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

Innovative space-based applications enhancing capabilities for a resilient Europe

Space Data Economy

advanced packaging of chiplets and heterogeneous integration in Europe

Health: Data ingestion capacities and data services for the European Genomic Data Infrastructure in the European Health Data Space: data tools

Data Space for Manufacturing

Consolidation of the Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs with reinforced AI focus)

European Digital Media Observatory Hubs

Completion of the initial Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs

ELEVATE: European League of Advanced Digital Skills Academies

Health: Data ingestion capacities and data services for the European Genomic Data Infrastructure in the European Health Data Space: data storage and processing capacity

Deployment of cutting-edge multi-modal AI-based solutions in medical imaging

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

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

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

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)

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

Green Transition Food Processing Africa

Towards the water infrastructures of the future

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

Next generation climate monitoring and related capabilities

Additional activities for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP)

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

Grand Challenge on Quantum Sensors for Inertial Navigation

Frequently Asked Questions About Space EU Grants