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ESA Open Call For Proposals: Kick-starts

Description

The ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) Open Call for Proposals – Kick-starts supports six-month feasibility studies that assess the technical feasibility, commercial viability and market demand for innovative services that use space assets. Each Kick-start project must utilise at least one space asset, such as satellite communications, satellite Earth observation, or satellite navigation. During the study, applicants are expected to design the service architecture, engage potential customers, refine the business plan and define the next steps towards commercial implementation.

Funding Amount

  • Funding is provided by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme.
  • ESA funds 75% of eligible project costs.
  • ESA provides up to €75,000 per contract.
  • The maximum total project cost is €100,000.
  • Applicants must provide the remaining 25% co-funding.

Submission Deadlines

The call is continuously open, with proposals evaluated according to fixed batch deadlines.

2026 submission deadlines:

  • 27 February 2026, 13:00 CET
  • 27 March 2026, 13:00 CET
  • 29 May 2026, 13:00 CET
  • 28 August 2026, 13:00 CET
  • 30 October 2026, 13:00 CET

Submission Conditions

  • Applications may be submitted at any time.
  • Proposals are evaluated in accordance with the published batch deadlines.
  • Projects must be Kick-start feasibility studies with a duration of approximately six months.
  • The proposed service must utilise at least one space asset (e.g. satellite communications, Earth observation or satellite navigation).
  • Applicants should consult the esa-star publication for the applicable procurement documentation and the list of participating Member States.

Eligible Types of Businesses

  • Companies from any business sector.
  • Start-ups.
  • SMEs.
  • Large companies.
  • Consortia where appropriate.

The programme seeks organisations with commercially viable ideas that incorporate space technologies or space-derived data into innovative services.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be established in participating ESA Member States.

Expected Outcome

Projects are expected to deliver:

  • a validated assessment of the technical feasibility of the proposed service;
  • evidence of commercial viability and customer demand;
  • a refined business plan;
  • a technical service architecture;
  • a roadmap for subsequent product or service development and commercialisation.

Successful Kick-starts are intended to prepare projects for future ESA demonstration or implementation activities.

Scope

The call supports Kick-start feasibility studies that:

  • assess whether a proposed service is technically feasible and commercially viable;
  • validate customer demand and market potential;
  • develop a technical service architecture;
  • engage with potential users and customers;
  • strengthen the business case; and
  • prepare for subsequent development and demonstration activities.

Projects must make use of one or more space assets, including:

  • Satellite Communications (SatCom)
  • Satellite Earth Observation (EO)
  • Satellite Navigation (PNT/GNSS)

The call is open throughout the year, with proposals evaluated in periodic batches.

Partner Requests

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