This is part of the ESA’s Arctic Region funding call, and supports the development of space‑enabled services addressing environmental protection and climate resilience in the Arctic region. The UK Space Agency is supporting this call, and will fund up to 50% of costs for UK-based participants.
It focuses on monitoring, protecting and strengthening Arctic ecosystems together with economically critical activities such as fisheries and aquaculture, which are increasingly exposed to climate change, pollution and growing maritime pressure.
The objective is to enable services that support environmental monitoring, risk reduction, decision‑making and sustainable resource management in the Arctic and sub‑Arctic regions.
Proposals should address one or more of the following areas:
- Environmental monitoring and pollution detection (e.g. oil spills, emissions, water quality)
- Climate impact monitoring (e.g. warming waters, ecosystem stress, biodiversity)
- Fisheries and aquaculture resilience
- Food security and sustainable Arctic value chains
- Decision‑making support tools for environmental authorities and operators
Who can apply?
This sub‑call is open to:
Applicants should demonstrate a clear user need, with users such as public authorities, environmental agencies, fisheries and aquaculture operators, port and coastal authorities, or environmental service providers.
To be eligible for funding, your team must be based in an ESA member state. This includes the UK, who are supporting this call (see below).
- Companies (start‑ups, SMEs, large companies)
- Consortia involving industrial and non‑industrial partners
- Cross‑sectoral teams combining space and non‑space actors
Eligible projects
This call is open to Proof of Concept Studies and Pilot Projects.
Proof of Concept Studies are limited to a maximum amount of funding which is shown on the call website (in this case, total cost is limited to €600,000), and a maximum duration of nine months. Pilot Projects do not have a maximum financial limit or duration.
UK Space Agency support
The UK Space Agency is funding this call: for more details on UKSA’s support, see their website. (This call comes under the BASS [Business Applications and Space Solutions] programme.) UKSA are able to cover a maximum of 50% of project costs. Proof of Concept Studies are limited to total costs of €600,000 and duration of 9 months. Pilot Projects do not have a maximum financial limit or duration.
Potential Tenderers are strongly advised to contact their National Delegation(s) as soon as possible and to apply for a Written Authorisation for ESA funding. Visit UKSA’s website to find how to do this.
Value of space
Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO) images can be used for detecting oil spills, pollutants such as methane and carbon dioxide, and mapping algal blooming.
Satellite Communications (Satcom) provide resilient communication in the most challenging environments and can send back information from in-situ sensors used for aquaculture and coastal monitoring.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) are vital for geo- and timestamping environmental data, which is essential for accurate analysis.
Briefing and support
The European Space Agency held a webinar briefing for prospective applicants on Wednesday 3 June: download the slides.
If you would like help to find a collaboration partner or have other queries, contact Elaine Livera, KTM for Space at Innovate UK Business Connect.
Proposals should initially be submitted as an Activity Pitch Questionnaire through ESA’s platform; this will be reviewed within 10 working days, and successful applicants will then be asked to submit an outline proposal (within 2 months) and if that is accepted, a full proposal (within 4 months of the outline proposal acceptance). See further details on the application process at UKSA’s website.
