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EU funding by topic

EU funding for space and satellite technology

Open-call snapshot checked 2026-04-18

Space and satellite companies can access EU funding through Horizon Europe space calls, Digital Europe and EUSPA-linked downstream routes, and the EIC Accelerator for breakthrough single-company space technology.

Best-fit programmes

These programmes are the strongest starting points for space and satellite technology. Exact eligibility still depends on the call topic, partnership model, deadline, and expected outcomes.

Horizon Europe Horizon Europe is the European Union's main research and innovation funding programme for 2021-2027, with a budget of around €93.5 billion. Digital Europe Programme The Digital Europe Programme is the EU's funding programme for deploying digital technology, with a budget of around €7.5 billion for 2021-2027. EIC Accelerator The EIC Accelerator is the European Innovation Council's flagship scheme for single startups and small companies.

Where space funding fits

Space funding is often consortium-heavy. Horizon calls may expect primes, test facilities, downstream users, and credible access to space or data infrastructure.

Smaller teams can still fit when the call explicitly supports downstream applications, enabling technology, or single-company breakthrough innovation.

What to check before applying

Check whether the call is about upstream hardware, downstream applications, data services, secure connectivity, or in-orbit operations. Each has different partnership and proof expectations.

Open calls relevant to space and satellite technology

These open EU calls in the current index snapshot mention themes relevant to space and satellite technology. Keyword filtering is a starting point, not an eligibility check.

Example call themes

  • Horizon Europe space technology and downstream calls
  • Digital Europe secure connectivity and data infrastructure calls
  • EIC Accelerator breakthrough space-tech innovation

Frequently asked questions

Can space startups get EU grants?

Yes. Space startups can be eligible through Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, EUSPA-linked calls, and the EIC Accelerator when the technology and maturity fit the call.

Does EU funding cover satellite applications?

Yes. Downstream satellite applications, Earth observation, secure connectivity, and data-driven services can be funded where they match a relevant call topic.

Other grant topics

EU funding for AI and foundation models AI companies can access EU funding through Horizon Europe for research, Digital Europe for deployment and testing infrastructure, and the EIC Accelerator for breakthrough single-company innovation. EU funding for climate tech and clean energy Climate-tech companies can access EU funding through Horizon Europe for research, the Innovation Fund for first-of-a-kind clean-tech demonstration, LIFE for climate action, and the EIC for breakthrough startups. EU funding for healthtech and biotech Healthtech and biotech companies can access EU funding through Horizon Europe's health cluster, EU4Health for health-system deployment, Digital Europe for health data infrastructure, and the EIC for breakthrough products. EU funding for cybersecurity Cybersecurity companies can access EU funding through Horizon Europe civil-security research, Digital Europe deployment calls, CEF Digital infrastructure routes, and defence/security programmes where eligible. EU funding for education and skills Education and skills organisations can access EU funding through Erasmus+ cooperation and mobility actions, Digital Europe skills calls, and Horizon Europe research where the project has an innovation or evidence component.