A new European Space Agency (ESA) programme offers up to €75,000 per study to support satellite-enabled solutions for Europe’s transportation systems.
ESA’s new funding call aims to improve rural transportation networks across Europe and partner countries, inviting businesses to develop space-enabled services that address long-standing mobility challenges in remote areas.
The initiative, released under ESA’s “Kick-starts” programme, focuses on early-stage concepts that integrate satellite data and space technologies into transportation systems serving rural communities.
Selected teams can receive up to 75% co-funding from ESA, capped at €75,000 per project, to conduct feasibility studies lasting 6 months.
Addressing structural gaps in rural connectivity
Rural transportation networks remain critical for linking remote communities with economic centres, healthcare services and supply chains. Yet these systems often operate under constraints including sparse populations, limited infrastructure investment and difficult terrain.
Across Europe, policymakers have stepped up efforts to close these gaps. Funding streams such as the EU Cohesion Policy and the UK Government’s Future of Transport: Rural Strategy reflect broader attempts to modernise transportation systems while supporting ageing populations and local businesses.
At the same time, climate policy under the European Green Deal has accelerated interest in lower-emission mobility solutions, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure and digital traffic management tools.
ESA’s latest call positions satellite-based services as a potential enabler in this landscape, arguing that space assets could help modernise rural transportation networks in scalable, commercially viable ways.
Focus areas for proposals
The agency has outlined a series of themes it considers particularly relevant, although applicants are not restricted to these areas. They include:
Enhancing public transport services
Supporting autonomous vehicle operations
Expanding electric vehicle charging points in rural regions
Monitoring road conditions and surface degradation
Optimising routes for efficiency and reliability
Strengthening emergency response capabilities
Assessing environmental impacts
Improving logistics, supply chain and fleet management services
The emphasis is on services that combine technical feasibility with a clear commercial pathway.
How space technologies could contribute
ESA highlights three main categories of space assets that could underpin new transportation system solutions.
Satellite Earth observation data can be used to monitor infrastructure conditions, including road wear, land deformation and flood-prone areas. Such data may also support traffic analysis or detect vegetation encroachment along roadways, which can present safety risks.
Satellite communications offer connectivity in regions where terrestrial networks are weak or absent. This can enable near real-time data exchange between vehicles and infrastructure, commonly referred to as V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) and V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure) communications, while also supporting faster emergency response.
Satellite navigation systems can improve route-planning accuracy and provide reliable positioning data for autonomous vehicles and time-sensitive logistics operations.
Funding model and project scope
Under the programme, ESA will co-fund 75% of each approved study, up to a total project value of €100,000. The funding is provided on a zero-equity basis and is intended to support feasibility assessments over six months.
During that time, participating companies are expected to refine their business cases, test the technical integration of satellite data and engage with prospective customers.
ESA will provide technical and commercial guidance, along with access to its network and the right to reference ESA support in connection with the project.
The agency, however, does not provide direct access to space data or manage the space segment of any resulting service. Applicants must demonstrate how they will secure necessary data sources and ensure appropriate in-house expertise.
Eligibility and next steps
The call is open to companies developing space-enabled products or services for rural transportation networks and broader transportation system applications.
To qualify for funding, project teams must be based in one of several participating countries, including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, among others. Norway and the Netherlands are not participating in this round.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult their national ESA delegations early in the process and obtain written authorisation before submitting proposals.
With rural mobility increasingly linked to economic resilience and climate targets, ESA’s latest funding round signals growing institutional interest in applying space technology to everyday infrastructure challenges.