ISOS4I Pilot Mission Integrated Ground Test and consolidation of space-compatible USI solutions

The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-21 seeks proposals for the ISOS4I Pilot Mission Integrated Ground Test and consolidation of space-compatible Universal Service Interface (USI) solutions. This initiative is under the Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) funding type, with a budget allocation ranging from €800,000 to €1,000,000, targeting a total indicative budget of €980,000 for 2027. The application process is single-stage, beginning on March 9, 2027, and closing on September 2, 2027, requiring a maximum of 45 pages for proposals.

Eligible applicants include legal entities established in EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland, with a mandate for cooperation among industry, SMEs, and research institutions. Participation is limited to these regions to preserve the EU's strategic autonomy, with restrictions applying to entities controlled by non-eligible countries unless adequate guarantees are provided.

The call emphasizes collaborating with beneficiaries of the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination & Support Action, mandating involvement from previously engaged entities. Proposals must demonstrate technological readiness, aiming to achieve Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6-7 by the project's conclusion. The program emphasizes active demonstration and validation works, rather than basic research.

The funding supports costs associated with conducting integrated ground tests and developing USI solutions, along with promotional materials for public dissemination. The nature of support is primarily monetary, provided as a lump sum rather than traditional cost reimbursements.

Proposals are expected to integrate diverse technological capabilities, indicating a competitive landscape with only one project expected to be funded, suggesting a low success rate. There is no co-funding requirement explicitly stated; however, collaboration is encouraged to enhance competitiveness.

In summary, this opportunity focuses on enhancing Europe's capabilities in space, aiming to establish a sustainable in-space economy by developing efficient spacecraft servicing technologies and fostering European technological independence. The initiative is aligned with strategic objectives to bolster EU presence and competitiveness in the global space sector, positioned for commercial scalability by 2030.

This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call, specifically SPACE (HORIZON-CL4-2027-03), for the topic ISOS4I Pilot Mission Integrated Ground Test and consolidation of space-compatible USI solutions, identified as HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-21. It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The deadline model is single-stage. The planned opening date is 09 March 2027, and the deadline date is 02 September 2027 at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The application page limit is 45 pages.

The strategic objective is to develop capabilities to ‘Act in Space’ through demonstrating in space a pilot mission by 2030 related to ISOS. The envisaged ISOS pilot mission shall provide the necessary seed components for a future service infrastructure, available to the European in-space ecosystem (including the EU assets), driving the generation of a new in-space economy, providing enhanced in-orbit technology demonstration and maximising EU technology non-dependence.

Expected outcomes include:
1. An in-space economy, building on innovative technologies and concepts for a sustainable infrastructure and value-adding services in space, e.g. plug-and-play spacecraft functionality introducing recycling/re-use of spacecraft modules/functionalities, and satellite upgrades and payload exchange for mission adaptivity.
2. ISOS4I pilot mission preparation up to detailed mission and system detail design, and ground demonstrator, as well as promotion of the mission to the wider public.
3. Consolidated and space-verified USI solution(s) for European space actors.

The scope includes the following Research and Innovation (R&I) actions:
1. Supporting the ISOS Pilot mission detailed mission and system design, demonstrating in an integrated ground test (TRL6) the interoperability of the developed mission components ground prototypes (i.e., Servicing, HOST, Logistic and satAPPs) with all applicable servicing interfaces and the baseline demonstration scenarios as defined in the technical annex.
2. Final maturation, verification and qualification (TRL7) of the consolidated USI solution(s) recommended by the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination and Support Action, considering opportunities for IOD/V.
3. Development of a ISOS4I promotion video and VR experience for dissemination purposes, showcasing the pilot mission concept with its baseline demonstration scenario and the evolution towards an in-space service infrastructure leading to manifold business opportunities as part of a wider in-space economy.

