Digital solutions for autonomy for space transportation systems, design and simulation tools – targeting demonstration

The Horizon Europe call titled "Digital solutions for autonomy for space transportation systems, design and simulation tools – targeting demonstration" (topic ID HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-13) aims to foster the development of innovative digital technologies specifically for space transportation systems. This opportunity invites proposals from various eligible applicants, including entities from industry, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and research institutions. The objective is to create a strong consortium that promotes collaboration amongst these diverse stakeholders in efforts to enhance technological advancements in the space sector.

Funding is provided in the form of grants, characterized as non-repayable financial support that falls under the Horizon Europe's Research and Innovation Actions framework. The financial support available per project ranges from €1 million to €3 million, with a total budget of €3 million allocated for approximately two projects.

The application process is a single-stage open call, with the deadline for submission set for September 25, 2025. Proposals should address mid to high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and progress towards practical demonstrations—either on the ground or in orbit—highlighting the need for innovative digital solutions and autonomous systems in space.

Successful projects are expected to contribute to the European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems, specifically aiming to advance capabilities in satellite communication, Earth observation, and innovative transportation solutions in space. Key areas of focus include health monitoring systems, smart avionics, digital tools for autonomous operation, and structural integrity monitoring techniques to enhance safety and efficiency in space transportation.

Geographically, eligible applicants must be legal entities located in EU Member States, along with associated countries such as Norway, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Collaboration with existing European technologies is encouraged to minimize duplication of prior efforts, ensuring the strategic autonomy of the EU in space advancement.

While precise success rates for applications are not disclosed, it is noted that Horizon Europe maintains a competitive funding landscape, with generally varying success rates. Notably, co-funding requirements are not specified for this call, indicating that full funding for eligible costs is expected under the lump-sum grant model.

Overall, this call strives to bolster the European space sector's competitiveness by fostering innovation through collaborative projects focused on developing state-of-the-art digital technologies for autonomous space operations.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically SPACE-HADEA (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02), focusing on "Digital solutions for autonomy for space transportation systems, design and simulation tools targeting demonstration" with topic ID HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-13. It falls under the Horizon Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) funding scheme and uses the HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model grant agreement.

The call is currently open for submission with a single-stage deadline of September 25, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The opening date was May 22, 2025.

The expected outcome of this topic is to contribute to the co-programmed European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems, specifically in satellite communication (SatCom), Earth Observation (EO), and New Commercial Space Transportation Solutions. It aims to foster digital developments for commercial space solutions. The focus is on mid to high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) developments to enhance competitiveness in new space transportation solutions. The goal is to achieve cost reduction, enhanced availability, and improved reliability through reusability and modularity. Areas of improvement include health monitoring systems, digital solutions for autonomy, low-cost sensors, and efficient avionics.

Project results should contribute to the ability to identify structural damage remotely and provide autonomous thermo-mechanical monitoring to prevent failures in transportation systems. This will contribute to developing and deploying global space-based services, applications, and data, fostering the EU's space sector competitiveness.

The scope of the call includes R&I on advanced technologies and digital sensors for new space transportation, such as smart avionics with modularity and reusability drivers, health monitoring systems, smart sensors, structural health monitoring, and ground and flight software for data management using AI algorithms. Developments should focus on on-ground or in-orbit demonstration using software and digital tools.

Proposals should promote cooperation between industry, SMEs, and research institutions, considering opportunities for commercial use in space through demonstrations. Synergies with existing technology development actions at the component level are encouraged, utilizing European technologies and building blocks to strengthen competitiveness and reduce non-dependence. Activities should complement H2020, Horizon Europe projects, national activities, and ESA projects.

The call implements the GCSS partnership, requiring projects to report results to support KPI monitoring. It contributes to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), addressing Space technologies in digital technologies and deep tech innovation, aiming to develop critical technologies and strengthen the EU value chain while reducing strategic dependencies.

The integration of the gender dimension in research and innovation content should be addressed if relevant.

Admissibility conditions include 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 listed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Participation is limited to legal entities from Member States, Norway, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may participate under specific guarantees.

Other eligible conditions include the use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS for projects using satellite-based data and services.

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

Evaluation and award processes are detailed in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. Eligible proposals exceeding evaluation thresholds will receive a STEP Seal.

The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F.

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

Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms, model grant agreements, and additional documents are available in the Submission System and the Funding & Tenders Portal. A compulsory questionnaire on the declaration of ownership and control is required for all project participants.

The budget overview lists various SPACE topics under the HORIZON-CL4-2025-02 call, including HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-13, with a budget of EUR 7,000,000 and an indicative number of 2 grants. The opening date is May 22, 2025, and the deadline is September 25, 2025.

There are 17 partner search announcements available.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call focuses on fostering innovation in digital solutions for space transportation, particularly in autonomy, design, and simulation tools. It seeks to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the European space sector by supporting projects that develop and demonstrate advanced technologies for health monitoring, structural integrity, and autonomous operations in space transportation systems. The call encourages collaboration between various stakeholders and aims to reduce strategic dependencies on non-EU technologies.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is open to industry, SMEs, and research institutions.

Funding Type: The funding type includes HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA). The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum grant.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity expects proposals to promote cooperation between different actors (industry, SMEs and research institutions). This suggests a consortium is preferred, but it is not explicitly stated whether a single applicant is disallowed.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Norway, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Target Sector: The program targets the space sector, specifically focusing on satellite communication (SatCom), Earth Observation (EO), and New Commercial Space Transportation Solutions. It also targets digital technologies and deep tech innovation within the space sector.

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

Project Stage: The topic focuses on Mid to High TRL (Technology Readiness Level) developments. The developments should aim at on-ground or in-orbit demonstration focusing on software and digital tools.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-CSA: around EUR 1,000,000
HORIZON-RIA: EUR 500,000 (EUR 450,000 to EUR 500,000), EUR 1,000,000 (EUR 800,000 to EUR 1,000,000), EUR 3,000,000 (EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 3,000,000, around EUR 3,000,000), EUR 5,000,000 (EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 3,000,000, around EUR 5,000,000, EUR 4,500,000 to EUR 5,000,000), EUR 6,000,000 (EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000, EUR 2,500,000 to EUR 3,000,000), EUR 8,000,000 (EUR 3,500,000 to EUR 4,000,000), EUR 10,000,000 (around EUR 10,000,000), EUR 12,000,000 (EUR 10,000,000 to EUR 12,000,000, around EUR 12,000,000), EUR 17,500,000 (EUR 12,000,000 to EUR 17,500,000), EUR 18,000,000 (EUR 6,000,000 to EUR 12,000,000)
HORIZON-IA: EUR 5,000,000 (around EUR 5,000,000), EUR 7,000,000 (EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 7,000,000), EUR 11,000,000 (EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 6,000,000)

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 a single-stage process.

Success Rates: Success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding requirements are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

This Horizon Europe call, under the SPACE-HADEA (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02) framework, aims to bolster the competitiveness and strategic autonomy of the European space sector. It focuses on digital solutions for space transportation, satellite communication, and earth observation, aligning with the goals of the Globally Competitive Space Systems Partnership and the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform. The call invites proposals from industry, SMEs, and research institutions to develop and demonstrate innovative technologies, particularly those at mid to high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). Projects should contribute to cost reduction, enhanced availability, and improved reliability in space systems through reusability, modularity, and digitalization. Eligible applicants must be legal entities from EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, with specific conditions applying to entities controlled by non-eligible countries. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the application process involves a single stage. The call encompasses a range of topics with varying budget allocations, targeting research and innovation actions, as well as innovation actions, to foster the development and commercial use of cutting-edge space technologies.