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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant invites proposals for Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects that use satellite technology to improve the sustainability of sports and mass events.
Its core objective is to find innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of large gatherings like sports championships, music festivals, and conferences.
Target recipients are 'companies', which includes 'SME' and 'ENTERPRISE', as well as 'STARTUP' with promising business ideas.
This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant, focused on the global 'events industry', particularly 'sports' and 'mass events', with a strong emphasis on 'environmental sustainability' and 'space technology' applications.
Geographic scope requires teams to be located in specific European countries. There are conditional eligibilities for Greece, Spain, and Canada.
Key filtering criteria for initial screening include the explicit use of satellite technology and a direct contribution to sustainability in large-scale events.
This is a recurring 'open call' with periodic reviews throughout 2025, rather than a one-time opportunity.

Financial Structure

Funding is provided as 'zero-equity funding', meaning no ownership stake is taken by the funder.
The funding rate ranges from 50-80% of eligible costs, with the exact percentage dependent on the applicant's 'SME Status' and the 'Member State Approval'.
Applicants are required to provide 'co-financing' for the remaining project costs, ranging from 20-50%.
Eligible activities for funding are categorized as 'Feasibility Studies' (preparatory framework for new services) and 'Demonstration Projects' (implementation and demonstration of pre-operational services).
Financial reporting requires the submission of a 'Cashflow Forecast Workbook' (for Demonstration Projects) and a 'Financial Forecast Workbook' during project execution.
Specific policies regarding indirect costs are not detailed but are implied to be part of the eligible costs assessed during the tender process.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type & Status

Open to 'companies', encompassing both 'SME' and 'ENTERPRISE' entities.
Startups with 'promising business ideas' are specifically encouraged and eligible.
No explicit employee count or revenue thresholds are provided for general eligibility, but 'SME Status' impacts funding rates.

Geographic Location

The team (or consortia members) must be based in one of the following countries to qualify for 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.
Companies located in Greece, Spain, or Canada are eligible only if their proposed idea is related to 5G technologies or includes a significant element concerning Safety and Security.
Teams based outside of these listed countries are not eligible for this funding call.

Authorisation & Legal Structure

Applicants must obtain a 'Letter(s) of Authorisation' from the relevant National Delegation(s) in their country before submitting the Full Proposal.
For Italian entities, it is not required to contact their National Delegation (ASI), as ESA has been delegated to interface directly with applicants.
If the application involves multiple organizations from different Member States, each entity must request a Letter of Authorisation from their respective National Delegate.

Application Process

Application Stages & Process

The application follows a three-step process:
- Step 1: Activity Pitch Questionnaire (APQ): Submit a reduced, standardized pitch via the 'Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP)'. This is for initial assessment and deciding the way forward.
- Step 2: Outline Proposal: If the APQ is accepted, an invitation is issued to prepare a more detailed Outline Proposal for a Feasibility Study or Demonstration Project, submitted via email to [email protected].
- Step 3: Full Proposal: If the Outline Proposal is successful, an invitation is issued to submit a comprehensive Full Proposal via 'esa-star Tendering'. This step requires prior registration on 'esa-star Registration' and obtaining National Delegation Letter(s) of Authorisation.

Application Deadlines

Activity Pitch Questionnaires are reviewed periodically, and applicants are advised to submit them 'at their earliest convenience throughout 2025' rather than waiting.
Outline Proposal submission must occur within 1 year from the APQ submission.
The overall closing date for the call, which implies the final deadline for initial submissions (likely APQs given the periodic review), is 2025-10-10.

Required Documentation & Materials

'Activity Pitch Questionnaire' (APQ) using the latest template.
'Outline Proposal Template' (specific for Feasibility Studies or Demonstration Projects).
'Full Proposal Template' and 'Cover Letter' for the final submission.
'Cashflow Forecast Workbook' (required for Demonstration Projects).
'Management Requirements' documents relevant to the project type.
Mandatory 'Letter(s) of Authorisation' from National Delegations (due at Full Proposal stage).
Registration on 'esa-star Registration' is required for the Full Proposal stage.

Support & Guidance

The grant offers direct 'funding', 'technical and commercial guidance', 'access to ESA's network and partners', and 'ESA brand credibility'.
Applicants can optionally 'consult with an ESA Business Applications Ambassador' during the APQ preparation stage.

Project Implementation & Reporting Obligations

Projects will involve either 'Feasibility Studies' (defining new services) or 'Demonstration Projects' (implementing and demonstrating services).
Progress tracking includes mandatory 'Monthly Progress Reports' (MPR) and various milestone meetings like Negotiation Meetings, Business Case Reviews, Design Reviews, and Factory/On-Site Acceptance Tests.
Final deliverables typically include a 'Business Plan', 'Financial Forecast Workbook', 'Requirements Document', 'System and Service Architecture', 'System Verification Document', 'Pilot Utilisation Plan', 'Pilot Operations Summary Report', and a 'Final Report'.

Evaluation Criteria

Business Viability & Market Opportunity

Applications will be assessed on the attractiveness of the identified market opportunities.
Proposals must clearly demonstrate identified customer needs and a strategy for customer engagement.
The service concepts presented must be commercially viable.

Technical Feasibility & Innovation

Solutions proposed must be technically feasible.
There must be clear added value derived from the use of 'space data' or 'space technology' (e.g., Satellite Navigation, Satellite Communications, Earth Observation).
The proposal should explore 'innovative ways' to achieve its objectives.

Team Capabilities

The applying team must demonstrate relevant business, technical, and financial expertise.
The team's motivation is a key factor.

Impact & Sustainability

Proposals should contribute to reducing the 'environmental impact' of large-scale gatherings, addressing 'carbon footprints', 'waste management', and enhancing 'event resilience'.
Solutions should help bridge 'significant gaps in accurate emissions measurement', 'transparent reporting', and 'impact-assessment methodologies'.
Projects addressing 'carbon reduction', 'sustainable mobility and logistics', 'nature and biodiversity protection', 'circular economy', 'sustainable infrastructure', and 'event resilience to environmental impact' are highly relevant.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Strict adherence to 'National Delegation Authorisation' requirements is mandatory for funding eligibility.
Projects are expected to support 'compliance with sustainability targets' set by various frameworks, such as the UN Sports for Climate Action initiative.
Proposals should demonstrate how they will ensure adherence to 'environmental guidelines' related to large events.

Technical Standards & Requirements

The core of all projects must be the 'added value of space data or technology', specifically 'Satellite Navigation (SatNav)', 'Satellite Communications (SatCom)', and 'Earth Observation (SatEO)'.
Solutions should aim for 'real-time monitoring', 'tracking and tracing', and leveraging 'IoT sensors' where applicable.
Development of 'smart building solutions' and 'smart infrastructure upgrades' is encouraged.

Risk Management & Resilience

Projects should contribute to 'event resilience' by addressing 'climate-driven operational risks' and providing 'weather impact and risk assessment'.
Solutions should enhance the ability of event organizers to make timely adjustments to minimize disruptions.

Ethical & Environmental Standards

Strong emphasis on 'environmental and social responsibility', including managing 'waste', reducing 'carbon footprints', and protecting 'nature and biodiversity'.
Projects should promote 'circular economy' principles and contribute to 'sustainable venue planning'.

Special Considerations & Opportunities

This call is 'non-competitive' in its initial stages, meaning proposals are reviewed periodically, allowing for ongoing submission rather than a single competitive window.
The grant provides 'zero-equity funding', which is a significant advantage for companies seeking to retain full ownership.
The focus on sustainability in the rapidly growing events industry presents a substantial 'market opportunity' for innovative solutions.

Grant Details