A Financial Support Program is currently open for applications, offering funding to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The initiative aims to support the development or adoption of solutions that utilize downstream space technologies to foster environmental sustainability. The program facilitates the contracting of External Service Providers to help SMEs implement space-enabled green solutions, thereby advancing the transition toward more sustainable and circular business practices.
Program Objectives
The program is designed for companies seeking to use downstream space data to generate a positive environmental impact. This can be achieved through two primary avenues:
• For the company itself: By enhancing internal processes to minimize the use of resources, reduce waste, or decrease pollution.
• For their users: By creating products or services that enable better resource management or environmental monitoring.
The program is structured to support projects across all stages of development, from initial ideation to final-stage solutions.
Funding and Program Scale
• Total Program Budget: €1,250,000
• Number of SMEs to be Supported: 35
• Maximum Funding per SME: €50,000
Eligibility Criteria
• Eligible Applicants: Applicants must be SMEs based in European Union member states or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
• Core Requirement: Companies must demonstrate their capacity to leverage downstream space data, such as Earth Observation (EO), remote sensing, or satellite navigation, to reduce their environmental footprint.
• SME Definition: To qualify, an applicant must meet the official EU definition of an SME, which includes having fewer than 250 employees and either an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.
Focus Areas
The program places a specific emphasis on supporting solutions that address the following areas:
• Improvement of circularity, resource efficiency, and waste management.
• Safe, resource-efficient, and environmentally friendly management of primary, secondary, and critical raw materials.
• Improved environmental monitoring.
Application Process
• Step 1: Register on the OnePass application platform. New accounts can be created, or users can register via a Google account.
• Step 2: Complete the application form, providing a detailed description of the proposed solution and the services required from External Service Providers.
• Step 3: Submit the completed application through the platform.
Program Timeline
• Application Period: January 2026
• First Cut-off: February 2026
• Second Application Period: March 2026
• Final Application Deadline: March 31, 2026, at 23:59 CET (Brussels time)
• Second Evaluation and Selection: April 2026
• Subsequent Stages: Signing of Sub-Grant Agreements, matchmaking with External Service Providers, and implementation of transformation projects (up to 6 months after signing).
• Final Stage: Final review and payment of the voucher.
Additional Information and Resources
• Quotation Definition: A quotation is a formal written offer from an External Service Provider that outlines the price, scope, and conditions for a specific service. It is used to justify the proposed service and cost.
• Best Value for Money Principle: Funding must be used in a way that ensures the most advantageous combination of price and quality. This principle requires that all costs are reasonable, necessary for the project, and compliant with sound financial management.
• Product Purchases: The funding is intended for services, not standalone products. A product may be eligible only if it is an indispensable component of an eligible service and cannot be separated from it.
• Support: Applicants are advised to consult the detailed Guide for Applicants and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section. For further questions, the program helpdesk can be contacted at helpdesk@project-fierce.eu.
Interested SMEs that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to review the program details and application guidelines thoroughly. The final deadline for submissions is March 31, 2026, providing a clear timeline for prospective applicants to prepare and submit their proposals.