The Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme is ESA's go-to place for great business ideas involving space in all areas of society and economy. Its mission is to support entrepreneurs in Europe in the development of innovative and sustainable products/services in any market sector, using satellite applications and space technology.
The BASS programme provides different types of funding opportunities to support the development of sustainable product/services utilising space data and technologies: open calls for proposals, for activities initiated by companies, and open competition for activities defined by ESA in consultation with its stakeholders.
One of the currently open competitions is named "ICT and Electronic Devices Sustainability". As the ICT and electronics sector continues to grow, developing innovative solutions that improve the lifespan and sustainability of such markets, while reducing their impact on health and the environment, is vital. The intended solution can target any part of a product’s lifecycle - from improving the sustainable sourcing of materials, to helping recover useful components as products reach the end of their lifecycle.
ESA has identified three challenges related to this matter:
structural integrity, disposal and recycling of batteries;
export and management of electronic waste (e-waste);
environmental effects of data centres and blockchain-powered solutions.
More details about these challenges and examples of potential services addressing them are available on the competition's dedicated webpage.
What ESA is looking for, and offering
ESA is looking for promising business ideas which address 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.
The Agency offers funding and support to companies, both for business case assessment and for the development of new, space-based services. The offer includes technical & commercial guidance, access to ESA's network and partners, use of the ESA brand for the selected service, zero-equity funding. ESA will co-fund 80% of the acceptable cost, up to €200,000, per awarded study.
This opportunity is open to companies that intend to develop space-enabled services and products related, but not restricted, to the topics of relevance. To be eligible for funding, your team must be based in one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom. Teams can involve non-European entities, but their contribution to the activity cannot be funded by ESA.
In order to apply a project to the competition:
Register your team on esa-star Registration today. If your team is made up of more than one organisation, each entity will need to register.
Download the official tender documents from esa-star when the opportunity is open. This includes a letter of invitation, proposal template, draft contract, and additional information about this opportunity.
Prepare your proposal using the official tender documents and reach out to your National Delegation to obtain a Letter of Authorisation.
Submit your proposal via esa-star Tendering by the deadline.
The current closing date of the "ICT and Electronic Devices Sustainability" competition is April 18th, 2024.
More information about the initiative is available in this official presentation.
