Game-changing innovations for European launch solutions

The grant opportunity titled "Game-changing innovations for European launch solutions" (PPPA-2025-LAUNCHERS-INNOVATIONS) is part of the EU Space Programme and falls under the framework of Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPA). This initiative targets fostering innovative solutions that can enhance access to space and improve the competitiveness of the European space industry.

Eligible applicants include legal entities such as natural persons, public bodies, and private bodies established in EU Member States. These entities must have their decision-making centers and associated activities centered within the EU territories. Applications must be submitted before the deadline of October 7, 2025, using the electronic submission system of the Funding & Tenders Portal.

The funding type is structured as a grant, with a total budget of EUR 5 million allocated for the prize. The top five applicants are expected to receive EUR 950,000 each, while the remaining budget will fund the management of the prize and remuneration for experts. The prize aims to support low maturity innovations, which encompass new ideas, technologies, products, and processes that promise to revolutionize access to space. It specifically excludes complete launch solutions.

This opportunity is framed as a single-stage open call that does not explicitly require consortium submissions, allowing for single applicants. The project aims to validate innovations by achieving Technology Readiness Level 5 by the project's conclusion. There is no co-funding requirement noted in the documentation, suggesting that the projects will be fully funded by the EU.

While no specific countries are mentioned, the focus is inherently EU-wide, as participation is limited to EU Member States and associated entities. The call emphasizes adhering to ethical standards and legal compliance in all proposed activities.

This competitive prize is designed to incite interest, collaboration, and investment in the European space ecosystem, encouraging the development of innovative solutions that promote cheaper, sustainable, agile, and resilient access to space. It aims to attract both established players and newcomers in the space sector, providing a significant opportunity for those with groundbreaking ideas.

Relevant application guidelines and documentation are available for download, facilitating potential applicants in understanding the requirements and submission processes. The call was opened on May 13, 2025, marking a vital opportunity for innovators within the European space industry to receive substantial funding for their contributions.

This EU funding opportunity is a prize call under the EU Space Programme, specifically targeting game-changing innovations for European launch solutions. It falls under the Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPA) and is managed by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS). The call aims to support the development of innovations that can revolutionize access to space and enhance the competitiveness of the European space industry.

The total budget for the prize is EUR 5 million. The expected EU contribution per project is structured such that the top five ranked winners will each receive EUR 950,000. The remaining EUR 250,000 of the budget will be used for managing the prize implementation and for the remuneration of experts.

The type of action is a Preparatory Action Reward Prize.

To be admissible, applications must be submitted before the call deadline, which is October 7, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. Submissions must be made electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System. Paper submissions are not allowed. The application must be complete, readable, accessible, and printable, including all required annexes and supporting documents. The application consists of Application Form Part A (administrative information filled in online) and Application Form Part B (technical description, downloaded, completed, and re-uploaded). Part B is limited to a maximum of 70 pages. Additional documents may be requested later for legal entity validation, ethics review, etc.

Eligible participants must be legal entities (natural persons, public or private bodies) established in an EU Member State, with their decision-making center and activities related to research, development, manufacturing, and operations located within the territories of EU Member States. Applicants must not be subject to restrictions originating from Member States outside of the EU. Registration in the Participant Register and validation by the Central Validation Service (REA Validation) are mandatory. Entities without legal personality may exceptionally participate under specific conditions. Entities subject to EU restrictive measures or covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05 are not eligible.

Eligible activities are those set out in Section 2 of the call document, and the activities must be carried out in EU Member States.

Activities must comply with the highest ethical standards, applicable EU, international, and national law, and basic EU values. Activities must adhere to ethical principles and may not aim at human cloning for reproductive purposes, intend to modify the genetic heritage of human beings in a heritable manner (with exceptions for cancer treatment of the gonads), or intend to create human embryos solely for research or stem cell procurement. Applications involving ethics issues will undergo an ethics review.

