Space critical EEE components for EU non-dependence

The HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-83 grant opportunity focuses on "Space Critical EEE Components for EU Non-Dependence." It is part of the Horizon Europe program designed to bolster the European Union's strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on critical space technologies sourced outside the EU. This call for proposals emphasizes the development and mature capabilities in Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical components essential for space applications, addressing the pressing need for self-sufficiency in the space sector.

Eligible applicants include legal entities based in EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland, with restrictions on participation from non-EU entities unless they fulfill specific conditions ensuring no negative impact on EU strategic interests. The primary funding mechanism is a grant under Research and Innovation Actions, with the total budget for this topic set at €490,000. The expected EU contribution per project ranges from €250,000 to €300,000, with only one project anticipated to be funded, indicating a highly competitive application process.

The application process involves a single-stage submission, with the opening date scheduled for March 9, 2027, and a deadline of September 2, 2027. Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal, which must not exceed 80 pages. The focus of the project should be on enhancing the maturity of critical space EEE components, moving toward development and commercialization.

Submission requirements call for collaboration among multiple entities, as indicated by the emphasis on building sustainable supply chains and the expectation of technological partnerships between various stakeholders within the space industry. The expected success rate for this funding initiative is low, likely below 10%, due to the limited funding and the highly specialized nature of the proposals. Co-funding is not explicitly required but is encouraged to enhance project sustainability.

Overall, this funding opportunity is part of a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the EU's position in global space missions by fostering independence through robust development of critical technologies within its borders. The successful projects will not only focus on technology development but will contribute to building long-term strategic capabilities that support the European space industry's competitive edge.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically SPACE (HORIZON-CL4-2027-03), aimed at reinforcing EU strategic autonomy by reducing non-EU dependencies on critical space EEE components and related technologies across their entire supply chain. The call seeks to provide unrestricted access to critical space EEE components and related technologies relevant for EU space missions, develop or regain capacity to operate independently in space by developing resilient supply chains, enhance competitiveness, and open new opportunities for manufacturers by reducing dependency on non-EU export restricted technologies.

The call includes several topics with varying budgets and action types:

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-12: HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of EUR 5,000,000. The indicative contribution ranges from EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 3,000,000, and it is expected to fund 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-21: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of EUR 980,000. The indicative contribution ranges from EUR 800,000 to EUR 1,000,000, and it is expected to fund 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-33: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of EUR 4,000,000. The indicative contribution ranges from EUR 1,500,000 to EUR 3,000,000, and it is expected to fund 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-34: HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget of EUR 26,000,000. The indicative contribution ranges from EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000, and it is expected to fund 4 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-71: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of EUR 29,200,000. The indicative contribution ranges from EUR 14,000,000 to EUR 15,000,000, and it is expected to fund 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-83: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of EUR 490,000. The indicative contribution ranges from EUR 250,000 to EUR 300,000, and it is expected to fund 1 grant. This topic is specifically titled "Space critical EEE components for EU non-dependence".

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-84: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of EUR 490,000. The indicative contribution ranges from EUR 250,000 to EUR 300,000, and it is expected to fund 1 grant.

All topics follow a single-stage submission process, with a planned opening date of March 9, 2027, and a deadline of September 2, 2027, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

Eligible participants are legal entities established in Member States, Norway, and Iceland. Participation is restricted to these entities to safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may participate only if they can demonstrate that their participation would not negatively impact the Union’s strategic interests.

Projects should use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS for satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and related timing data and services.

The application page limit is 80 pages, as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form.

The evaluation committee will be composed partially by representatives of EU institutions.

Applicants must fill out a compulsory questionnaire on the declaration of ownership and control, which must be assembled by the coordinator and uploaded in a single file in the portal submission system.

Additional information and guidance can be found in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and other related documents. Partner search announcements are available on the portal for those seeking collaboration.

In essence, this opportunity is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, focusing on strengthening the EU's independence and competitiveness in the space sector by fostering the development and adoption of critical space EEE components and technologies. It aims to reduce reliance on non-EU sources, particularly where export controls or supply chain security are a concern, and to promote collaboration between European space and non-space industries. The call is structured around several specific topics, each with its own budget and expected outcomes, ranging from research and innovation actions to innovation actions. Participation is primarily limited to entities within EU member states, Norway and Iceland, with specific conditions for entities controlled by non-eligible countries. The overall goal is to ensure that the EU space industry has unrestricted access to state-of-the-art technologies necessary for its missions and to enhance its strategic autonomy in the space domain.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are legal entities established in Member States, Norway, and Iceland. Entities directly or indirectly controlled by a non-eligible country or entity may participate under specific conditions and guarantees. The program targets a wide range of entities involved in the space industry, including manufacturers, research institutions, and other organizations capable of contributing to the development and maturation of space EEE components.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe program. These grants are budget-based.

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the nature of the projects, particularly those involving establishing sustainable supply chains, suggests that a consortium approach is highly encouraged, if not implicitly required. The call text mentions the importance of collaboration between European non-space and space industries, indicating that multiple entities are expected to contribute to the proposed activities.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is primarily limited to legal entities established in Member States of the European Union, as well as Norway and Iceland. Participation of entities from non-EU/non-Associated Countries is possible under specific provisions and if they can demonstrate that their participation does not negatively impact the Union's strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security.

Target Sector: The program targets the space sector, specifically focusing on the development and maturation of critical space Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) components and related technologies. It also aims to enhance the competitiveness of the EU space industry and reduce its dependency on non-EU sources for critical technologies and components, including advanced semiconductor processes and advanced materials.

Mentioned Countries: European Union Member States, Norway, Iceland.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is development and maturation. The program aims to finance and implement development projects that advance critical space EEE components, suggesting a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between development and demonstration. The goal is to establish long-term sustainable supply chains, indicating a move towards commercialization.

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

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential competitiveness.

Co-funding Requirement: The document does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, under the SPACE (HORIZON-CL4-2027-03) designation, aims to bolster the EU's strategic autonomy in the space sector by funding projects that develop and mature critical space EEE components. The call seeks to reduce the EU's reliance on non-EU sources for these components, ensuring a secure and independent supply chain for EU space missions. The program is open to legal entities based in EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland, with potential participation from non-EU entities under strict conditions. Projects should focus on developing resilient supply chains, enhancing the competitiveness of EU space manufacturers, and fostering collaboration between space and non-space industries. The funding is provided through HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), with varying budget allocations for different topics, all sharing a single-stage application process. The call emphasizes the importance of complementarity with national activities and European space agencies, and it requires beneficiaries to utilize Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS data and services where relevant. The overall goal is to ensure unrestricted access to state-of-the-art space EEE components and related technologies for the EU space industry, enabling it to respond effectively to EU space missions and compete globally.