FIERCE 2nd Open Call for the Financial Support Programme

FIERCE 2nd Open Call is a cascade funding Financial Support Programme providing vouchers to single-entity SMEs and self-employed applicants established in EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories, or Horizon Europe Associated Countries to develop or commercialise downstream space-enabled green solutions. Selected beneficiaries receive up to €50,000 (ideation and commercialisation up to €25,000, scale-up up to €50,000) to contract External Service Providers and must use funds exclusively for those services. The call has a total budget of €694,520, supports projects of up to six months, assigns a Lead Mentor to each beneficiary, and pays the grant after verification of results. Applications are submitted via the official OnePass/Opportunities portal and the deadline is 9 November 2026 (consult the portal for the exact submission time and Guide for Applicants for full rules).

What it funds

Scope summary

Voucher-style funding to contract External Service Providers for SMEs to design, scale-up or commercialise space-enabled green solutions using downstream space data (EO, remote sensing, satellite navigation). Funding covers services only; standalone product purchases are not eligible.

Maximum per beneficiary:Up to €50,000 per beneficiary. Three project types: Ideation up to €25,000; Scale-up up to €50,000; Commercialisation up to €25,000. Payment is made after completion and verification of results ¹.

1. 1Who can apply: single legal entities (self-employed, micro, small, medium enterprises, including start-ups/scale-ups) established in EU Member States, their OCTs or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
2. 2Total budget available: €694,520 (approx. 22 projects expected; ~6 scale-up and ~16 ideation/commercialisation, subject to quality and final budget).
3. 3Duration: projects last up to 6 months; each beneficiary is assigned a Lead Mentor.

Selection is via a single-stage call with eligibility checks, expert evaluation and legal screening. Projects must justify Best Value for Money in procuring External Service Providers; VAT and taxes are the beneficiary's responsibility.

Footnotes

1. 1Full Guide for Applicants, list of eligible services and External Service Providers: 2nd-financing.project-fierce.eu; helpdesk: helpdesk@project-fierce.eu.

What the Programme Funds

Scope and Purpose

This Financial Support Programme (FIERCE 2nd Open Call) funds contracting of External Service Providers by single-entity SMEs to design, upscale, or commercialise space-enabled green solutions or to adopt commercially available downstream space services. The objective is to support solutions that leverage downstream space data such as Earth Observation (EO), remote sensing, and satellite navigation to reduce environmental footprint, improve circularity and resource efficiency, enhance management of primary/secondary/critical raw materials, and improve environmental monitoring. Projects can cover early-stage ideation through commercialization and final-stage market readiness. Each selected beneficiary receives a voucher-style sub-grant paid after verification of results. Applicants are required to procure services from External Service Providers; the voucher funds are allocated 100 percent to service providers and no additional costs beyond those services are reimbursed. A Lead Mentor will be assigned to each beneficiary for guidance throughout the programme. Detailed rules, eligible services and an indicative list of External Service Providers are provided in the Guide for Applicants FIERCE Guide for Applicants. ¹

Maximum grant amounts and project types:There are three project types reflecting maturity: Ideation projects up to €25,000; Scale-Up projects up to €50,000; Commercialisation projects up to €25,000. Overall per-beneficiary cap: €50,000 (any combination of services as long as the beneficiary does not exceed €50,000 total).

Total programme budget and expected number of awards:Total available for this Open Call: €694,520. The programme aims to support approximately 22 projects in this call, with an indicative split of ~6 scale-up vouchers (up to €50,000) and ~16 ideation/commercialisation vouchers (up to €25,000). The final number of awards depends on quality and budget at the time of selection.

Key Administrative Details

Call opening date:08 September 2026. Single-stage deadline for submission: 09 November 2026, 15:00 Brussels time (some pages show 17:00 CET local time; applicants should use the official portal deadline and Guide for Applicants for final confirmation). Expected maximum duration of participation: up to 6 months from kick-off. Grant payments are provided after successful completion, verification and final review.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants are single legal entities only:self-employed individuals, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including start-ups and scale-ups. Applicants must be legally established in an EU Member State (including Overseas Countries and Territories) or a Horizon Europe Associated Country at the time of application. Applicants must meet the EU SME definition: fewer than 250 employees and either turnover not exceeding €50 million or balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.

Eligible Applicant Types (detailed)

Eligible applicant types:SMEs (micro, small, medium), start-ups, scale-ups, and self-employed individuals. Large enterprises, universities, research institutes, NGOs, public bodies and consortia are not eligible to apply as beneficiaries under this specific FSTP Open Call; the call explicitly targets single-entity SME applicants contracting External Service Providers. External Service Providers are third parties that deliver the funded services and may be organisations of various types but they are contracted by the beneficiary, not grant recipients.

Project & Technology Focus

Target technology and thematic sectors:downstream space data applications and services (Earth Observation, remote sensing, satellite navigation/GNSS) applied to environmental and circular economy challenges. Priority application areas include circularity and waste/resource management, resource-efficient and environmentally friendly management of primary/secondary/critical raw materials, environmental monitoring, and solutions that demonstrably reduce environmental impact either internally for the company (Type A Transformation Project) or for the company's users/customers (Type B Transformation Project). The programme supports digital and space-enabled services, technical advisory, data product development, validation, pilot demonstrations, business model commercialisation and go-to-market support delivered as services by External Service Providers.

