Deadline Date: June 12, 2026
The University of Tomorrow initiative is designed to support space-enabled applications and services that help universities address challenges in education, research, and institutional sustainability.
The focus areas, of this opportunity include supporting universities with financial instability, rapid technological advancements, shifting student expectations, inclusivity concerns, declining enrolment rates, and budgetary pressures. It also focuses on adapting to global changes such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, climate change, sustainability, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts, and migration, while enabling the use of space technologies in research, education, and infrastructure.
This initiative encourages proposals for early-stage service concepts that use satellite data and space technologies to address real challenges faced by universities. These solutions are expected to demonstrate both technical feasibility and commercial potential, while clearly addressing customer needs and showing a credible pathway toward viable services.
Space technologies are highlighted as a key enabler in supporting university functions. Satellite imagery and data can contribute to areas such as climate research, disaster management, and resource allocation, while GPS and communication satellites can support campus navigation, remote learning, and global connectivity.
Applicants are expected to be experienced and motivated teams capable of developing strong business and technical foundations for their proposed solutions. The focus is on feasibility studies that help validate the integration of satellite data and space technologies into practical, real-world applications over a defined development period.
Selected projects receive funding covering 75 percent of the study cost, up to a maximum of €75,000 per project, with a total eligible cost of up to €100,000. The support is provided on a zero-equity basis and includes technical and commercial guidance, access to networks and partners, and the use of the ESA brand for the proposed service.
Applicants must ensure they have a clear plan for obtaining required space data and possess the necessary internal expertise to manage its integration, as direct access to space data is not provided. The initiative is open to companies intending to develop space-enabled services across eligible countries.
For eligibility, participating teams must be based in countries including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other approved nations.
For more information, visit ESA.
