Open Call for Proposals: Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects
ESA funds proof-of-concept and pilot projects for innovative space-enabled applications in any sector, supporting early validation and operational testing to accelerate market-ready solutions.
Funder: European Space Agency
Due Dates: November 16, 2027 (Clarification/Extension Request Deadline) | November 30, 2027 (Full Proposal Submission Deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to €600,000 for proof-of-concept studies; pilot project budgets assessed case-by-case; ESA co-funding up to 80% for SMEs, up to 100% for non-commercial public entities.
Summary: Funds proof-of-concept studies and pilot projects for innovative space-enabled applications or services in any sector, supporting both early-stage validation and operational testing.
Key Information: Open only to organizations in ESA BASS-participating states; co-funding requirements vary by organization type.
Description
This open call from the European Space Agency (ESA) supports proof-of-concept studies and pilot projects for the development of innovative space-enabled applications and services in any industry or market. Through the Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) element of the ACCESS programme, ESA aims to accelerate the transformation of novel ideas into market-ready products, providing de-risking support, technical and business expertise, and access to commercialisation networks. The initiative is designed to foster both early-stage validation (proof-of-concept) and real-world operational demonstration (pilot projects), with a strong emphasis on user-driven innovation and measurable socio-economic impact.
