Deadline: 15 May 2026
The European Space Agency is seeking applications to develop space-enabled applications that support wetland sustainability and create viable business opportunities.
The opportunity focuses on addressing customer needs, demonstrating commercial potential and technical feasibility, leveraging satellite data or space technology, supporting wetland sustainability, enabling feasibility studies, fostering innovation in conservation and restoration services, and encouraging the development of commercially viable space-enabled solutions.
Wetlands play a critical role in providing essential ecosystem services such as water purification, flood control, and biodiversity support, yet they face increasing threats from drainage, pollution, and climate change. This has led to a growing need for sustainable management solutions, particularly in Europe where supportive policies are driving demand for restoration and conservation services. The integration of space data presents a valuable opportunity to enhance monitoring, management, and decision-making processes for wetlands.
This opportunity supports early-stage service concepts that respond to real customer needs while demonstrating both technical feasibility and commercial potential. Applicants are expected to propose innovative solutions that make use of satellite data or space technologies and present a clear pathway toward developing viable services. Teams applying should be experienced, motivated, and capable of advancing their concepts into practical and market-ready solutions.
Selected projects will receive funding of up to 75% of the total project cost, with a maximum contribution of €75,000 per activity, supporting feasibility studies conducted over a six-month period. During this time, teams can refine their business case, validate technical components, integrate space technologies, and engage with potential users and customers. In addition to financial support, participants benefit from technical and commercial guidance, access to a broad network of partners, and the opportunity to leverage the European Space Agency’s brand. Applicants are responsible for securing access to the necessary space data and must ensure they have the expertise required to manage this aspect of the project.
The opportunity is open to companies intending to develop space-enabled services and products, provided that their teams are based in eligible countries including Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
For more information, visit ESA.