1. 1Improvement of circularity, resource efficiency and waste management
2. 2Safe and resource-efficient management of primary, secondary and critical raw materials
3. 3Improved environmental monitoring (pollution, land use, biodiversity proxy metrics, emissions estimates, etc.)
4. 4Downstream space data applications: Earth Observation, remote sensing, satellite navigation, integration of multiple space-based data sources
5. 5Business model development, market testing and commercialisation support where space data is central to the solution

Funding Type, Modality and Contracting

Funding type:voucher-style grant/sub-grant under a Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) scheme. Financial mechanism: grant (sub-grant voucher paid to beneficiaries, with funds exclusively used to pay External Service Providers). Beneficiaries sign a Sub-Grant Agreement with the FIERCE consortium and then contract External Service Providers using the voucher. VAT and national taxes are the responsibility of the beneficiary and are not eligible for reimbursement through the voucher. Standalone purchase of products or equipment is not permitted except when strictly necessary and inseparable from the eligible service.

Consortium Requirement and Application Model

Consortium requirement:single-entity applications only. No multi-partner consortium required or allowed as lead beneficiary. Method of application: open single-stage call submitted via the OnePass/Opportunities portal (opportunities.getonepass.eu) within the deadline. Applicants must create a OnePass account or sign in via supported methods (e.g., Google) to submit.

Geographic Eligibility and Participating Countries

Beneficiary geographic scope:legal entities established in EU Member States (including Overseas Countries and Territories) and in Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Where Horizon Europe rules permit, certain non-associated countries can participate subject to the work programme and call text; the Guide for Applicants and the Horizon Europe list of participating countries provide authoritative details. Applicants should verify association status of their country at the time of application. The programme documentation references Horizon Europe association and participating country rules and related guidance ¹.

Application Process and Evaluation

Submission and evaluation follow a multi-step screening and expert evaluation process. Only complete proposals submitted through the official platform within the deadline will be evaluated. The process typically includes: eligibility check; pre-scoring (if necessary); expert evaluation against defined criteria; selection committee consensus meeting to establish a provisional list of FSTP recipients; legal screening of pre-selected entities; signing of Sub-Grant Agreements; matchmaking with External Service Providers; implementation; final review and payment. Applications require budget information for requested services; payments are contingent on completion, verification of deliverables and final review.

1. 1Step 1: Eligibility check against call criteria
2. 2Step 2: Pre-scoring (if applicable)
3. 3Step 3: Expert evaluation of proposal
4. 4Step 4: Selection Committee consensus meeting to decide provisional recipients
5. 5Step 5: Legal screening and invitation to sign Sub-Grant Agreement

Application Timeline and Deadlines

Official opening:08 September 2026. Single-stage closing: 09 November 2026 at 15:00 Brussels time per the EU Portal; the project webpage references 17:00 CET local time — applicants must use the official portal and Guide for Applicants for exact timing and timezone. The expected applicant participation period is up to 6 months after kick-off; onboarding, matchmaking and implementation occur in the months following selection. Applicants should consult the timeline in the Guide for Applicants and the OnePass portal for precise cut-offs and potential interim cut-off dates.

Number of Application Stages and Success Rate

Number of formal application/evaluation stages:five defined evaluation/legal steps (eligibility, pre-scoring, expert evaluation, selection committee consensus, legal screening) before contracting. Success rates: not explicitly stated. Approximate target: ~22 projects out of all eligible applicants; final success rate depends on number of applications received and the quality of proposals. With total budget €694,520 and per-beneficiary caps of €25K–€50K, roughly 20–30 awards are expected; success rate depends on applicant pool size and cannot be predetermined from available data.

Co-funding and Eligible Costs

Co-funding requirement:the call does not require cash co-funding from the beneficiary for the voucher amount itself. However, beneficiaries must cover any non-eligible costs, taxes (including VAT where applicable), and any costs beyond the voucher value. The voucher must be used to procure eligible services from External Service Providers; standalone equipment purchases are not eligible unless inseparably linked to an eligible service and justified in the application. Beneficiaries must demonstrate Best Value for Money when procuring services and may need to justify procurement choices during audits.

How to Apply — Practical Steps and Templates

Applications must be submitted via the OnePass opportunities portal at opportunities.getonepass.eu. Applicants register or sign in, complete the online application form and upload required documents, including a detailed description of the solution, the services requested from External Service Providers, and budget/quotation evidence. A Guide for Applicants is available; applicants must read it thoroughly. No fixed quotation template is mandated — quotations may be provided in any clear format, but they must detail price, scope and conditions. A Sub-Grant Agreement template and additional webinar/info day resources are provided on the project website when available.

