Deadline Date: September 03, 2026
The European Commission is now accepting applications to advance European capabilities in space by developing resilient EEE components and technologies that safeguard mission security and strengthen EU strategic independence.
The project focuses on reinforcing EU strategic autonomy by reducing non-EU dependencies on critical space EEE components and related technologies across their entire supply chain, providing unrestricted access to critical space EEE components and related technologies relevant for EU space missions including Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, IRIS2, and EU pilot missions on In-Orbit Space Operations and Quantum Gravimetry, developing or regaining capacity to operate independently in space by establishing resilient supply chains relying on EU or trustable third-country sources not affected by export restrictions, and enhancing competitiveness by developing products and capabilities with equivalent or superior performance to non-EU alternatives to compete globally.
Funding allocated for this topic is €12,740,000, with individual projects eligible for €12,000,000 to €13,000,000, and participation is open to any legal entity worldwide, including non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided Horizon Europe regulations are met.
Access to state-of-the-art space EEE components is critical for responding to EU space missions, yet for certain component families, EU solutions currently do not meet high-performance requirements. Alternatives sourced from outside the EU may face export control restrictions or supply chain trust issues, potentially compromising security and operational independence.
Within this framework, development projects are expected to mature critical space EEE components with the ultimate goal of reducing dependency on non-EU sources. Long-term sustainable supply chains should be established primarily within the EU, and if certain advanced processes or materials are unavailable domestically, third-country services must ensure the overall supply chain remains reliable and free from export restrictions. The selection of the supply chain must align with EU strategic autonomy objectives.
Applicants are required to provide detailed descriptions of the technology and technology processes, the high-level breakdown of the space EEE component supply chain, and demonstrate that the supply chain and final product are not subject to legal export restrictions such as ITAR or equivalent regulations. Proposals must also describe technology development processes to prevent vulnerabilities and avoid non-EU export restrictions. For projects targeting TRL 5 or higher, a list of relevant standards or technical guidance for formal space evaluation and qualification should be included, and deliverables must include a sensitive data pack planned for submission to the qualification authority. Successfully evaluated hardware is expected to display the EU emblem.
For more information, visit European Commission.
