This funding is offered by the European Space Agency on the topic of Business Software of Space-Enabled Robotics: Agriculture. This Call invites the submission of proposals for feasibility studies and demonstration projects for services that combine the use of satellite technologies and robotics in downstream services for Agriculture applications.

Scope

The following software realms, or others formally identified by business, may be considered:

  • Automated, high-throughput, area diagnosis using sensors, satellite systems, drones and robotics, to help researchers and breeders in selecting desired grain traits and optimising for crop productivity.
  • Use of organized fleets of little robots to perform tasks that were previously performed by large tractors, such as reducing excessive soil compaction and increasing precision farming.
  • Robotic weed mapping and treatment, leveraging precise positioning, machine vision, and environmentally-friendly treatment mechanisms ( mechanical, laser-based, reduced quantity precision-spraying ) to identify and remove unwanted plants without causing damage to crops.
  • Careful produce harvesting, including ensuring that target crops do n’t unintentionally harm, and ensuring that attained crop quality limits are met.
  • To enhance dog happiness and environmental sustainability, mechanical systems are used to improve the care of livestock and aquaculture farms.
  • Mechanical systems tailored towards unusual farming terrain, quite as diverse and high topographies.

What we look for

We look for encouraging business concepts that address the following:

  • appealing business opportunities, identified client needs and client engagement
  • commercially-viable support ideas
  • technically possible solutions
  • added benefit of storage data or technology
  • determined teams with business, professional, and economic expertise

What we offer

We offer financing and assistance to businesses, both for business situation analysis and for the development of new, space-based solutions. Our give includes:

  • zero-equity funding*
  • technical and commercial assistance
  • exposure to our community and partners
  • ESA company credibility

* ( 50-80 % depending on SME Status and Member State Approval )

ESA Tender knowledge

Practicality reports and demonstration projects can submit ideas to the action:

  • Feasibility Studies: A conceptual framework for identifying, analyzing, and defining new, possibly green services
  • Demonstration Projects – focused on the application and show of pre-operational services

To be eligible for financing, your staff must remain 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. Non-European organizations may form clubs, but they cannot get funded by the ESA.

How to implement

The German Space Agency’s site has detailed information about the phone and how to use. Work by 15th January 2025.

In our Funding Finder, you can find additional financing options.