Scientific analysis and exploitation of space data

The HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-61 funding opportunity, titled "Scientific analysis and exploitation of space data," is part of Horizon Europe, aimed at advancing space science through innovative data analysis. The total budget for this initiative is €3.92 million, with expectations to fund two projects, each receiving between €1.5 million and €2.5 million. The call opens on March 10, 2026, and closes on September 3, 2026, under a single-stage application process.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, and research organizations from the EU and Associated Countries, with strong encouragement for international collaboration with countries involved in space exploration. The primary focus is on areas such as astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, and heliophysics, emphasizing the analysis and exploitation of data from European Space Agency missions and other relevant sources.

The funding mechanism is a lump sum grant, simplifying administrative processes by providing fixed contributions instead of reimbursing actual costs. No co-funding is required, allowing beneficiaries to concentrate fully on project execution.

Projects should leverage advanced data processing techniques, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to maximize scientific returns from existing space data. The aim is to enhance European leadership in space science, increase the volume of scientific publications based on space data, and facilitate collaboration within and outside Europe to strengthen scientific partnerships.

The initiative aligns with EU strategies on digital innovation and aims to feed enhanced data products back into ESA Space Science archives. Overall, this competitive funding opportunity seeks to extract significant scientific value from European space missions and enhance the capabilities of space data analysis in the research community.

This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call, specifically SPACE (HORIZON-CL4-2026-03), focusing on the scientific analysis and exploitation of space data. The call includes several topics, each with its own budget, type of action, and indicative number of grants. All topics follow a single-stage deadline model, with a planned opening date of March 10, 2026, and a deadline of September 3, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The type of MGA (Model Grant Agreement) is HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS].

The overarching goal is to foster European space science breakthroughs by analyzing and exploiting data from European missions, including low-cost/small satellites, and instruments, potentially in conjunction with international missions. The data may also originate from European in-orbit validation experiments with a focus on space science and exploration. The projects should aim to increase the number of European scientific publications based on space data, make high-level data products available through appropriate archives, and develop tools and methods for advanced data processing. Increased collaboration among scientific teams within and outside Europe, across different domains, is also encouraged, to add value to existing activities and enhance research partnerships, ultimately contributing to European scientific excellence.

The scope includes the analysis, validation, and exploitation of acquired and available data from scientific and exploration instruments and missions in their pre-operative, operative, post-operative, or data exploitation phase. The focus areas are astronomy and astrophysics, cosmology, heliophysics, deep space, and solar system exploration. The activities should be complementary to those already supported by agencies during development phases. Data from CubeSat and small satellite missions for advancing space science and exploration are also relevant.

The data to be analyzed should primarily come from science and exploration missions, including cubesat and small satellite missions, from ESA, national space agencies, research organizations, and universities. Earth observing missions are explicitly excluded. The analysis may require innovative and advanced data processing techniques, including artificial intelligence, novel statistical approaches, multidimensional data fusion, optimized use of advanced computing hardware architectures, and novel data representation and visualization techniques.

Projects can utilize data available through ESA Space Science Archives or other means, such as instrumentation teams. Combining and correlating data with international scientific mission data and relevant data from ground-based infrastructures worldwide is encouraged. The activities should add scientific value through data analysis, leading to scientific publications, higher-level data products, tools, and methods. Enhanced data products should be suitable for feeding back into the ESA Space Science archives. The resulting analyses should help prepare future European and international missions.

International cooperation is encouraged, particularly with countries active in space exploration and space science. The integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content should be addressed if relevant to the research objectives.

General conditions for participation include adherence to proposal page limits and layout guidelines 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 described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services, they must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D. Submission and evaluation processes are detailed in Annex F and the Online Manual, while the indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also in Annex F. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of July 7, 2021.

Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme. Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the standard application form (HE RIA, IA). Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including the standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, call-specific instructions, detailed budget table (HE LS), and guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 (General Introduction, Digital, Industry and Space, and General Annexes), HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, the Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview for the call is as follows:

HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-11 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 22,590,000 EUR, contributions ranging from 10,000,000 to 15,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-31 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 12,000,000 EUR, contributions ranging from 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 3 grants.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-32 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 26,000,000 EUR, contributions ranging from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 4 grants.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-61 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 3,920,000 EUR, contributions ranging from 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 2 grants.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-81 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 12,740,000 EUR, contributions ranging from 12,000,000 to 13,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-82 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 6,860,000 EUR, contributions ranging from 6,000,000 to 7,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-85 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 3,920,000 EUR, contributions ranging from 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 1 grant.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-86 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 2,940,000 EUR, contributions ranging from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 1 grant.

Partner search announcements are available for collaboration on this topic. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

This Horizon Europe call aims to unlock the full potential of European space missions by funding projects that analyze and exploit the vast amounts of data they generate. It's about taking existing space data, validating it, and turning it into new scientific discoveries, advanced data products, and innovative tools. The call encourages researchers to use cutting-edge techniques like AI and multidimensional data fusion to extract maximum value from the data. By fostering collaboration and supporting the development of enhanced data products, the EU hopes to strengthen European space science and prepare for future missions. The funding is provided as a lump sum, meaning applicants need to carefully plan their budget and activities to achieve the desired outcomes.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the context of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), the eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, national space agencies, other research organizations, SMEs, large enterprises, and other legal entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The mention of "ESA, national space agencies, research organisations and universities missions" suggests these are key potential applicants.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the "Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]" designation. The 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.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the nature of Horizon Europe projects and the encouragement of international cooperation and collaboration across different domains, it is highly likely that a consortium of multiple applicants is preferred, if not required. The partner search announcements further suggest that consortia are expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is for EU and associated countries, as indicated by the reference to Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. However, the text also mentions that "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," suggesting that participation from certain third countries is possible under specific conditions. International cooperation is encouraged, particularly with countries active in space exploration and space science.

Target Sector: The primary target sector is space, with a focus on the analysis and exploitation of space data. Specific thematic areas include astronomy and astrophysics, cosmology, heliophysics, deep space and solar system exploration. The program also targets the use of advanced data processing techniques, artificial intelligence, novel statistical approaches, multidimensional data fusion, advanced computing hardware architectures, and novel data representation and visualization techniques.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the European Union (EU), non-EU/non-Associated Countries, and countries active in space exploration and space science are referenced.

Project Stage: The project stage targets projects in the data exploitation phase, including pre-operative, operative, and post-operative phases of scientific and exploration instruments and missions. This suggests a focus on research, development, validation, and demonstration stages, rather than purely idea or commercialization stages.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call. The budget overview provides the following ranges:
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-11: €10,000,000 to €15,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-31: €3,000,000 to €6,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-32: €5,000,000 to €10,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-61: €1,500,000 to €2,500,000
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-81: €12,000,000 to €13,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-82: €6,000,000 to €7,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-85: €3,000,000 to €4,000,000
HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-86: €2,000,000 to €3,000,000

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 a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: Success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

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

Summary:
This Horizon Europe call, under the SPACE program (HORIZON-CL4-2026-03), aims to foster European space science breakthroughs by funding projects focused on the analysis and exploitation of space data. The call targets a wide range of space-related themes, including astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, heliophysics, and solar system exploration. It encourages the use of innovative data processing techniques, such as artificial intelligence and multidimensional data fusion, to maximize the scientific return from European and international space missions. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, national space agencies, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation in this field. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and international cooperation is strongly encouraged. The application process is a single-stage open call, with a deadline of September 3, 2026. The call seeks to increase the number of European scientific publications based on space data, enhance data products available through archives, and develop advanced tools and methods for data processing, ultimately contributing to European scientific excellence and the preparation of future space missions. The call also emphasizes the importance of collaboration among scientific teams within and outside Europe to add value to existing activities and broaden research partnerships.