Innovative space-based applications enhancing capabilities for a resilient Europe

The Horizon Europe funding opportunity titled "Innovative space-based applications enhancing capabilities for a resilient Europe" (HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-52) is set to open on October 22, 2025, and will close on February 24, 2026. The total budget for this call is 5 million EUR, with individual project grants expected to range between 1.5 million and 1.8 million EUR, targeting the development of innovative space applications aimed at enhancing the capabilities of crisis and security practitioners across Europe.

This initiative requires participation from at least two crisis or security practitioner organizations located in different EU Member States or Associated Countries, highlighting the need for cross-border collaboration. Eligible applicants include industry stakeholders (especially small and medium enterprises), universities, crisis and security practitioners, and entities from countries without a strong tradition in space technology.

The projects funded under this opportunity should focus on achieving Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) between 7 and 9 by their conclusion, emphasizing the need for solutions that are close to market and pertinent to operational environments. The primary sector targets include space technology applications alongside security and crisis management, especially in areas like digital infrastructure, healthcare, environmental crime management, and counter-terrorism.

The call expects applicants to demonstrate a clear commercial potential for their solutions, incorporating aspects such as enhanced cybersecurity measures and utilization of key features of the Galileo and EGNOS systems. Proposals should also include a business plan that outlines user requirements, sustainability, and pathways for broader adoption of the developed technology.

Overall, this EU funding opportunity provides a focused channel for fostering innovative solutions in the realm of security and crisis management, underpinned by collaborative efforts across European nations, encouraging significant advancements in the effective deployment of space-based technologies in critical operational areas.

This is a Horizon Europe call for proposals under the Services & Data coming from satellites, specifically targeting innovative space-based applications to enhance capabilities for a resilient Europe. The call falls under the HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE program and includes two specific topics: HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-51 and HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-52. Both topics are HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and utilize 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 October 22, 2025, and a deadline of February 24, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes for projects funded under this call include:
1. Development and validation of integrated synergistic space technologies to support crisis and security practitioners.
2. Improvement, operationalization, and mainstreaming of EGNSS and Earth observation-based services to enhance EU resilience and security, including cybersecurity.
3. Increased uptake and penetration of EU Space Programme data and services, particularly EGNSS differentiators, in the operations of crisis and security practitioners. These EGNSS differentiators include:
 * OSNMA (Open Service Navigation Message Authentication)
 * HAS (High Accuracy Service)
 * RLS (Return Link Service)
 * EWSS (Emergency Warning Satellite Service)
4. Identification of capability gaps of security practitioners that space technologies can bridge.
5. Creation of new space-based commercial opportunities for innovative businesses serving practitioner organizations.

The scope of the proposals should focus on exploiting the features of Galileo and EGNOS to improve crisis and security operations. The proposals should develop applications and technologies with a clear focus on commercial exploitation in one of the following priority areas:
1. Development of EGNSS-based spoofing-proof downstream solutions to support the digital transformation of security practitioners in security-critical operations. Applications include:
 * Environmental crimes management
 * Prevention of smuggling and trafficking
 * Counter-terrorism
 * Border and maritime surveillance
 * Migration management
 * Fugitive search
 * Public safety and fundamental rights
 * Illegal poaching
 * Customs operations and Electronic Freight Transport Information
 * Dangerous goods transportation
 * Usage of robots and/or automated Galileo-enabled platforms for surveillance
2. Development of EGNSS-based downstream solutions to support the resiliency and functioning of critical infrastructures in the EU, such as:
 * Digital infrastructure
 * Drinking water supply and distribution
 * Water waste management
 * Healthcare
 * E-government
3. Development of EGNSS-based downstream solutions to support crisis management operations, including:
 * Drone-supported operations
 * Improved and safer asset management systems
 * AR/VR for first responders
 * Novel EGNSS smartphone-sized or wearable technologies
 * UneXploded Ordnance (UXO) risk assessment and clearance for humanitarian operations

Proposals are expected to address cybersecurity threats. They should also integrate other data sources/services from EU Space Programme components like Copernicus and/or GOVSATCOM, where relevant. Interaction with the relevant Entrusted Entities managing the Copernicus Emergency Management Service and/or the Copernicus Security Service is encouraged.

The action emphasizes the development of close-to-market EGNSS downstream applications through large-scale demonstration and implementation projects, involving crisis and/or security practitioners. The developed applications should have a defined commercial potential and address user needs, achieving a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7-9 by the project's end.

Proposals should deliver innovative applications, identify existing gaps, leverage sectorial regulations and policies, and explore how space data and services can address these regulations for commercialization. A clear market uptake strategy and a credible post-project pathway to operations are essential. The developed solutions may integrate non-space technologies like IoT, big data, artificial intelligence, drones, 5G, and augmented/mixed reality.

