ESA supports companies in Italy willing to use space technology in their processes or willing to enter the space market through the ESA Spark Funding program.
STAM, ESA, and ASI welcome applications addressing:
- Spin-off: transfer of space technology/assets into non-space domains/services
- Spin-in: transfer of a non-space technology/assets into space domains/services
The scope of activity of the ESA Spark Funding Open Call covers:
Phase 1
Technical Breadboarding & Business Case
Financial contribution: €75.000
Co-funding: min. 20% for SMEs, min. 50% for large companies.
Duration: up to 12 months.
Objectives: Definition of a minimal viable product/service and technical breadboard to validate critical functions and value proposition, as well as the refinement of an applicable business case.
Phase 2
Demonstration Project with Customer/User
Financial contribution: €150.000
Co-funding: min. 20% for SMEs, min. 50% for large companies.
Duration: up to 12 months.
Objectives: For spin-off projects: definition of an elaborate prototype/service and demonstration of the major capabilities in a relevant environment. For spin-in projects: a clear advance in complexity, system integration, testing envelope must be evident compared to an existing prior technical breadboard.
The application is made by submitting the “Application Template” (see below) to SparkFunding@esa-technology-broker.it. Please also send any questions to this address.
How to apply
Applications can be submitted at any time (open call). An evaluation round is planned for 2024, for which the following deadline applies:
1) 16/09/2024 at 23:59 CET.
In order to apply, please consult the Invitation to apply and download the template for the relevant call:
Make sure you have filled in all the sections of the ESA Spark Funding Application Template and submit it as a single .pdf document to the e-mail address SparkFunding@esa-technology-broker.it with subject “ESA Spark Funding Italy Open Call”. Any questions related to submission of proposals should be sent to the same e-mail address.
No other form of submission is accepted and will not be evaluated.
You can download a draft of the contract and you need to confirm and sign in the cover letter of your application that all the contract conditions have been read, understood and accepted.
The Tender Evaluation Board will be held between 30th Sept and 4th Oct 2024. If selected, the technology broker will be in contact with the applicants. Please make sure to be available for a 15 minutes pitch and 15 minutes of Q&A session.