Space critical equipment for EU non-dependence

The Horizon Europe call “Space critical equipment for EU non-dependence” aims at the strategic strengthening of the European space sector through the development and maturation of critical space components. Eligible entities include legal persons from EU Member States as well as associated countries – including companies, start-ups, research institutions, universities, non-profit organizations, and public bodies. The core objective is to reduce dependence on non-European supply chains for essential space technology and to establish sustainable, trustworthy supply chains within Europe. Projects cover the entire research and innovation cycle and are supported as grants with a funding rate of up to 100%. Through a single-stage selection process, consortia with at least three partners from different countries can apply for funding amounts between €250,000 and €300,000 for a duration of up to 36 months. Eligible costs include personnel expenses, material costs, subcontracting services, and travel expenses.

The submission period for project proposals runs from 9 March to 2 September 2027 (17:00 Brussels time). In a competitive evaluation procedure, proposals are assessed based on the criteria of excellence, strategic autonomy potential, and quality of implementation. Eligibility requirements include the submission of complete application documents via the Horizon Europe portal, the interdisciplinary composition of the consortium, and compliance with EU security and ethics standards. Interested space SMEs, start-ups, and research institutions pursuing sustainable and innovation-driven solutions for space technology are warmly invited to become part of the European effort to achieve long-term strategic autonomy in the space sector.