ESA helps companies and researchers bring cutting-edge satellite communication products to market – quickly and with financial support
Competitiveness and Growth – which forms part of our Core Competitiveness programme – is dedicated to the development, verification and demonstration of products for the satellite telecommunications market. These products might be any hardware, software, system or sub-system or services. Projects are supported through several development phases: definition, technology, product and demonstration.
Contracts are awarded on the basis of proposals made by industry or academia for the development of products or services in the satellite communications sector – whether there is commercial or non-commercial interest.
Which products does Competitiveness & Growth support?
Who can apply?
Applications for financial support, technical expertise, and access to ESA’s ecosystem are available for the following entities, and within ESA’s Member States.
Application guidelines
1
Check eligibility
3
Receive ESA support
2
Submit proposal
4
Develop your product
Funding Levels
Development phases
Funding with commercial interest
For startups, large enterprises, research centres, universities, space agencies (non-SME) and SMEs with commercial interest in the product.
SME
Funding by development phase
| Phase | TRL Level | Max. Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | – | 80% |
| Technology | Up to 4-6 | 80% |
| Product | Up to 7 | 80% |
| Demonstration | Up to 8 | 80% |
Non-SME
Funding by development phase
| Phase | TRL Level | Max. Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | – | 50% |
| Technology | Up to 4-6 | 50% |
| Product | Up to 7 | 75% |
| Demonstration | Up to 8 | 50% |
Funding with no commercial interest
For research centres and universities with no commercial interest
Research centres and universities
Funding by development phase
| Phase | TRL Level | Max. Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | – | 50% |
| Technology | Up to 4-6 | 100% |
| Product | Up to 7 | 50% |
| Demonstration | Up to 8 | 50% |
RELATED LINKS & CONTACS
CONTACT
David Phillips
ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT)
Fermi Avenue
Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0FD, United Kingdom
+44 (0)7785 439617
David.Phillips@esa.int
ARTES-C&G@esa.int