Additional requirements include:
* A Business Plan to evidence user requirements, project sustainability, and opportunities for wide adoption in Europe.
* Encouragement of industry participation, especially SMEs and midcaps.
* Encouragement of participation from entities in countries without a strong space tradition.
* Encouragement of involvement of post-graduate researchers.
* Proposals addressing Galileo PRS (Public Regulated Service) related applications are excluded.
* Synergies with Horizon Europe Cluster 3: Civil security for society, are encouraged.
* Integration of the gender dimension is required if relevant to the research objectives.

The admissibility conditions include 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 listed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Other eligibility conditions mandate the use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS if projects utilize satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services. Furthermore, participation of at least two crisis or security practitioner organizations from two different EU Member States or Associated Countries is required. Applicants with practitioner status must complete the “Information about security practitioners” table in the application form.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. The award criteria, scoring, and thresholds aim to ensure a balanced portfolio across the scope's areas, with grants awarded to top-ranked applications within each priority area, provided they meet all thresholds. The Business Plan will be evaluated under the Impact criterion, as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Submission and evaluation processes are detailed 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.

The Commission estimates an EU contribution of EUR 1.50 to 1.80 million for topic HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-52 and EUR 1.5 to 2.5 million for topic HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-51, but different amounts can be requested.

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, along with standard evaluation form templates. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, call-specific instructions, detailed budget table, information on financial support to third parties, and guidance on lump sums. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2025, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme, EU Financial Regulation, and various guidelines and manuals.

The budget overview indicates that HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-51 has a budget of EUR 10,000,000 with an indicative number of 5 grants, while HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-52 has a budget of EUR 5,000,000 with an indicative number of 4 grants.

This funding opportunity aims to foster the development and commercialization of innovative space-based applications that enhance the resilience and security of Europe, particularly in the context of crisis and security operations. It encourages the use of EU Space Programme data and services, such as Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and GOVSATCOM, and promotes collaboration between industry, research organizations, and crisis/security practitioners. The focus is on developing close-to-market solutions with a clear commercial potential and a well-defined market uptake strategy. The call also emphasizes the importance of addressing cybersecurity threats and leveraging synergies with other relevant Horizon Europe clusters.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include, but are not limited to, industry (especially SMEs and midcaps), research organizations, crisis and security practitioners (law enforcement, customs, first/second responders, critical infrastructure operators, border or coast guards, civil protection authorities), and entities based in countries without a space tradition. Involvement of post-graduate researchers (engineers, scientists, and others) is also encouraged.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum. The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS].

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. The additional eligibility criteria specify the participation, as beneficiaries, of at least two crisis or security practitioner organizations or agencies, established in at least two different EU Member States or Associated Countries.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Associated Countries. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The target sectors are primarily space, security, and crisis management, with a focus on developing downstream applications using EGNSS (Galileo and EGNOS) and potentially integrating other EU Space Programme components like Copernicus and GOVSATCOM. It also targets sectors that benefit from enhanced security and resilience, such as digital infrastructure, water management, healthcare, e-government, environmental crime management, transportation, and humanitarian aid. Technologies like IoT, big data, artificial intelligence, drones, 5G, and augmented/mixed reality are relevant for integration.

Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, Associated Countries, and non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have made specific provisions for funding.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7-9, indicating a focus on demonstration and implementation projects close to market.

Funding Amount: The Commission estimates an EU contribution of between EUR 1.50 and 1.80 million for topic HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-52 and between EUR 1.50 and 2.50 million for topic HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-51. However, the submission and selection of proposals requesting different amounts is not precluded.

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage open call.

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

Application Stages: Applicants have to pass through a single stage to obtain this opportunity.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants is specified as 5 for HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-51 and 4 for HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE-02-52.

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

Summary:

This Horizon Europe funding opportunity, under the call Services & Data coming from satellites (HORIZON-EUSPA-2026-SPACE), aims to foster the development and validation of innovative space-based applications that enhance the capabilities of crisis and security practitioners in Europe. The focus is on leveraging the distinguishing features of Galileo and EGNOS, and potentially integrating other EU Space Programme components like Copernicus and GOVSATCOM, to create commercially viable solutions. Projects should address cybersecurity threats and deliver new applications that identify and bridge existing gaps in the security sector. The funding supports demonstration and implementation projects, requiring the participation of at least two crisis or security practitioner organizations from different EU Member States or Associated Countries. The expected TRL is 7-9, indicating a close-to-market focus. The EU contribution is estimated between EUR 1.50 and 2.50 million per project, awarded as a lump sum. Proposals should include a business plan to demonstrate user requirements, sustainability, and opportunities for wide adoption in Europe. The call encourages the participation of industry, SMEs, midcaps, entities from countries without a space tradition, and post-graduate researchers. Proposals addressing Galileo PRS related applications are not in the scope of this action. The submission deadline is February 24, 2026.