ESA helps companies and researchers bring cutting-edge satellite communication products to market – quickly and with financial support
Competitiveness and Growth – which forms part of our Core Competitiveness programme – is dedicated to the development, verification and demonstration of products for the satellite telecommunications market. These products might be any hardware, software, system or sub-system or services. Projects are supported through several development phases: definition, technology, product and demonstration.
Contracts are awarded on the basis of proposals made by industry or academia for the development of products or services in the satellite communications sector – whether there is commercial or non-commercial interest.
Which products does Competitiveness & Growth support?
Who can apply?
Applications for financial support, technical expertise, and access to ESA’s ecosystem are available for the following entities, and within ESA’s Member States.
Application guidelines
1
Check eligibility
3
Receive ESA support
2
Submit proposal
4
Develop your product
Funding Levels
Development phases
Funding with commercial interest
For startups, large enterprises, research centres, universities, space agencies (non-SME) and SMEs with commercial interest in the product.
SME
Funding by development phase
| Phase | TRL Level | Max. Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Definition and Technology | Up to 6 | 80% |
| Product and Demonstration | Up to 9 | 80% |
Non-SME
Funding by development phase
| Phase | TRL Level | Max. Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Definition and Technology | Up to 6 | 75% |
| Product and Demonstration | Up to 9 | 50% (1)(2) |
(1) For the ScyLight SPL, up to 75% for activities that address non-established markets that are highly innovative and contain a high technical and/or market risk.
(2) Up to 75% for universities and research institutes which have demonstrated commercial interest in the future exploitation of the final product or service.
Funding with no commercial interest
For research centres and universities with no commercial interest
Research centres and universities
Funding by development phase
| Phase | TRL Level | Max. Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Definition and Technology | Up to 6 | 100% |
| Product and Demonstration | Up to 9 | 100% |
RELATED LINKS & CONTACTS
CONTACT
David Phillips
ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT)
Fermi Avenue
Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0FD, United Kingdom
+44 (0)7785 439617
David.Phillips@esa.int
ARTES-C&G@esa.int
