The goal of BASS Funding is to support the development of commercially successful space-based business applications in Europe, by providing funding, technical and business support for entrepreneurs. Businesses from any sector can apply to ESA Business Applications' Open Calls at any time, and in addition there are thematic calls launched throughout the year targeting specific focus areas, with a time-limited application period.
Following the implementation of ACCESS in late 2025, you can find all BASS Funding Calls here on this page as they go live. Sign up to our newsletter to keep up-to-date of up-coming funding opportunities and related webinars.
Find out more about how much funding is available by clicking through to the funding opportunity you are interested in, in the list below.
Open Calls
Open Call for Proposals: Kick-starts
Kick-starts are a type of feasibility study and last six months. The aim of a Kick-start is to determine whether a service is technically feasible and commercially viable, and whether there is demand for it. Kick-starts must involve the use of at least one space asset, such as satellite communications, satellite Earth observation data or satellite navigation.
Open Call for Proposals: Proof-of-concept Studies and Pilot Projects
This is a BASS Open Call for Proposals for Proof-of-concept Studies and Pilot Projects – it is an always open invitation for businesses to apply for a funding activity relating to a space-enabled application or service for any industry, market or topic.
Competitive Calls
University of Tomorrow
Call for Proposals (Competitive) Opening date: 04-05-2026 Closing date: 12-06-2026
Universities, as gateways to knowledge and tools for scientific progress, innovation, and sustainable societal development, are navigating an intricate set of challenges. Space technologies can play a key role in several applications within a university setting, including research, education and infrastructure.
Sustainable Wetlands
Call for Proposals (Competitive) Opening date: 30-03-2026 Closing date: 09-06-2026
The Sustainable Wetlands opportunity invites businesses to submit proposals for space-based applications and services that support wetland sustainability while delivering economically viable business cases. Selected studies can access 75% funding from the European Space Agency, with a maximum of €75,000 per activity.
Rural Transportation Networks
Call for Proposals (Competitive) Opening date: 24-02-2026 Closing date: 29-04-2026
This Rural Transport Network funding call invites business to submit proposals for space-based applications and services that support rural transportation networks. Selected studies can access 75% funding by the European Space Agency, up to €75 000 per activity.
Non-Competitive Thematic Calls for Proposals
Wildfires
Call for Proposals (Non-Competitive)
This initiative is part of the Wildfire Safety initiative and invites proposals for innovative services that advance wildfire management using space technology and data. The following focus areas have been designated with support from European fire and rescue services, civil protection agencies, and forest management authorities.
Digitalisation of the water sector
Call for Proposals (Non-Competitive)
Today, the world faces a defining challenge: how to manage too much, too little or too polluted water in the face of growing populations, climate change and strained infrastructure . Among these pressures, water sanitation has emerged as one the most urgent global concerns.
Unlocking private investment for water solutions, initiating the partnerships needed to finance them at scale, connecting supply and demand, creating sustainable business models, and deploying robust technical solutions are all essential steps for generating enduring economic returns and creating lasting impact in the sector.
The Arctic Region: Environmental and Economic Resilience
Call for Proposals (Non-Competitive)
This is a sub‑call to the Artic Region funding call, and supports the development of space‑enabled services addressing environmental protection and climate resilience in the Arctic region.
It focuses on monitoring, protecting and strengthening Arctic ecosystems together with economically critical activities such as fisheries and aquaculture, which are increasingly exposed to climate change, pollution and growing maritime pressure.
The objective is to enable services that support environmental monitoring, risk reduction, decision‑making and sustainable resource management in the Arctic and sub‑Arctic regions.
The Arctic Region
Call for Proposals (Non-Competitive)
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.
To address the diversity and complexity of the challenges affecting the Arctic region, this Arctic 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.
Kick-start Activities
Rural Transportation Networks
Call for Proposals (Competitive) Opening date: 24 February 2026 Closing date: 29 April 2026
This Rural Transport Network funding call invites business to submit proposals for space-based applications and services that support rural transportation networks. Selected studies can access 75% funding by the European Space Agency, up to €75 000 per activity.
Sustainable Wetlands
Call for Proposals (Competitive) Opening date: 30 March 2026 Closing date: 09 June 2026
The Sustainable Wetlands opportunity invites businesses to submit proposals for space-based applications and services that support wetland sustainability while delivering economically viable business cases. Selected studies can access 75% funding from the European Space Agency, with a maximum of €75,000 per activity.
