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Call for Proposals: University of Tomorrow

Description

The ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) "University of Tomorrow" Call for Proposals is a competitive Kick-start funding opportunity supporting innovative space-enabled services and applications that help universities address emerging challenges in higher education. The call focuses on solutions that improve research, education, campus operations and student experiences by leveraging space technologies and satellite data. Successful projects undertake a six-month feasibility study to validate the technical feasibility, commercial viability and user demand for the proposed service.

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.
  • ESA funds 75% of eligible project costs.
  • Maximum ESA contribution: €75,000 per selected study.
  • Maximum total project cost: €100,000.
  • Applicants must provide the remaining 25% of project costs.

Submission Deadlines

  • Opening date: 18 June 2026
  • Closing date: 31 August 2026

Submission Conditions

  • Applicants must register their organisation in esa-star Registration.
  • Applicants must download the official tender documents from esa-star Publication.
  • Proposals must be prepared using the official ESA documentation.
  • Applicants must obtain a Written Authorisation for ESA Funding from their National Delegation before submission.
  • Final proposals must be submitted through esa-star Tendering before the deadline.
  • Proposed services must utilise one or more space assets and address challenges related to the "University of Tomorrow" theme.

Eligible Types of Businesses

  • Companies of any size.
  • Start-ups.
  • SMEs.
  • Large companies.

The opportunity is open to companies intending to develop space-enabled services and products related to the University of Tomorrow theme.

Eligible Countries

  • To be eligible for funding, your team must be based in one of the following countries:
    Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
  • Norway and The Netherlands are not supporting this call.

Expected Outcome

Projects are expected to deliver:

  • A validated feasibility study for a space-enabled service.
  • Evidence of technical feasibility.
  • Evidence of commercial viability and market demand.
  • A strengthened business case.
  • Validation of the integration of satellite data and/or space technologies.
  • Engagement with prospective users and customers.
  • A clear roadmap towards a commercially viable service.

The studies should demonstrate a credible pathway to developing commercially successful services for the higher education sector.

Scope

The call supports Kick-start feasibility studies that develop innovative services for higher education using one or more space assets (Satellite Earth Observation, Satellite Communications and/or Satellite Navigation).

Example application areas include:

  • Democratisation of data and knowledge
  • Virtual laboratories (AR/VR-enabled learning)
  • Serious gaming for education
  • Remote learning
  • Connected and smart university campuses
  • Digital twins of campuses
  • Smart energy management
  • Research infrastructure and campus connectivity

The listed topics are illustrative rather than exhaustive; proposals addressing other relevant challenges for the "University of Tomorrow" are also eligible.

Partner Requests

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