The objectives of the prize are to foster novel ways to improve the competitiveness of the European space industry and to prepare for the next generation of innovative solutions for cheaper, more sustainable, agile, and resilient access to space. The prize rewards low maturity innovations, from new ideas and concepts to technologies, products, processes, or digital solutions, that can revolutionize access to space. The prize is open to innovations from the entire supply chain contributing to access to space, excluding complete launch solutions.

The expected result is the awarding of prizes to innovators who deliver new solutions to the challenge of resilient and competitive EU access to space. The call aims to spur interest, incite new collaborations, incentivize change, attract new dynamic innovators, mobilize additional private investment, generate solutions, and encourage an EU innovative access to space ecosystem, while developing or opening markets in new areas.

The call opened on May 13, 2025, and closes on October 7, 2025. The indicative number of grants is five, with contributions ranging from EUR 900,000 to EUR 950,000.

The call document is call-fiche_pppa-2025-launchers_en.pdf, available for download. Additional documents include EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

This funding opportunity is essentially a competition where innovators in the European space industry can win a substantial prize for their groundbreaking ideas. The EU is looking for innovations that can make access to space cheaper, more sustainable, and more reliable. If you have a novel concept, technology, or solution that can significantly improve the European space industry's competitiveness, this prize could provide the funding and recognition needed to bring your idea to fruition. The focus is on early-stage innovations, so even if your idea is not fully developed, it could still be a strong contender. The EU wants to encourage new collaborations and attract fresh talent to the space sector, so this is a great opportunity for both established players and newcomers to make a significant impact.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are legal entities, which include natural persons, public bodies, and private bodies. Applicants must be established in one of the EU Member States, with the decision-making center and activities related to research, development, manufacturing, and operations located within the territories of EU Member States. Furthermore, applicants must not be subject to restrictions originating from Member States outside of the EU.

Funding Type: The funding type is a reward prize, specifically a Preparatory Action Reward Prize.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the documentation refers to "applicant organizations" suggesting that consortia are possible, but single applicants are also likely eligible as the definition of eligible participants includes both natural persons and public or private bodies.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is limited to Member States of the European Union. Activities must be carried out within the territories of EU Member States.

Target Sector: The target sector is the space industry, specifically focusing on access to space and game-changing innovations for European launch solutions. This includes the entire supply chain contributing to the access to space domain, except for complete launch solutions.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions that activities must be carried out in Member States of the European Union. Therefore, the relevant region is the EU.

Project Stage: The project stage targets low maturity innovations, ranging from new ideas and concepts to technologies, products, processes, or digital solutions. The focus is on innovations that are not yet available and go beyond the state of the art for access to space.

Funding Amount: The overall budget for the prize is EUR 5 million. The first five ranked winners will each receive a prize of EUR 950,000. The remaining EUR 250,000 will be used to manage the prize implementation and remunerate the experts involved.

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

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a reward prize.

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rate can be inferred from the information provided. With a total budget of EUR 5 million and five prizes awarded at EUR 950,000 each, the success rate is likely to be below 10%, as the number of applications is expected to be significantly higher than the number of prizes awarded.

Co-funding Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This EU funding opportunity is a reward prize aimed at fostering game-changing innovations in the European space industry, specifically in the area of access to space. The European Commission, through its Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), is managing this call, which is part of a preparatory action to support the development of innovative solutions for cheaper, more sustainable, agile, and resilient access to space. The prize is open to legal entities, including individuals and public or private bodies, established in EU Member States. The focus is on low maturity innovations across the entire supply chain, excluding complete launch solutions. The total budget for the prize is EUR 5 million, with the top five innovators each receiving EUR 950,000. The application process is a single-stage electronic submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal, with a deadline of October 7, 2025. The initiative seeks to stimulate interest, collaboration, and investment in the EU's space ecosystem, encouraging the development of new markets and innovative solutions for resilient and competitive access to space.