Digital enablers and building blocks for Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunication for Space solutions

The HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-31 grant opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe Programme aimed at advancing digital technologies for Earth Observation and satellite telecommunications to enhance Europe's space sector. The grant encourages cooperation among various players, including industry, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and research institutions.

Eligible applicant types include broader industry categories, specific SMEs, and research institutions, with a focus on fostering collaborative consortiums for innovation and commercialization. This grant operates under a lump-sum funding model, characterized as a grant that does not require repayment.

Geographically, the grant is available to applicants from EU member states and potentially from associated countries, emphasizing the importance of European non-dependence in space technologies. The targeted sectors encompass space technology, satellite communication, and digitalization relevant to these fields. Projects are expected to contribute to advancements in satellite communications and Earth observation through research and innovation, particularly focusing on transitioning technological innovations into commercial applications.

The total funding available for this grant is approximately €6 million, distributed among three projects, each potentially receiving between €1 million and €5 million. The application process includes a single-stage submission with a deadline set for September 25, 2025.

Projects are encouraged to align with the broader objectives of enhancing European competitiveness in space and to leverage synergies with ongoing ESA and EU initiatives. The expected outcomes include bolstering the European space industry's share in global connectivity, developing advanced Earth observation technologies, and improving the resilience of data systems. Importantly, the granting process is expected to be competitive, likely yielding success rates between 10% and 39%, typical of Horizon Europe's Research and Innovation Actions.

Overall, the HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-31 grant focuses on fostering innovation in Earth observation and satellite communication sectors through collaborative projects, aiming to solidify Europe's position in the global space economy while promoting the digitalization of space technologies.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically SPACE-HADEA (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02), focusing on digital enablers and building blocks for Earth Observation (EO) and Satellite telecommunication (SatCom) for Space solutions. It falls under the Horizon Europe Programme and is managed by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. The call aims to foster the EU's space sector competitiveness through the co-programmed European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems (‘Space Partnership’).

The primary objective is to advance low to mid Technology Readiness Level (TRL) building blocks to enhance competitiveness in SatCom and EO domains. Digitalisation is seen as a key enabler, improving the value of end-to-end EO and SatCom systems. This includes enhancing data resolution through multi-sensor data processing, optimising data flow for timeliness, and improving data resilience and integrity using digital technologies both on-board and on the ground.

Expected outcomes of the projects include: Enabling the European Space Industry to maintain a significant share of the global connectivity market by increasing the performance of space satellite networks, new type of control, space and ground segments being fully integrated into the terrestrial networks; New commercial services and applications enabled by increased digitalisation of space solutions; Advanced Earth observation payloads, technologies and processing means (on ground and/or in space), for all types of observation missions.

The scope of the call encompasses several Research and Innovation (R&I) areas:

R&I on End-to-End SatCom Mission capabilities: This includes satellite network interconnectivity, seamless integration into terrestrial networks, increased reactivity, efficient connectivity using technologies like optical communication and Inter Satellite Links, compatibility and interoperability with 5G & 6G, and satellites as network nodes in a distributed system. It also involves flexible testbed prototypes and improving SatCom performances using data fusion, user terminal development, new generation antennas, SDR payloads, and exploitation of higher bands.

R&I on breakthrough harmonization enabling interoperability among multiple EO missions: This covers digitalized technology steps like AI algorithms, high-performance cloud-based architectures, active and adaptive optics, higher power electronics, mature digital techniques and technologies for novel operational approaches, and mature miniaturised instrument design for affordable EO constellations.

R&I on lower maturity building blocks and processes common to EO and SatCom systems: This includes technologies and products improving system security and threats identification, resources usage optimization, tools to measure key environmentally driven criteria through increased resource sharing, and maturation of high-performance processing payload hardware and software functions for reconfigurability.

Proposals should promote cooperation between industry, SMEs, and research institutions, and consider commercial use of technological innovations in space. They should also explore synergies with already funded actions, particularly in Critical Space Technologies for European non-dependence, satellite communication technologies, and Earth Observation end-to-end technologies. Projects are expected to use existing European technologies and contribute to European non-dependence. Activities should be complementary to H2020 and Horizon Europe funded projects, national activities, and ESA activities.

