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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

Core objective: To support innovative space-enabled applications and services for hazardous materials management, specifically focusing on identifying contaminated sites, monitoring toxic material degradation, and providing predictive insights for proactive remediation efforts.
Target recipient type and size: Primarily companies (economic operators), including startups, SMEs, and larger enterprises. No specific size limitations are stated.
Designation: SECTOR-SPECIFIC (Hazardous Materials Management leveraging Space Technology).
Geographic scope: Companies residing in specific European Space Agency (ESA) Member States and Cooperating States. Eligible countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Key filtering criteria for initial screening: Proposed solutions must address hazardous materials management and integrate space assets (Satellite Earth Observation, Satellite Communications, or Global Navigation Satellite Systems).
Grant frequency and program context: This is a competitive call within ESA's recurring Kick-start Activities program, which aims to explore the business opportunity and technical viability of new space-enabled applications and services.

Financial Structure

Maximum funding per selected activity: up to 75,000 EUR.
Funding rate: The European Space Agency provides 75% of the eligible costs for each selected activity.
Co-financing requirement: Applicants are required to provide the remaining 25% of project costs.
Funding type: This is 'zero-equity' funding, meaning ESA does not take an ownership stake in your company.
Currency: All financial amounts are in EUR.
No specific minimum grant amount per activity is stated.
The total budget for the overall call is not specified.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type & Legal Status

Eligible entities: Any company (economic operator).
Must be registered in one of the eligible ESA Member States or Cooperating States listed below.

Geographic Location

Must reside in one of the following countries to receive funding: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Technical Focus

The proposed application or service must utilize one or more space assets (e.g., Satellite Communications, Satellite Navigation, Earth Observation, Human Spaceflight Technology).
The project must support and evidence environmental claims and labelling specifically for the monitoring of hazardous materials.

Authorization Requirements

Before Full Proposal submission (Step 3), explicit authorization must be obtained from the National Delegations of the countries in which your organization and any partners reside.
Exception: For Italian entities, it is not required to contact the National Delegation (ASI), as ESA has been delegated to interface directly.

Application Process

Application Process & Timeline

Opening Date: 2025-06-16
Closing Date: 2025-09-18 (This is the final deadline for submitting the Activity Pitch Questionnaire, though early submission is encouraged as proposals are reviewed periodically).
Step 1: Activity Pitch Questionnaire (APQ) Submission
Prepare your pitch using the 'Activity Pitch Questionnaire' template.
Submit the APQ via the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP).
You will need to sign up for an OSIP account.
ESA will assess your pitch and inform you of the results and next steps.
Step 2: Outline Proposal (OP) Submission (by invitation only)
If your APQ is accepted, you will be invited to prepare an Outline Proposal.
Submit the Outline Proposal within 2 months of APQ submission.
Use the 'Outline Proposal Template' for Feasibility Studies or Demonstration Projects.
Submitted to OSIP for evaluation; external experts may be involved.
Step 3: Full Proposal (FP) Submission (by invitation only)
If invited, register your team on 'esa-star Registration' (all entities in a consortium must register).
Download official tender documents from 'esa-star Publication'.
Obtain a Letter of Authorisation from your National Delegate (unless your entity is Italian) before submission.
Submit the Full Proposal via 'esa-star Tendering' within 4 months of OP submission.

Required Documentation and Materials

Completed Activity Pitch Questionnaire (APQ).
Completed Outline Proposal (OP) (if invited).
Completed Full Proposal (FP) using official tender documents (if invited).
Company logo (optional for APQ).

Support Offered to Applicants

Zero-equity funding.
Technical and commercial guidance.
Access to ESA's network and partners.
Use of the ESA brand for your service.

Reporting and Implementation Obligations

Project implementation timelines and specific deliverables will be defined during the contracting phase.
Reporting obligations, such as Monthly Progress Reports (MPRs), Business Plans (BPs), and Final Reports (FREPs), will be specified in the Management Requirements document and contract.

Evaluation Criteria

Business and Technical Viability

Assessment of the business opportunity for the proposed new application or service.
Evaluation of the technical viability of the new space-enabled application or service.

Scope and Relevance

Alignment of the project with the primary objective of monitoring and managing hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos, heavy metals, chemical pollutants, radioactive waste).
Relevance to addressing environmental and public health monitoring challenges, regulatory compliance, risk management, and workplace/occupational safety.

Integration of Space Assets

Demonstrated value and effective integration of at least one space asset (Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO), Satellite Communications (Satcom), and/or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) in the proposed solution.
Evidence of how space-based technologies enable large-scale monitoring, data-driven risk management, and real-time risk assessment.

Commercial Potential and Innovation

Projects that demonstrate clear commercial potential and market relevance for the space-enabled service.
Preference for innovative approaches in leveraging space technology for hazardous materials management.

Proposal Quality

Clarity, completeness, and coherence of the submitted Activity Pitch Questionnaire and subsequent proposals.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Projects must explicitly address and comply with international and national regulations concerning the safe handling, monitoring, and disposal of hazardous materials.
Solutions are expected to facilitate regulatory compliance and verification of safety standards.

Data Protection and Security

Proposed solutions, particularly those involving Satellite Communications, should ensure seamless, reliable, and secure data transmission from remote monitoring sensors.
Accuracy of location data via GNSS implies a focus on data integrity and precision.

Ethical Standards

Projects related to hazardous materials management inherently involve ethical considerations regarding public health and environmental protection.

Risk Management

Emphasis on supporting proactive mitigation strategies and enabling real-time risk management for hazardous environments.

Intellectual Property Policies

Not explicitly detailed in the provided text, but standard ESA contract terms would apply if selected for funding.

Unique Aspects and Benefits

The grant offers 'zero-equity' funding, which means ESA does not take an ownership stake in the supported companies.
Successful applicants gain access to ESA's extensive network and partners, which can be beneficial for commercialization and growth.
The ability to use the ESA brand for your service provides a significant credibility and marketing advantage.
This 'Kick-start Activity' specifically focuses on exploring the initial business opportunity and technical viability, making it suitable for early-stage development of new services.

Grant Details