This grant invites proposals for Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects that use space-based services and applications to solve challenges in the smart cities sector.
It targets companies and organizations of varying sizes, with a focus on those with business, technical, and financial expertise.
This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant, focused on urban development and smart city solutions.
The geographic scope for applicants is limited to specific ESA Member States and Cooperating States.
It's an ongoing 'Open Call' with defined application windows, part of ESA's broader Business Applications program.
Financial Structure
Funding is provided on a 'zero-equity' basis.
The grant covers between 50% and 80% of eligible costs, depending on your organization's 'SME Status' and approval from your 'Member State Approval'.
This implies a mandatory co-financing requirement of 20% to 50% of total project costs, which must be covered by the applicant.
The grant amount per project is not specified; it is dependent on the project scope and negotiation.
You will need to prepare a 'Cashflow Forecast Workbook' as part of your application documents.
Financial reporting will be required through 'Monthly Progress Reports'.
Eligibility Requirements
Organization Type & Status
Eligible applicants are 'companies' or organizations capable of forming 'teams'.
'SME Status' is considered for funding percentage.
Consortia are permitted and encouraged, especially for multi-country teams.
Geographic Location
Your organization must be physically located in one of these countries to receive funding: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Lithuania, Slovakia.
Organizations outside these countries are not eligible for funding.
Authorisation Requirements
You must obtain a 'Letter(s) of Authorisation' from the relevant National Delegation(s) in your country (and for partners' countries) before submitting a 'Full Proposal'.
Exception: Italian entities are not required to contact their National Delegation (ASI) directly for this process.
Expertise Requirements
Teams must demonstrate business, technical, and financial expertise.
Application Process
Application Timeline
Application Period: Opens 31-03-2025 and closes 30-09-2025.
Outline Proposal Submission: Within 1 year from your 'Activity Pitch Questionnaire (APQ)' submission date.
Step-by-Step Process
Activity Pitch Questionnaire (APQ) Submission:
Download the 'Activity Pitch Questionnaire' template.
Prepare your pitch and optionally consult with an ESA Business Applications Ambassador.
Submit your APQ online via the 'ideas.esa.int' website. Ensure you use the latest APQ template, as old versions will be rejected.
Your APQ may be shared with 'National Delegations' for coordination.
ESA will assess your pitch and inform you of the next steps.
Outline Proposal Submission (by invitation):
If your APQ is accepted, you will be invited to prepare an 'Outline Proposal'.
Download the specific 'Outline Proposal Template' for 'Feasibility Studies' or 'Demonstration Projects'.
External experts may be involved in evaluation. Clarification points may be requested.
'Steering Board' approval is required (meets quarterly).
Full Proposal Submission (by invitation):
If your 'Outline Proposal' is accepted, you will be invited to submit a 'Full Proposal'.
Register your team on 'esa-star Registration'; all entities in a multi-organization team must register.
Download official tender documents from 'esa-star Publication' (specifically for 'Tender Action 1-10494').
Obtain a 'Letter of Authorisation' from your 'National Delegate(s)' before submission (mandatory, except for Italian entities).
Submit your 'Full Proposal' via 'esa-star Tendering'.
An independent board will evaluate your proposal, and clarification points and a negotiation meeting may follow.
Upon successful negotiation, a contract will be issued for signature, and project kick-off will be agreed.
Support and Resources
ESA offers 'zero-equity funding', 'technical and commercial guidance', 'access to their network and partners', and 'ESA brand credibility'.
Webinars are offered (e.g., '02 July 2025').
Evaluation Criteria
Business and Market Potential
'Market opportunities and customer needs': Your solution should clearly address a defined market gap or need.
'Commercially viable service concepts': Your proposed service must show a clear path to generating revenue and becoming sustainable.
Technical Feasibility and Innovation
'Feasible technical solutions': The technology behind your solution must be sound and implementable.
'Value from space data or technology': Your project must clearly leverage Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), or Satellite Communication (SatCom) in a meaningful way.
Team Capability
'Teams with business, technical, and financial expertise': The evaluating board will assess the qualifications and experience of your project team across these critical areas.
Overall Assessment
Proposals are evaluated against these criteria throughout a multi-stage process (Activity Pitch Questionnaire, Outline Proposal, Full Proposal). An independent board reviews the 'Full Proposal'.
Compliance & Special Requirements
Authorization and National Delegation
A critical and non-negotiable requirement is obtaining a 'Letter of Authorisation' from your country's 'National Delegation' (or each partner's delegation in a consortium) prior to 'Full Proposal' submission. Without this, you cannot proceed to contract.
Note for Italian entities: The Italian Space Agency (ASI) has delegated the interface with applicants to ESA, so direct contact with ASI is not required.
Project Nature
This call specifically targets 'Feasibility Studies' and 'Demonstration Projects'. Your proposal must fit one of these types.
Projects must leverage 'space-based services' (Satellite Earth Observation, Global Navigation Satellite Systems, Satellite Communication).
Commercial Viability
There is a strong emphasis on the 'commercial viability' of the proposed service concepts, indicating an expectation of market relevance and future sustainability beyond the grant period.
Reporting and Documentation
Successful projects will be subject to rigorous reporting requirements, including 'Monthly Progress Reports' and adherence to various ESA-provided templates for project documentation (e.g., 'Business Plan', 'Financial Forecast', 'System and Service Architecture').
Grant Details
feasibility study
demonstration project
smart cities
urban development
space applications
satellite earth observation
gnss
satellite communication
sustainability
urban infrastructure
urban environment
circular economy
traffic management
climate change
air pollution
iot
zero-equity funding
european space agency
esa
business applications
Call for Proposals (Non-Competitive) for Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects leveraging space-based services for smart cities.
1-10494
ESA Business Applications
SME
OTHER
AT
BE
CZ
DK
EE
FI
FR
DE
IE
IT
HU
LU
NL
NO
PL
PT
RO
SE
CH
GB
LT
SK
TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENT
ENERGY
TRANSPORTATION
CONSTRUCTION
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