The call implements the co-programmed European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems (GCSS), and projects must report results to GCSS to support KPI monitoring. The integration of the gender dimension in research and innovation content should be addressed if relevant.

The call is a single-stage submission process with the deadline on 25 September 2025 at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

The following topics are open for submission with a single-stage deadline of 2025-09-25:

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-11: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) with a budget of 1 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-12: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 3 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants, contributing 1 000 000 to 3 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-13: HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 7 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants, contributing 4 000 000 to 7 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-21: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 18 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants, contributing 6 000 000 to 12 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-22: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 17 500 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing 12 000 000 to 17 500 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-23: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 12 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing 10 000 000 to 12 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-24: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 5 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants, contributing 2 000 000 to 3 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-31: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 6 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants, contributing 1 000 000 to 5 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-32: HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 11 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants, contributing 2 000 000 to 6 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-41: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 10 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing around 10 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-42: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 3 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing around 3 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-43: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 3 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing around 3 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-44: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 5 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing around 5 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-45: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 12 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing around 12 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-46: HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of 5 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing around 5 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-71: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 5 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing 4 500 000 to 5 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-72: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 8 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants, contributing 3 500 000 to 4 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-73: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 1 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing 800 000 to 1 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-74: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 6 000 000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants, contributing 2 500 000 to 3 000 000 EUR per grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-81: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of 500 000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant, contributing 450 000 to 500 000 EUR per grant.

Applicants are encouraged to use the partner search announcements and are required to carefully read all provisions before preparing their application. The Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, and Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ are available for guidance. Support services such as the Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, and European IPR Helpdesk are also available.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to bolster the competitiveness of the European space sector by funding research and innovation in satellite communication and earth observation technologies, with a focus on digitalisation and integration of space-based services with terrestrial networks. It seeks to foster collaboration between various stakeholders and promote the commercialisation of space technologies, while also addressing key challenges such as data resilience, security, and environmental impact. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and applicants must adhere to specific eligibility criteria and reporting requirements.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include industry, SMEs, and research institutions. The call explicitly encourages cooperation between these different actors.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, under the Horizon Europe Programme. There are also Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), and Innovation Actions (IA).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity encourages cooperation between different actors, suggesting a consortium is preferred, but it does not explicitly exclude single applicants.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU and associated countries, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-associated countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The target sectors are space, satellite communication (SatCom), Earth Observation (EO), new commercial space transportation solutions, and digital technologies related to space applications. It is focused on digitalization for commercial space solutions.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the eligibility criteria refer to EU member states, associated countries, and potentially other countries as outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Project Stage: The project stage targets low to mid Technology Readiness Level (TRL) building blocks, focusing on research, development, and validation, with an aim to turn technological innovation into commercial use.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the type of action:
HORIZON-CSA: around €1,000,000
HORIZON-RIA: ranging from €500,000 to €17,500,000
HORIZON-IA: ranging from €5,000,000 to €11,000,000

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: The application process is single-stage.

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 expected number of applications.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding requirements are not explicitly mentioned.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, under the SPACE-HADEA (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02) program, aims to foster the competitiveness of the European space sector through research and innovation in satellite communication (SatCom), Earth Observation (EO), and new commercial space transportation solutions. It is part of a broader initiative to promote the digitalization of commercial space solutions. The call targets projects that develop low to mid TRL building blocks for key technologies, enhance the value of end-to-end EO and SatCom systems through digitalization, and promote cooperation between industry, SMEs, and research institutions.

The expected outcomes include enabling the European Space Industry to maintain a significant share of the global connectivity market, fostering new commercial services and applications through increased digitalization, and advancing Earth observation technologies. The scope of the call encompasses R&I on end-to-end SatCom mission capabilities, harmonization and interoperability among EO missions, and lower maturity building blocks common to both EO and SatCom systems.

Eligible applicants include industry, SMEs, and research institutions from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially other countries as specified in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with varying amounts depending on the type of action (CSA, RIA, IA). The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of September 25, 2025. Projects are expected to align with the objectives of the co-programmed European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems (GCSS) and contribute to its KPIs.