Name: Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solutions initiative
Funding Organization: European Space Agency (ESA)
Objective: Support innovative space-based agricultural monitoring and management services
Funding Type: Zero-equity grants covering 50-80% of eligible costs
Grant Frequency: Recurring with 2025 call open from 23 May to 29 August
Beneficiaries: Companies developing space-based agricultural services
Context: Digital transformation of agriculture using satellite data and technology
Eligible Organizations: Companies with strong business, technical, and financial expertise
Geographic Eligibility: ESA Member States including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Lithuania, Slovakia
Special Conditions: Greece, Spain, Canada eligible only if idea relates to 5G or safety/security
Consortium: Not required
Agricultural monitoring topics: crop classification, soil property mapping, greenhouse gas emission mapping, peatland delineation, afforestation monitoring, bare soil and plant cover ratio, catch crop monitoring, grazing activity detection, buffer zone management, risk assessment
Use of space technologies: Satellite Earth Observation, GNSS, satellite communications, digital twins
Expected Outcomes: Feasibility studies and demonstration projects delivering commercially viable, innovative services
Impact: Economic, environmental, and societal benefits aligned with sustainable farming and regulatory compliance
Teams must demonstrate strong business, technical, and financial expertise
Use of satellite data and space technology is essential
Technical documentation and reporting as per ESA templates
Compliance with ESA tender and quality standards
Funding covers 50-80% of eligible costs depending on SME status and Member State approval
Zero-equity funding
Financial reporting and management requirements apply
Budget limits and eligible costs not explicitly specified
Call opening: 23 May 2025
Call closing: 29 August 2025
Three-step application: Activity Pitch Questionnaire, Outline Proposal, Full Proposal
Reporting: Monthly progress reports and milestone meetings
Project reviews: Negotiation, design reviews, acceptance tests, final review
Must comply with ESA and national regulations
Environmental compliance emphasized through project focus
Letters of Authorisation required from National Delegations before full proposal submission
Submit Activity Pitch Questionnaire via Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP)
If accepted, submit Outline Proposal within 2 months
If invited, submit Full Proposal via esa-star Tendering within 4 months of Outline Proposal
Obtain Letters of Authorisation from relevant National Delegations
Evaluation by independent board with possible negotiation meeting
ESA Business Applications Ambassadors available for consultation
Focus on leveraging space technology for agriculture
Authorization from multiple national delegations may be complex
Strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and regulatory compliance
Access to ESA network and brand credibility
Not specified in current documentation