The Arctic, the most northerly region on Earth, is centred on the North Pole and defined as the area North of the Arctic Circle, 66°N. It is known for its polar night, extensive sea ice, tundra landscape, polar climate and cold adapted ecosystems. It is a region that is also disproportionately impacted by climate change, warming three to four times faster than the global average.
The melting ice has led to the Arctic becoming a strategic security zone, as competing global powers vie for control of newly accessible shipping routes and abundant natural resources including oil, gas and rare-earth minerals.
Rapid snowmelt threatens towns, roads and industrial infrastructure with flooding, while so-called ‘zombie’ or overwintering wildfires burn year-round in the carbon-rich peat, undetected for extensive periods of time before re-emerging to the surface. Thawing permafrost causes land subsidence, destabilising buildings and releasing greenhouse gases, pollutants and pathogens.
The diverse threats facing the Arctic environment, livelihoods, security and economy are expected to become more consequential over time. There is a pressing need to develop solutions to address current and emerging challenges. From maritime safety and surveillance, to search and rescue, defence and security, environmental protection, food security and critical infrastructure protection, the potential for using satellite technologies in innovative solutions is immense.
Structure of the Arctic call
To address the diversity and complexity of the challenges affecting the Arctic region, this Call for Proposals is composed of three complementary and thematically focused sub‑calls.
Each sub‑call targets a specific set of user needs and operational challenges, while sharing a common objective: supporting the development of space‑enabled services that enhance resilience, safety, sustainability and security in the Arctic region.
The three sub‑calls are designed to be distinct yet interconnected, reflecting the tight interplay between environmental change, economic activity, maritime operations and geopolitical dynamics. Applicants are encouraged to focus on the sub‑call that best matches their use case and user community.
Sub‑call 1 – Environmental and economic resilience - opening 4 June 2026
This sub‑call focuses on protecting Arctic ecosystems and supporting climate‑resilient economic activities, with particular attention to fisheries, aquaculture, environmental monitoring, pollution detection and food security. It addresses the growing impact of climate change, increased maritime activity and environmental stressors on both Arctic livelihoods and natural resources.
Sub‑call 2 – Safety, navigation, and operations
This sub‑call targets safe maritime navigation and operations in the Arctic, where melting sea ice is not only increasing traffic but also exposing vessels to significant hazards. It addresses challenges related to ice monitoring, route optimisation, search and rescue, situational awareness, and the safe operation of maritime, air and land activities in a remote and infrastructure‑limited environment.
Sub‑call 3 – Security and critical protection
This sub‑call addresses security, sovereignty and protection of critical infrastructure in an increasingly contested region. It focuses on enhancing situational awareness, monitoring unlawful and grey‑zone activities, protecting strategic assets, and supporting Arctic states and allies in responding to growing geopolitical and hybrid threats.
What we look for
We look for promising business ideas addressing topics of relevance or related areas that propose:
- attractive market opportunities, identified customer needs and customer engagement
- commercially-viable service concepts
- technically feasible solutions
- added value of space data or technology
- motivated teams with business, technical and financial expertise
What we offer
We offer funding and support to companies, both for business case assessment and for the development of new, space-based services. Our offer includes:
- zero-equity funding*
- technical and commercial guidance
- access to our network and partners
- ESA brand credibility
*(50-80% depending on SME Status and Member State Approval)
How to apply
The initiative is open to the submission of proposals for:
- Proof-of-Concept Studies - which provide the preparatory framework to identify, analyse, define and de-risk novel commercially sustainable services
- Pilot Projects - dedicated to the implementation and demonstration of pre-operational services
Proposals must be submitted via the ESA Activity Pitch Questionnaire (APQ).
Applicants are encouraged to engage with their National Delegation prior to submission.
Details about how to apply to this call can be found here.
Further information and important documentation and guidance around the application process is available here.
Please note that these pages are updated regularly. In the unlikely case of contradictory information on different platforms, details published on esa-star take precedence