are those described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific provisions exist for non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have made funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, New-Zealand, United Kingdom and Switzerland. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may not participate unless they can demonstrate that their participation would not negatively impact the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security. High-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment cannot submit guarantees.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

To ensure a balanced portfolio, grants will be awarded to applications not only based on ranking but also to the highest-ranked proposal within each development area, provided they meet all thresholds.

Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also described in Annex F.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Application form templates and evaluation form templates are available in the Submission System. Guidance is provided through the HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, call-specific instructions, a detailed budget table, and guidance on lump sums. A compulsory questionnaire on the declaration of ownership and control must be filled by all project participants.

Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, the decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions, rules for legal entity validation, and the EU Grants AGA.

The budget overview indicates that for HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-31, 12,000,000 EUR is allocated, with contributions ranging from 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 EUR, and an indicative number of 3 grants.

This funding opportunity aims to bolster the European space sector by supporting research and innovation in satellite communications and earth observation technologies. It seeks to enhance the competitiveness of European companies, promote the use of European technologies, and foster collaboration between various stakeholders, including industry, academia, and SMEs. The focus is on developing building blocks for future space systems, ensuring the EU's strategic autonomy, and improving the accessibility and security of space-based services. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and applicants must adhere to specific eligibility criteria and guidelines to ensure their proposals align with the EU's objectives and priorities in the space sector.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include industry, SMEs, research institutions and infrastructures, and academia. The call encourages cooperation between these different actors. Legal entities established in Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Switzerland are eligible. Entities from third countries which may become associated to Horizon Europe during 2026 and 2027 may also be eligible.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe Programme. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity encourages cooperation between different actors, suggesting that a consortium is preferred, although not explicitly stated as mandatory.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Third countries that may become associated with Horizon Europe during 2026 and 2027 may also be eligible.

Target Sector: The target sectors are satellite communication (SatCom), Earth Observation (EO), and New Commercial Space Transportation Solutions. The program targets digital developments and digitalization for commercial space solutions. Specific areas include:

 R&I on End-to-End SatCom Mission capabilities for current and future satellite networks interoperability including both space and ground-based assets, and digital on-ground infrastructure to test and enhance operational efficiency;
 R&I on Earth Observation equipment, subsystems, applications and services, improving the End-to-End timeliness of an EO system and enhanced resolution, miniaturisation of instrument designs and digital techniques and technologies to support operations and harmonisation enabling interoperability among multiple EO missions;
 R&I on building blocks and processes common to EO and SatCom systems, such system resources usage optimisation, high-performance processing payload H/W to support space network capabilities including an improvement in downlink and tasking capabilities of the European infrastructure, RF and optical hybrid ground stations for anchoring services and quantum technologies adaptation for space application.

Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Switzerland.

Project Stage: The project stage targets low to mid TRL (Technology Readiness Level) building blocks for key technologies. This suggests a focus on research, development, and validation stages.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:

 HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-11: €10,000,000 to €15,000,000
 HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-31: €3,000,000 to €6,000,000
 HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-32: €5,000,000 to €10,000,000
 HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-61: €1,500,000 to €2,500,000
 HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-81: €12,000,000 to €13,000,000
 HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-82: €6,000,000 to €7,000,000
 HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-85: €3,000,000 to €4,000,000
 HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-86: €2,000,000 to €3,000,000

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: There is a single stage for the application process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic is provided, allowing for an estimation based on the number of expected applications.

Co-funding Requirement: The need for co-funding is not explicitly mentioned.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, under the SPACE designation (HORIZON-CL4-2026-03), aims to foster research and innovation in the areas of satellite communication (SatCom), Earth Observation (EO), and New Commercial Space Transportation Solutions. It is part of the broader effort to promote digitalization within the space sector, specifically focusing on enhancing the value of end-to-end EO and SatCom systems. The call targets the development of low to mid TRL building blocks for key technologies to boost the competitiveness of the European space sector. Eligible applicants include a range of entities such as industry players, SMEs, research institutions, and academia from EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, as well as potentially other associated countries. Projects should contribute to outcomes such as new commercial space services, a sustainable European space sector, improved global connectivity, next-generation space technologies, enhanced security for SatCom and EO services, and better access to satellite data. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the application process involves a single stage. The call encourages collaborative projects that utilize existing EU technologies and complement other space-related initiatives.