Digitalisation of the Water Sector
ESA funds projects using satellite-based digital solutions to tackle water scarcity, pollution, and resilience, supporting innovative research for sustainable water management.
Funder: European Space Agency
Due Dates: May 12, 2026 (APQ submission opens) | August 30, 2026 (APQ submission closes, 13:00 CET)
Funding Amounts: Up to €600,000 for Proof-of-Concept Studies; Pilot Projects funded case-by-case. ESA covers 50–80% of eligible costs (higher rates for SMEs and non-commercial entities).
Summary: Supports development and demonstration of digital and space-based solutions for sustainable and resilient water management.
Key Information: Applicants must be based in ESA BASS participating states or Canada; APQ is mandatory as first step.
Description
This opportunity from the European Space Agency (ESA) seeks to foster digitalisation and adoption of innovative space-enabled solutions addressing critical water sector challenges, such as water scarcity, pollution, infrastructure strain, and climate impacts. The call targets technologies that leverage satellite Earth observation, navigation, and communication systems to improve water sustainability, operational efficiency, and resilience for utilities and authorities. Activities can range from proof-of-concept studies to pilot projects, with the aim of validating and scaling commercially viable services that contribute to water security, quality, and infrastructure robustness.
