European Space Agency’s new funding opportunity: Space for Smart and Uncrewed Shipping, downstream services enabled by 5G and advanced positioning, navigation and timing (PNT).
Space-related technologies (5G/Satellite Telecommunications, advanced PNT technologies, Satellite Earth observation) are a substantial advantage in the support of innovation and sustainable development of the maritime and coastal economy.
Through this call for proposals ESA’s objective is to support the development of space based downstream services and solutions relying on advanced technologies in the smart and uncrewed shipping domain. Ultimately the goal is to advance the safe integration of uncrewed maritime vessels in general maritime traffic.
Scope of the activities
Projects must address at least one of the stakeholders and user’s need identified as follows: Towards shipping 4.0, Monitoring of coastal areas, Maritime surveillance, and Environment sustainability. Further detailed information and use case of identified scenarios can be found here.
Applications shall focus on the design, development and demonstration stages of the developed product. Thus, it shall include advanced PNT technologies, and/or hybrid Space and 5G terrestrial communication networks.
2 types of activities are to be funded under this call:
– Feasibility study investigating the technical viability and business potential of services that use both 5G and satellite/space-based data;
– Demonstration project dedicated to the implementation and demonstration on pre-operational services.
Funding rate and timeline
The selected projects will be financed up to 50%, for a feasibility study or a demonstration project. The remainder has to be financed by the tenderer and/or other partners’ direct or indirect co-financing.
This funding opportunity runs from March 17th 2021 until September 15th 2021. First intake with the submission of the outline proposal before June 15th 2021; If selected, second intake with the submission of the final proposal before September 15th 2021.
Interested? You can already register to the SMART AND UNCREWED SHIPPING webinar on the ESA platform, March 17th 2021 – 11:00am CET.