How to work with us
How to work with us quick links
What you can apply for
Head over to our esa-star portal and follow the guidelines for your chosen activity. Some of our calls are open continuously, while others have set deadlines.
Invitation to tender
Our ITTs invite companies and organisations to submit proposals on specific activities in relation to our satellite communications programmes.
ESA-initiated projects are where ESA defines the project scope and issues calls for ideas or tenders for long-term research and development (R&D) into new satellite communication technologies. Through partnerships with industry, ESA accelerates technology maturation, promotes European supply chains, and ensures resilient, sovereign connectivity infrastructures for Europe’s digital autonomy, economic growth, and secure communication capabilities.
Open call
Available for a wide selection of our programmes, especially in the domains of optical and quantum communications, 5G/6G connectivity, and space-based safety and security.
Industry-initiated projects are driven by our partners to develop and demonstrate innovative satellite communication systems and services, in response to their own priorities and market needs. ESA co-funds these initiatives to reduce risk, accelerate time to market, and strengthen Europe’s industrial competitiveness, technological sovereignty, and leadership in the global satellite communications sector.
Call for proposals, ideas, and nationals
We have a selection of calls available at ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications, whether it’s contributing to our yearly workplan, specific to a Member State or activity, or benefits from co-funding.
Ideas that are submitted through our open calls are matured and screened. Successful applications that are selected form part of our yearly workplans with full funding. They are also subject to open competition across participating states, where a letter of support forms part of the process. We also offer co-funded opportunities to industry through our call for proposal route, as well as calls that are specific to an ESA Member State or sporadic activity.
Application process
How to prepare your proposal and what is the process
Check eligibility
Ensure your country is a participating ESA Member State and subscribes to the ARTES element you're applying for.
When applying for ESA funding within our programmes, you’ll need to prepare a clear and complete proposal package. The exact requirements vary by programme line, but most applications include the following core documents: cover letter, technical proposal, management proposal and financial proposal. The full list of documents can be found at “Documents page”.
Organisations eligible to apply for funding under our programmes include entities from ESA Member States, Associate States, and Cooperating States that have subscribed to the relevant programme. Applicants can include private companies (large industry, SMEs, and start-ups, research institutions and universities, as well as public organisations developing space-enabled communication services.
Yes. You must register on esa-star if you want to apply for ESA funding, submit a proposal, or sign a contract.
Under ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications, a wide range of projects are eligible for funding: from early technology research to full-scale commercial system demonstrations. The key requirement is that each project contributes to innovative, secure, and sustainable satellite communication solutions that strengthen Europe’s industrial and strategic capabilities.
You can apply more than once and to multiple ESA calls, if each proposal meets the eligibility criteria and fits within the objectives of the specific programme line or funding call. You may submit more than one proposal to ESA, either for different projects or at different development stages. ESA encourages continued participation; many successful missions evolve through sequential phases or multiple funding lines.
You can apply to different open Invitations to Tender (ITTs) under programmes, provided each proposal is distinct and relevant to that call’s scope. Proposals cannot duplicate previously funded ESA work unless clearly justified as an evolution or extension.
Each ESA Member, Associate, or Cooperating State has a national delegation that manages its country’s participation and funding within ESA programmes. You should contact your national delegate to confirm eligibility and funding availability under the relevant programme line, or to discuss your proposal idea and obtain support or endorsement. You can also follow the contact process as defined in Invitation to Tender packages.