Description

The ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) Digitalisation of the Water Sector Call for Proposals is a non-competitive funding opportunity supporting the development of space-enabled digital solutions that improve water sustainability, resilience and sanitation. The call aims to address global challenges such as water scarcity, pollution, ageing infrastructure, climate change and inefficient water management by combining satellite technologies with digital innovations. Projects are funded as Proof-of-Concept Studies or Pilot Projects.

Funding Amount

• Funding is provided by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme.
• Funding is provided as zero-equity co-funding.
• Projects may be submitted as:
  • Proof-of-Concept Studies
  • Pilot Projects
• ESA funding covers 50%–80% of eligible project costs, depending on:
  • applicant SME status; and
  • approval by the relevant National Delegation.
• Applicants must provide the remaining project co-funding.

Submission Deadlines

• Opening date: 12 May 2026
• Closing date: 30 August 2026

Submission Conditions

• Proposals must address the Digitalisation of the Water Sector challenge.
• Projects must be submitted as either a Proof-of-Concept Study or a Pilot Project.
• Proposed services must utilise one or more ESA-recognised space assets (Satellite Earth Observation, Satellite Navigation and/or Satellite Communications).
• Applicants must register in esa-star and submit proposals using the ESA application process.
• A Written Authorisation for ESA Funding from the relevant National Delegation(s) is required before submission of the Full Proposal.
• Letters of Intent (LoIs) from pilot users are required for projects involving pilot activities.
• Companies may request matchmaking with water and sanitation operators through ESA and the Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) to identify potential pilot users.

Eligible Types of Businesses

• Companies of any size
• Start-ups
• SMEs
• Large companies
• Consortia (optional)

The call is open to companies intending to develop commercial space-enabled services related to the digitalisation of the water sector.

Eligible Countries

To be eligible for funding, your team must be based in one of the following countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Canada.