Grant name: Thematic Call for Proposals under ESA standard call AO/1-10494
Funding organization: European Space Agency (ESA)
Primary objective: Support new space-based services for digital transformation and sustainability in the sport sector, focusing on Olympic and Paralympic Games
Target events: Paris 2024, Milano Cortina 2026, and future Olympic Games
Grant type: Call for Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects
Grant frequency: Recurring within open call period (applications accepted anytime until 31-12-2025)
Stakeholders include Olympic committees (Paris 2024, Milano Cortina 2026), sports federations (e.g., Italian Taekwondo Federation), partners (Atos, Omega), and innovation hubs (EPSI, GSIC)
Context: Commitment to net-zero events and community engagement requiring innovative space-based solutions
Funding source: ESA budget for business applications in space technology
Eligible organization types: Companies (economic operators) residing in specified ESA Member States
Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
No explicit organizational size or capacity requirements stated
No specific certifications mentioned
Applicants must inform and obtain authorization from their National Delegations before full proposal submission (except Italian entities, where ESA interfaces directly)
Partnership or consortium requirements: Not explicitly required
Inclusivity and diversity considerations: Not specified
Organizational maturity: Services must demonstrate maturity and integrity for fast implementation
Primary focus: Digital transformation and sustainability of Olympic and Paralympic Games
Scope includes preparation, event management, and post-event exploitation phases
Topics of interest: Sustainability (infrastructure, construction sites, smart cities), smart event management (crowd management, emergency response, public safety), fan engagement, athlete performance and training
Use cases from partners such as Atos, Italian Taekwondo Federation, Swiss Timing
Services must be robust, reliable, and economically viable
Encouragement for continuous use across multiple Games editions and applicability to other major sports events
Expected outcomes: Efficient infrastructure use, safe and engaging fan experience, environmental sustainability
Geographic coverage: Primarily European Olympic Games, but services applicable to other major sports events encouraged
Leverage space assets: Satellite Navigation, Satellite Communications, Earth Observation (including weather), Human Spaceflight technologies
Complementary technologies allowed: Web 3.0, AR/VR, AI/ML, NFTs, cyber-secure digital tech, robotics, unmanned transportation systems (RPAS, USV)
Innovation and technology transfer emphasized
Proposed services must demonstrate robustness and reliability suitable for high-visibility Olympic events
Fast implementation requires proven maturity and service integrity
Longer development may involve multiple events as test-beds
Quality standards and risk management implied by need for robustness
No explicit infrastructure or team composition requirements stated
Technical documentation and compliance expected as per ESA standard procedures
Total budget, minimum and maximum funding amounts not specified
Funding rate not specified
Eligible and ineligible costs not detailed
No mention of matching funds or co-financing requirements
Financial reporting and audit requirements implied by ESA standard management documents
Economic viability and cost-benefit analysis required for proposed services
Call opening date: 17 October 2022
Call closing date: 31 December 2025
Applications can be submitted anytime within this period
Project duration: Not explicitly stated, but includes feasibility studies and demonstration projects
Application process includes three steps: Activity Pitch Questionnaire, Outline Proposal (within 1 year of APQ), Full Proposal
Reporting and milestone meetings follow ESA standard templates and schedules
Monitoring, evaluation, and progress tracking required as per ESA management requirements
Extension possibilities not specified
Applicants must comply with relevant regulatory, environmental, data protection, and ethical standards
No specific permits or authorizations detailed beyond National Delegation approval
Data protection and privacy regulations implied by ESA standards
Environmental sustainability is a key thematic focus
Labor standards and legal compliance expected as per ESA and national laws
Step 1: Submit Activity Pitch Questionnaire via ESA ideas platform
Optional consultation with ESA Business Applications Ambassador
Step 2: If invited, submit Outline Proposal within 1 year of APQ submission to [email protected]
Step 3: If invited, submit Full Proposal via esa-star Tendering platform after registration and obtaining National Delegation authorization
Required documents include Activity Pitch Questionnaire, Outline Proposal Template, Full Proposal Template, and management documents
Evaluation involves ESA and external experts, with possible clarification requests and negotiation meetings
Applicants must use latest templates; older versions lead to rejection
National Delegation coordination mandatory before full proposal submission (except Italy)
High visibility and critical nature of Olympic Games require robust, reliable, and mature services
Encouragement for continuous learning and service improvement across Games editions
Economic viability and cost-benefit analysis critical for service adoption
Cross-cutting themes: sustainability, digital transformation, community engagement
Innovation in space-based and complementary technologies strongly encouraged
Risk management and mitigation expected due to event criticality
Knowledge sharing and coordination with stakeholders emphasized
This thematic call is part of ESA's ongoing ARTES Business Applications program
No specific historical recipient data or success rates provided
Funding trends focus on space-enabled digital transformation and sustainability in sports
Stakeholder engagement has shaped topics of interest
Lessons learned emphasize maturity, robustness, and economic viability