1. 1Register or sign in to OnePass
2. 2Complete the online application form describing the solution, maturity stage and services required
3. 3Attach quotations or evidence of proposed service costs (no fixed template required)
4. 4Submit by the portal deadline
5. 5If selected, sign the Sub-Grant Agreement and proceed to matchmaking with External Service Providers

Evaluation Criteria and What Reviewers Will Look For

Evaluation is carried out by experts following the steps described. Proposals will be assessed on eligibility, clarity of the problem and solution, relevance and quality of the planned services, convincing use of downstream space data, expected environmental impact, feasibility of the workplan and procurement approach, value for money of the requested budget, and the applicant's capacity to implement the project. Projects that strongly address the call priorities (circularity, raw materials management, environmental monitoring) and that demonstrate a clear path to commercialization and measurable environmental benefits are prioritised.

Contact, Support and Reference Links

Primary information and application documents:2nd-financing.project-fierce.eu and the OnePass opportunities portal at opportunities.getonepass.eu. For questions contact helpdesk@project-fierce.eu. Project page: project-fierce.eu. Official EU Funding & Tenders Portal listing: ec.europa.eu.

Mentioned Countries and Geographic Notes

Explicitly mentioned geographic eligibility:EU Member States and Overseas Countries and Territories, and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The call refers to Horizon Europe participation rules and lists of associated/participating countries in the Horizon Europe guidance; applicants from associated countries can participate under equivalent conditions, subject to association status. The Guide for Applicants and Horizon Europe lists should be consulted for specific country eligibility and funding rules ¹.

Summary — What is this Opportunity About and Who Should Apply

This Open Call is a voucher-based Financial Support to Third Parties programme under the FIERCE project that aims to accelerate SME uptake of downstream space data to develop space-enabled green solutions that improve environmental performance and circularity. It targets single-entity SMEs and self-employed entrepreneurs established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Selected SMEs receive vouchers (up to €25K or €50K depending on project type) that must be used to contract External Service Providers to deliver specified services. The programme supports solutions across the technology readiness spectrum (ideation to commercialisation), offers mentor support, and requires applicants to demonstrate use of downstream space data, clear environmental benefits, feasibility and value for money. Applicants should apply through the OnePass portal and consult the Guide for Applicants and project webpages for full details, procurement rules, and legal conditions.

Footnotes

1. 1Refer to the Guide for Applicants available at 2nd-financing.project-fierce.eu and the Horizon Europe list of participating and associated countries guidance for definitive eligibility and procedural details. The Guide contains the eligible services list, External Service Provider guidance, and procurement/budget rules.

This is a cascade funding opportunity under the FIERCE Horizon Europe project for SMEs and other eligible single entities developing downstream space enabled green solutions. The call finances external specialist services that help applicants design, upscale, commercialise, or adopt solutions that improve circularity, resource efficiency, and environmental monitoring.[1][9]

What the opportunity supports

The programme supports projects that use downstream space data and services such as Earth Observation, remote sensing, satellite navigation, or geospatial analytics to create solutions with a positive environmental impact. It covers both Type A Transformation Projects, which improve the applicant's own processes, and Type B Transformation Projects, which improve products or services for users.[9]

• Improvement of circularity through better use of resources and waste management
• Safe, resource efficient, and environmentally friendly management of primary, secondary, and critical raw materials
• Improved environmental monitoring

Who can apply

Applications are open to single entities only, including self employed individuals, micro enterprises, small enterprises, and medium sized enterprises, including start ups and scale ups. Applicants must be legally registered in an EU Member State, an Overseas Countries and Territories territory, or a Horizon Europe Associated Country.[1][9]

The project page also indicates that ideation or commercialisation applicants may apply for up to two separate and clearly different projects, provided the total support received by that beneficiary does not exceed the €50,000 ceiling.[1]

Funding structure and amount

Each selected beneficiary can receive up to €50,000 in total, and the financial support is paid after successful completion and verification of results.[1]

The financial support is used to contract External Service Providers, with 100 percent of the support allocated to those services and no extra costs reimbursed. Beneficiaries can combine eligible services as needed, as long as the overall voucher ceiling is not exceeded.[1]

Total budget and expected awards:The call has a total budget of €694,520 and expects to support approximately 22 projects, including around 6 scale up projects and 16 ideation or commercialisation projects. The final number depends on the budget available and the quality of the proposals.

Expected duration:Up to 6 months.

Application and evaluation

Applications must be submitted through the official online portal, and only complete proposals submitted by the deadline will be evaluated. The process includes an eligibility check, possible pre scoring, expert evaluation, selection by a committee, and legal screening before sub grant signature.[9]

1. 1Opening date: 8 September 2026
2. 2Deadline: 9 November 2026. The portal metadata shows 15:00 Brussels time, while the public call page snippet shows 17:00 CET, so applicants should verify the live submission clock before submitting.[9]
3. 3Submission model: single stage
4. 4Implementation period: up to 6 months

Practical takeaways for applicants

• Show a clear link between the proposed solution and downstream space data or services.
• Explain the environmental benefit in measurable terms, whether it reduces the company's footprint or improves outcomes for users.
• Match the budget request to the correct project type and ensure the voucher is used only for eligible external services.
• Prepare a concise project plan, because the evaluation starts with eligibility and completeness before expert scoring.
• Plan for a mentor supported implementation, since each beneficiary is assigned a Lead Mentor.