Description

The ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) Wildfires Call for Proposals is a non-competitive funding opportunity supporting the development of space-enabled services that improve wildfire management. The call forms part of ESA's Wildfire Safety initiative and supports innovative applications that use satellite technologies and data to strengthen wildfire preparedness and response. The current call focuses on Wildfire Preparedness, addressing wildfire risk assessment, fuel load management, and preventative and adaptation measures to reduce wildfire impacts. 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: 1 September 2026
• Closing date: 1 December 2026, 13:00 CET
• Webinar: 30 September 2026, 11:00–12:00 CEST.

Submission Conditions

• Proposals must address the Wildfire Preparedness theme.
• Projects must be submitted as either a Proof-of-Concept Study or a Pilot Project.
• Solutions must utilise one or more ESA-recognised space assets:
  • Satellite Earth Observation (EO)
  • Satellite Navigation (GNSS/PNT)
  • Satellite Communications (SatCom)
• Applicants should demonstrate:
  • credible customer engagement;
  • clearly identified customer needs;
  • commercial market potential;
  • technical feasibility;
  • clear added value from the use of space technologies.
• Applicants must obtain a Written Authorisation for ESA Funding from the relevant National Delegation before submitting a Full Proposal.

Eligible Types of Businesses

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

The opportunity is open to companies intending to develop commercial space-enabled services related to wildfire preparedness and management.

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.

Potential Tenderers are strongly advised to contact the National Delegation(s) of the countries where their industrial partners (Prime and Subcontractors) are located as soon as possible and to apply for a Written Authorisation for ESA funding, as such authorisation is required for the Full Proposal.