Description

The ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) Arctic Region: Safety, Navigation and Operations Call for Proposals is a non-competitive funding opportunity supporting the development of space-enabled services that improve the safety, resilience and efficiency of operations in the Arctic. As one of three thematic sub-calls under the Arctic Region initiative, it focuses on addressing the challenges created by climate change, melting sea ice, increasing maritime traffic and limited infrastructure through innovative applications of satellite technologies. 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 Member State/National Delegation.
• Applicants must provide the remaining project co-funding.

Submission Deadlines

• Opening date: 5 September 2026
• Closing date: 5 November 2026
• Webinar: 9 September 2026, 11:00–12:00 CEST

Submission Conditions

• Proposals must address the Safety, Navigation and Operations theme within the Arctic Region initiative.
• Projects must be submitted as either a Proof-of-Concept Study or a Pilot Project.
• Proposals must be submitted via the ESA Activity Pitch Questionnaire (APQ).
• Applicants are encouraged to engage with their National Delegation before submission.
• The sub-call has been pre-authorised by the Danish delegation, subject to specific national conditions and requirements.
• Projects must utilise one or more ESA-recognised space assets:
  • Satellite Earth Observation (EO)
  • Satellite Communications (SatCom)
  • Satellite Navigation (GNSS/PNT)

Eligible Types of Businesses

• Start-ups
• SMEs
• 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, with target users such as:

• Public authorities
• Coastguard organisations
• Port authorities
• Maritime operators
• Environmental agencies
• Search and rescue organisations
• Infrastructure operators

Eligible Countries

• Eligibility depends on participation in the ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme and the applicable National Delegation approvals.
• The call has been pre-authorised by the Danish delegation, subject to specific national conditions and requirements.
• Applicants should verify their eligibility with their respective National Delegation before applying.