Preparing demonstration missions for collaborative Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunication for Space solutions (Space Partnership)

The grant opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, titled HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-34, is aimed at preparing demonstration missions for collaborative Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunications solutions. This initiative emphasizes innovation in space technologies as part of the European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems and has a total budget of €26 million, with funding for up to four projects, each expected to receive between €5 million and €10 million.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as industries, SMEs, research institutions, and academic organizations based in the EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland. The participation is strictly limited to these geographic regions to ensure compliance with the EU's strategic interests.

The funding mechanism is established as a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, aiming to simplify the administrative process for beneficiaries who will receive a predetermined amount instead of reimbursement for costs incurred. This program encourages the formation of consortia, requiring collaboration among various sectors to effectively address the complexities associated with Earth Observation and Satellite communications.

Projects must operate at Technology Readiness Levels 6 to 8, focusing on practical applications that transition technologies from research to commercial deployment. The application process involves a single-stage submission, with proposals due by September 2, 2027. The call is set to open on March 9, 2027.

Successful projects will leverage existing EU technologies and must demonstrate a clear pathway to commercial viability, thus contributing to the EU's strategic autonomy and enhancing its competitive edge in the global space sector. No explicit co-funding requirements are mentioned, although leveraging additional resources is encouraged.

Overall, this opportunity reflects the EU's commitment to strengthening its space infrastructure, advancing critical technologies, and fostering cooperation across various sectors to achieve sustainability and competitiveness in space solutions.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-34, focusing on preparing demonstration missions for collaborative Earth Observation (EO) and Satellite telecommunication (SatCom) for Space solutions, under the Space Partnership. This call falls under the broader scope of digital developments and "digitalisation for commercial space solutions". The call aims to foster a competitive and sustainable European Space Sector, enable the European Space Industry to maintain a significant share of the global connectivity market, and advance EO and SatCom technologies.

The expected outcomes include:
Favouring a competitive and sustainable European Space Sector.
Enabling the European Space Industry to maintain a significant share of the global connectivity market.
Advanced Earth observation and SatCom payloads, technologies and processing means (on ground and in space).
Advanced EO and SatCom fostering AI across space system.
Enhanced security of SatCom and EO services, supporting advanced technologies for both ground and space commercial applications.
End-to-end demonstrator for collaborative Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunication for Space solutions.

The scope of the call encompasses Research and Innovation (R&I) in the following areas:
R&I on End-to-End SatCom Mission capabilities, secure satcom services and satellites as network nodes, and digital on-ground infrastructure to test and enhance operational efficiency.
R&I on Earth Observation equipment, subsystems, applications and services, improving data processing for performance or timeliness, smart multi-sources EO data fusion, fostering interoperability among EO missions, miniaturisation of instrument designs and EO ground segment interfaces, digitalised technology steps such as high-performance cloud-based architectures and active and adaptative optics and/or higher-power electronics.
R&I on building blocks and processes common to EO and SatCom systems, such as on-board processing capabilities, maturing high performance processing payload H/W to support space network capabilities and reducing environmental impact of future missions, maturation of technologies and products improving system security and threats identification, characterization and possible mitigation and RF and optical hybrid ground stations for anchoring services.

The call encourages cooperation between industry, SMEs, research institutions, infrastructures, and academia. It emphasizes the use of existing EU technologies and building blocks to contribute to EU non-dependence and strengthen competitiveness. Activities should be complementary to H2020, Horizon Europe funded projects, national activities, and ESA activities. The integration of the gender dimension is encouraged where relevant.

