Open Call for Proposals: Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects
Open Call for Proposals: Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects supports businesses developing space-enabled services, from validating market opportunities to testing solutions with customers.
Funder: European Space Agency
Due Dates: November 30, 2026 (Denmark APQ) | June 30, 2027 (Denmark full proposal) | November 16, 2027 (clarification requests) | November 30, 2027 (call closing)
Funding Amounts: Proof-of-concept activity costs up to €600,000; pilot costs assessed case by case; ESA co-funding rates depend on entity type
Summary: Supports businesses developing space-enabled services, from validating market opportunities to testing solutions with customers.
Key Information: Applicants must be based in a state participating in BASS; full proposals generally require written national authorisation of ESA funding.
Description
The European Space Agency (ESA) invites proposals for space-enabled applications and services in any industry, market or topic through its Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme. The open call supports two stages of development. Proof-of-concept studies reduce risk and validate a market opportunity by designing a service concept, engaging users and developing a Minimum Viable Product.
Pilot projects integrate, develop and test an application or service with customers in its primary target market. They aim to demonstrate the solution in a real operational setting and confirm its value. BASS combines co-funding with business and technical expertise to help move user-driven ideas toward market-ready services.
