The ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) Road and Traffic Safety Call for Proposals supports the development of space-enabled services and applications that improve road and traffic safety. The call addresses challenges arising from increasing urbanisation, higher traffic volumes, new mobility modes (including micromobility and automated vehicles), and the need for more effective traffic management, incident detection and predictive safety solutions. Projects must leverage one or more space assets (e.g. satellite communications, Earth observation or satellite navigation) to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities on the roads.

Funding Amount

• Funding is provided by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme.
• Activities funded under this thematic call are Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects.
• Funding follows the standard ESA BASS co-funding rules:
  • Proof-of-Concept Studies
    • Eligible project costs: up to €600,000.
    • ESA funding:
      • Standard companies: up to 75% of eligible costs.
      • SMEs: up to 80% of eligible costs (subject to National Delegation approval).
      • Universities, research institutes and public-sector entities without commercial interest: up to 100% of eligible costs (ESA contribution limited to 30% of total project cost).
      • Universities and research organisations with commercial interest: up to 75%.
  • Pilot Projects
    • No fixed maximum project budget.
    • ESA funding:
      • Standard companies: up to 50% of eligible costs.
      • SMEs: up to 80% of eligible costs (subject to National Delegation approval).
      • Universities, research institutes and public-sector entities without commercial interest: up to 100% of eligible costs (ESA contribution limited to 30% of total project cost).
      • Universities and research organisations with commercial interest: up to 75%.
• Applicants are responsible for providing the remaining co-funding.

Submission Deadlines

• Opening date: 15 July 2026
• Closing date: 27 November 2026
• Webinar: 15 July 2026, 11:00 CEST

Submission Conditions

• Proposals must address the Road and Traffic Safety thematic challenge.
• Projects must be submitted as either a Proof-of-Concept Study or Pilot Project.
• Solutions must utilise at least one ESA-recognised space asset (Satellite Communications, Earth Observation and/or Satellite Navigation).
• Applications follow the standard ESA Business Applications submission process through esa-star, including engagement with the relevant National Delegation where required.

Eligible Types of Businesses

• Companies (start-ups, SMEs and large companies)
• Consortia involving industrial and non-industrial partners
• Cross-sectoral teams combining space and non-space expertise

Applicants should demonstrate a clear user need and commercial potential for the proposed service.

Eligible Countries

The call page states that the list of eligible countries will be published separately. Applicants must be based in the countries specified in the corresponding esa-star tender documentation once available.

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