The call is a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). It follows a single-stage submission process. The planned opening date is 09 March 2027, and the deadline for submission is 02 September 2027 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The budget overview for the SPACE call in 2027 is as follows:
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-12 - HORIZON-IA: EUR 5,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 3,000,000, with an indicative number of 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-21 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 980,000, contributions ranging from EUR 800,000 to EUR 1,000,000, with an indicative number of 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-33 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 4,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 1,500,000 to EUR 3,000,000, with an indicative number of 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-34 - HORIZON-IA: EUR 26,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000, with an indicative number of 4 grants.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-71 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 29,200,000, contributions ranging from EUR 14,000,000 to EUR 15,000,000, with an indicative number of 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-83 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 490,000, contributions ranging from EUR 250,000 to EUR 300,000, with an indicative number of 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-84 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 490,000, contributions ranging from EUR 250,000 to EUR 300,000, with an indicative number of 1 grant.

Admissibility conditions, eligible countries, and financial/operational capacity are detailed in the General Annexes of the Horizon Europe Work Programme. Participation is limited to legal entities from Member States, Norway, and Iceland. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may participate under specific conditions and guarantees.

Eligible proposals exceeding evaluation thresholds will be awarded a STEP Seal. Grants will be awarded to ensure a balanced portfolio across development areas, with at least one top-ranked proposal funded in each area, provided it meets all thresholds.

Application forms, evaluation templates, the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, call-specific instructions, and guidance 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.

This funding opportunity aims to bolster the European space sector by supporting research and innovation in satellite communications and earth observation, encouraging collaboration, and promoting the use of EU technologies to enhance competitiveness and strategic autonomy. It seeks to develop more flexible and reactive space-based services, contributing to the overall digitalization of commercial space solutions.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is open to a wide range of actors including industry, SMEs, research institutions and infrastructures, and academia. The call specifically encourages cooperation between these different types of applicants.

Funding Type: The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, under the Horizon Europe Programme. Both HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) are utilized.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity encourages cooperation between different actors, suggesting that a consortium is preferred, although not explicitly stated as mandatory.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Norway, and Iceland. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may participate under specific, justified conditions and guarantees.

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 developments and digitalization for commercial space solutions, artificial intelligence, and security for space applications.

Mentioned Countries: Member States of the EU, Norway, and Iceland are explicitly mentioned as eligible countries.

Project Stage: The program targets projects with Mid to High Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), contributing to the preparation of EO and SatCom demonstration missions.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-12: EUR 5,000,000 (Contributions: EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 3,000,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-21: EUR 980,000 (Contributions: EUR 800,000 to EUR 1,000,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-33: EUR 4,000,000 (Contributions: EUR 1,500,000 to EUR 3,000,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-34: EUR 26,000,000 (Contributions: EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-71: EUR 29,200,000 (Contributions: EUR 14,000,000 to EUR 15,000,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-83: EUR 490,000 (Contributions: EUR 250,000 to EUR 300,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-84: EUR 490,000 (Contributions: EUR 250,000 to EUR 300,000)

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 lump sum grants to cover eligible costs.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants is provided for each topic, allowing for an estimation based on the number of expected proposals.

Co-funding Requirement: The need for co-funding is not explicitly mentioned.

Summary:
This Horizon Europe call, under the SPACE destination of Cluster 4, aims to bolster the competitiveness and sustainability of the European space sector through the co-programmed European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems. It focuses on actions related to satellite communication, Earth Observation, and New Commercial Space Transportation Solutions, all under the umbrella of digital transformation. The call seeks to fund projects that develop and deploy global, flexible, and reactive space-based services, contributing to the EU's strategic autonomy and digital leadership.

The scope encompasses research and innovation activities across several key areas: enhancing SatCom mission capabilities and security, advancing Earth Observation technologies and data processing, and developing common building blocks for EO and SatCom systems. Projects should foster collaboration between industry, SMEs, research institutions, and academia, and are encouraged to leverage existing EU technologies and infrastructure.

Eligible applicants include a broad range of legal entities from EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland, with specific provisions for entities controlled by non-eligible countries under strict guarantee conditions. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the application process consists of a single stage, with the submission deadline on September 2, 2027. Successful projects will contribute to the development of advanced payloads, improved data processing techniques, enhanced security for space services, and end-to-end demonstrators for collaborative EO and SatCom solutions, ultimately strengthening the EU's position in the global space market.