Proposals should promote cooperation between different actors (industry, SMEs and research institutions) and consider opportunities to quickly turn technological innovation into commercial use. They should describe how previous and/or ongoing R&I of the mission components and any required additional technologies for the proposed ground test will be integrated and involve entities part of the key technology and service provider group, as necessary. Proposals should clearly identify the test facility/ies to be used for the ground demonstrator and build on the outcome of the CSA activities on (1) “Proposal for an as much as possible integrated ground demonstrator bringing together the different mission components at the end of their detailed design phase” and (2) “Proposal for USIs consolidation, i.e., selection of a single USI European solution or approach allowing compatibility with multiple solutions (required for the HC)”. Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project, referencing ISO 16290:2013 for the space sector. Proposals should consider and contribute to a balanced provision of Member States’ and eligible Associated Countries’ expertise and capabilities to the overall ISOS pilot mission. The project will be a Linked Action and is expected to closely collaborate with those selected under topics HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-21, 22, 23, 24 and ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination and Support Action. The integration of the gender dimension should be addressed if relevant.

Additional eligibility criteria include that beneficiaries must include the beneficiaries of the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination & Support Action, awarded under Other actions not subject to calls for proposals, from the Horizon Europe Cluster 4 Work Programme 2025. If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Norway and Iceland. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may not participate unless guarantees are provided.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

The following documents are available: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview for 2027 includes:
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-12 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 5,000,000 EUR, contributions of 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 EUR, 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-21 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 980,000 EUR, contributions of 800,000 to 1,000,000 EUR, 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-33 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 4,000,000 EUR, contributions of 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 EUR, 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-34 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 26,000,000 EUR, contributions of 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 EUR, 4 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-71 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 29,200,000 EUR, contributions of 14,000,000 to 15,000,000 EUR, 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-83 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 490,000 EUR, contributions of 250,000 to 300,000 EUR, 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-84 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 490,000 EUR, contributions of 250,000 to 300,000 EUR, 1 grant

This Horizon Europe call focuses on developing Europe's capabilities in space, specifically to "Act in Space". It aims to create a sustainable and innovative in-space economy by demonstrating a pilot mission related to In-Space Servicing and Operations (ISOS) by 2030. The call seeks to validate ISOS4I mission components through integrated ground tests, mature Universal Service Interface (USI) solutions, and promote the ISOS4I mission through outreach activities. The goal is to foster European competitiveness in the space sector, ensure EU's autonomy in space activities, and develop global space-based services. The call encourages collaboration between industry, SMEs, and research institutions, and expects projects to achieve Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6-7. It is a lump sum funding opportunity with a single-stage submission process, opening in March 2027 and closing in September 2027.

Eligible Applicant Types: The call is open to industry, SMEs, and research institutions. The call specifies that beneficiaries must include the beneficiaries of the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination & Support Action, awarded under Other actions not subject to calls for proposals, from the Horizon Europe Cluster 4 Work Programme 2025. Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Norway, and Iceland. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries or entities may be restricted.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA). Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: The call expects proposals to promote cooperation between different actors (industry, SMEs, and research institutions), suggesting a consortium is preferred.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is limited to legal entities established in EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland.

Target Sector: The target sector is space, specifically focusing on in-space services, space infrastructure, and the space economy. The call targets technologies and concepts for sustainable infrastructure and value-adding services in space, such as plug-and-play spacecraft functionality, recycling/re-use of spacecraft modules/functionalities, and satellite upgrades and payload exchange for mission adaptivity.

Mentioned Countries: Iceland, Norway, EU Member States, EEA countries.

Project Stage: The activities are expected to achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6-7 by the end of the project. This indicates a development and demonstration stage.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is approximately 980,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 800,000 EUR to 1,000,000 EUR. One grant is expected to be awarded.

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

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: The success rate cannot be determined from the provided text.

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

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-21, aims to foster the development of capabilities for in-space services, contributing to the EU's "Act in Space" strategic objective. The call focuses on validating ISOS4I mission components through integrated ground tests and consolidating space-compatible Universal Service Interface (USI) solutions. The goal is to create a sustainable in-space service infrastructure, enhance the European space sector's competitiveness, and promote EU's autonomy in space.

Eligible applicants include industry, SMEs, and research institutions from EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland. The selected projects will receive a lump sum grant to support research and innovation activities, targeting TRL 6-7. Proposals should promote cooperation between different actors and demonstrate the interoperability of mission components, mature USI solutions, and develop promotional materials for the ISOS4I pilot mission. The call emphasizes the importance of aligning with the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination & Support Action and contributing to a balanced provision of expertise from Member States and Associated Countries. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a deadline of September 2, 2027. The expected outcome includes an in-space economy, detailed mission and system design for the ISOS4I pilot mission, and consolidated USI solutions for European space actors.