Question 1

What EU grants are available for the Space sector?

Accepted Answer

The European Commission offers a wide range of funding opportunities specifically designed for the Space sector. These include grants through Horizon Europe (the EU's flagship research and innovation programme with a budget of €95.5 billion), the European Innovation Council (EIC) which provides funding for breakthrough innovations, and various sector-specific initiatives. Funding types range from Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with 100% funding rates, to Innovation Actions (IA) with 70% funding for companies, and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) for networking and coordination activities. Our database helps you find grants that match your organization's specific needs, project stage, and funding requirements.

Question 2

How do I apply for Space grants from the EU?

Accepted Answer

Applying for EU grants in the Space sector involves several key steps. First, use Grantalist to identify suitable open calls that match your project idea and organization type. Next, carefully review the call documentation, including eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, and the work programme. Most EU grants require you to form a consortium with partners from at least 3 different EU member states or associated countries. Once ready, you'll submit your proposal through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, which includes a detailed description of your project, work packages, budget breakdown, and impact assessment. The evaluation process typically takes 3-5 months, after which successful applicants enter grant agreement preparation. We recommend starting your application at least 2-3 months before the deadline.

Question 3

What is the typical funding amount for Space EU grants?

Accepted Answer

EU grants for the Space sector offer diverse funding levels depending on the programme and action type. Small-scale grants through programmes like EIC Accelerator can start from €500,000 up to €2.5 million in grant funding, plus up to €15 million in equity investment. Collaborative research projects under Horizon Europe typically range from €3 million to €10 million for standard projects, while some large-scale flagship initiatives can exceed €20 million. SMEs and startups often benefit from higher funding rates (up to 70% for Innovation Actions compared to large companies) and access to specialized instruments. The exact amount depends on the specific call topic, project scope, consortium size, and type of activities proposed.

Question 4

Who is eligible for Space EU grants?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility for Space EU grants extends to a wide range of organizations. Legal entities from EU member states and associated countries (including the UK for some programmes, Norway, Switzerland, and others) are typically eligible. This includes universities and research institutions, large enterprises and multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees, startups and scale-ups, public bodies and NGOs, and international organizations. Some calls specifically target certain organization types, such as SME-only calls or academic-focused research grants. Third-country participation is possible in many programmes, though often without EU funding.

EU Grants for Space

Upskilling and reskilling

European Startup and Scaleup Hubs pilot

Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (implementing the ‘Blueprint')

Pillar IV: Advancing Knowledge for ERA

Pillar III: Science comes to town 2028

A European Benchmarking Framework for hybrid quantum-classical computing

A European HPC-centric Benchmark Framework

Regional Cable Hubs

Towards the water infrastructures of the future

Safety of renewable low and zero-carbon waterborne fuels in port areas: risk assessment, regulatory framework, and guidelines for safe bunkering, handling and storage (ZEWT partnership)

Green Transition Food Processing Africa

Energy-efficient software-defined EVs (2ZERO Partnership)

Living labs to enhance soil health in Alpine and Atlantic biogeographical regions

Large-scale demonstration of Heavy-Duty Battery Electric Vehicles (HD BEV) towards long-haul logistics operations (2ZERO Partnership)

Closing knowledge gaps on Earth system science in support of global and regional assessments and climate policy

New thermal insulation concepts for bulk liquid hydrogen shipping

Challenge-Driven GenAI4EU Booster in Apply AI prioritised sectors (RIA) (AI/Data/Robotics Partnership)

Open topic: Develop Earth Intelligence solutions using environmental observations and state-of-the-art AI for sustainable competitiveness and policy making

Advanced Local Digital Twins using AI for Early Warning and Preparedness (IA)

Grand Challenge on Quantum Sensors for Inertial Navigation

Efficient and compliant access to and use of data (IA) (AI, Data and Robotics partnership)

Boosting data availability and AI solutions in food for consumers and food service professionals

Interconnect Earth Observation research for addressing environmental policies

Next generation climate monitoring and related capabilities

Multi-fuel SOFC powertrain for maritime transport

Coordinated European contribution to the WMO Global Greenhouse Gas Watch and its international governance

Additional activities for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP)

Pilot actions for follow-on funding: Leveraging EU-funded collaborative research in regenerative medicine

Public procurement of innovative solutions for improving citizens' access to healthcare through integrated or personalised approaches

Open topic: Uncovering the causes of specific species’ rapid decline and exploring actionable solutions

Frequently Asked Questions About Space EU Grants