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

Digital enablers and building-blocks for Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunication for Space solutions (Space Partnership)

Space critical Equipment for EU non-dependence – Space Refuelling Interface

European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ERDERA) (Phase 2)

Virtual Human Twin (VHT) Models for Cancer Research

Improve the Quality of Life of older cancer patients

Boosting mental health of young cancer survivors through the European Cancer Patient Digital Centre (ECPDC)

Full-scale demonstration of heat upgrade solutions in industrial processes

Developing methods to assess the presence, functions and sensitivity of groundwater ecosystems

Advanced recovery of critical raw materials from Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

Understanding the forms of local democracy in low-income and low-middle income countries

Preventing and fighting illicit trafficking of cultural goods

Safeguarding linguistic diversity in Europe

Sustainable paths to media viability

Creative alliances: Fostering global partnerships in cultural policies and CCI innovation

Standardising and supporting climate services for climate adaptation

Leveraging long-term field experiments and other datasets to develop AI-ready decision support systems for sustainable soil management

Large-scale demonstration for mapping the distribution and condition of marine habitats to implement the Nature Restoration Regulation

AI integration in CCSI work practice: catalysing innovation and competitiveness

Towards a European network of ocean technology testing sites

By fishers, for fishers: co-management of marine and freshwaters ecosystems and resources

Rethinking long-term care policy in the face of EU demographic shifts

Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality

Addressing aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss through nature positive solutions from source to sea

Governing global commons sustainably

Integration of Galileo PRS receivers on weapon systems and NAVWAR operational centres in military C2

Energy efficient urban and sub-urban public transport, complemented by shared mobility

Flagship-pilot: large-scale demonstrations of CCAM (CCAM Partnership)

Enhanced resilience in multimodal passenger transport through digital technologies and generative and discriminative AI

Increasing competitiveness and resilience of multimodal freight transport and logistics for competitive supply chains

Enhancing the security of citizens against terrorism and lone-actor violence in confined spaces such as schools

Frequently Asked Questions About Space EU Grants