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

Strengthening evidence-based policies for the resilience of European agriculture and forestry and related supply chains against crises and systemic risks

Societal impact of cultural heritage

Governance, sustainable development and international politics of a future ice-free Arctic

Identifying user-focused solutions to support news media freedom

Increasing the resilience of agriculture in water and nutrient-scarce environments through digital innovations

Impact of access to nature-positive environments in promoting social cohesion and reducing inequalities in urban and peri-urban settings

Crafting routes to a circular economy

Future-proofing sustainable cultural tourism

Safeguarding & transmission of intangible cultural heritage

Advancing circular logistics solutions in cities

Enhancing Resilience and Accuracy in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Systems and e-conspicuity solutions

Enhancing Mobility for All: affordable, reliable, and accessible multimodal transport for inclusive rural and urban connectivity – Societal Readiness pilot

Enhancing decision support system for disaster crises: leveraging emerging technologies for improved civil preparedness and crisis management

Enhancing preparedness for large-scale cross-border disasters

Online harms detection and investigation tools using a short development cycle model

Open topic on increasing security of citizens against terrorism, including in public spaces

Accelerating uptake through open proposals for advanced SME innovation

Community of practice - Data-Driven Decision-Making in Energy

Novel combinations of knowledge and research methods to address social issues and advance a fair green transition of neighbourhoods

Intergenerational neighbourhoods and communities aligned with the New European Bauhaus

Mass customisation of offsite manufactured modular construction components to transform the existing built environment

Anticipating the long-term future of neighbourhoods in line with the New European Bauhaus

The transformative potential of co-governance in the green transition of neighbourhoods

Fostering and maintaining the social fabric for the green transition in neighbourhoods

The impact of common space on neighbourhood communities

Beautiful, sustainable and inclusive street furniture for the transformation of neighbourhoods

Understand and minimise the environmental impacts of offshore wind energy

New CO2 capture technologies

Underground Thermal Energy Storage in dense urban areas

Innovative solutions for a generative AI-powered digital spine of the EU energy system

Frequently Asked Questions About Space EU Grants