FAQs

What is BASS Funding?

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ESA BASS (Business Applications Space Solutions) is a program that provides funding and support to businesses that are developing new commercial services using space technologies. The program is open to businesses from any sector that are legally established in an ESA Member State or Cooperating State.

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What types of projects are eligible for ESA BASS funding?

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ESA BASS funding is available for projects that are developing new or improved commercial services using space technologies. These projects can be in any sector, including but not limited to:

1. Transportation

2. Agriculture

3. Environment

4. Disaster management

5. Telecommunications

6. Satellite navigation

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What kind of organisations are eligible for BASS funding?

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ESA BASS funding is open to any company and/or organization, be it as a group of users, a public body, or a non-governmental organization, residing in any of the ESA Member States that are participating in the program. This includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

 

To be eligible for ESA BASS funding, organisations must:

• Be legally established in an ESA Member State that is participating in the program.

• Have a clear and viable business plan for developing a new commercial service using space data or technologies.

• Be able to demonstrate technical expertise and experience in the relevant field.

• Have a strong financial position and be able to raise the necessary funding to match the ESA funding.

 

The ESA BASS program is particularly interested in supporting organisations that:

• Are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

• Are developing innovative and disruptive technologies.

• Have a strong market potential for their products or services.

• Are committed to creating jobs and economic growth in Europe.

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If you are interested in applying for ESA BASS funding, book a  meeting with Ken via our Contact page

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How much funding can I apply for?

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The amount of funding that you can apply for depends on the type of project you are proposing. For Kick-Starts, the maximum funding available is €60,000. For Feasibility Studies, the maximum funding available is €300,000. For Demonstration Projects, the maximum funding available is around €2 million.

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How do I apply for ESA BASS funding?

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There are two ways to apply for ESA BASS funding:

1. Open Call for Proposals: You can submit a proposal at any time through the Call for Proposals for Downstream Applications.

2. Competitive Tender: You can submit a proposal in response to a specific competitive tender.

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What is an APQ form?

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The Activity Pitch Questionnaire (APQ) is the first document that a company will be submitting to ESA Business Applications to propose an innovative project.Its objective is to allow ESA to quickly decide if your company is presenting an innovative project, is mature enough to conduct the project, and has the expertise to follow it through.The ESA Business Applications Ambassadors can explain to companies how to fill in the APQ form.You can find the most up-to-date version of the form on the business.esa.int website. Make sure that you have the latest version; the form is regularly updated.You will need Adobe Reader (available free) to complete the form. Other PDF authoring tools may not format the document correctly.

 

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What happens after I submit the APQ form?

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The APQ is the first step in the application for a Direct Negotiation (DN) Feasibility study or Demonstration Project. It is evaluated by a panel of technical experts, and you will receive notification of the evaluation outcome within two weeks.The evaluation outcome will be either of “No thank you”, with reasons for rejection, “Discuss/Clarify”, asking for more information, or “Proceed to Outline Proposal”.If the APQ is successful, the company is invited to write an outline proposal. A Technical Office will be appointed to guide you through the next application steps and will contact you.If the outline proposal is also successful and the national delegation supports the idea, the company is invited to write a full proposal, with the guidance of your Technical Officer.When your full proposal is complete and approved, a procurement contract will be prepared. Remember ESA BASS funding is not a grant, it is a procurement contract. Happy day!

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What is the national delegate or delegation?

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In ESA terms, a National Delegate is a representative from a member state’s space agency or government who oversees their country’s involvement in ESA programs. They:1. Represent their country in ESA decision-making.2. Influence how their country’s ESA funding is allocated.3. Provide guidance to national companies and organizations applying for ESA funding.4. Approve projects to ensure they align with national priorities before they proceed.National Delegates are key contacts for ensuring projects meet ESA and national requirements.And as mentioned previously, if you want to apply, you should notify them using the email address on this web page : https://business.esa.int/national-delegations.

 

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What should I do to make sure that my proposal is the best it can be?

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Contact your ambassador for advice and guidance (I know I said this before, but it will help). ESA Business Applications Ambassadors possess a wealth of knowledge, having reviewed countless proposals and participated in evaluation meetings. This broad exposure gives them unique insights into what makes a successful application, industry trends, and emerging opportunities. Their experience allows them to provide informed, strategic advice to help shape projects for success within the ESA framework.

 

Read carefully the instructions on the various application documents. Once you have downloaded the latest version of the APQ form, read the instructions on each section and follow them. Contact the National Delegation to understand what the information requirements and funding limitations are, and if the activity is potentially supported.

 

The ESA Delegations support the projects and competitions (or ITTs) that support their national priorities.

• Define clearly the services that will be provided to the customers/users.

• Identify your potential clients and see if they would be interested.

• Mention them in your application as well as their interest/ level of engagement.

• Demonstrate with concrete information an understanding of the initial focus market, its processes and difficulties.

• Present the initial market perspective/expectation (avoid useless statements).

• Present the service value chain end-to-end and your position in it, potentially naming the other organisations in the chain.

 

Your Ambassador will provide more detailed support and give feedback on your draft APQs.

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What can I count as my co-funding contribution to the project?

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Possible sources of co-funding include:

•  Existing funds from sales or profits.

• Approved or prospective bank loans.

• External investments, such as from private investment funds or other contributors.

• Please note that EU or national funds from R&D programmes cannot be used as co-funding.

• Additionally, future earnings cannot be considered unless you can provide binding contracts that guarantee those future earnings.