Detailed Overview of Upcoming EU Space Calls (2025–2026)

Introduction

As Ireland's space ecosystem continues to expand and diversify, 2025 marks a strategic opportunity to connect with major EU space initiatives. Through Horizon Europe, the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), the European Defence Fund (EDF), and the European Innovation Council (EIC), numerous calls for proposals are opening to accelerate innovation across the full space value chain. French research and industrial actors are deeply involved, making France an ideal partner for Irish organisations looking to scale, test, or co-develop new space technologies.

This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of all upcoming EU-funded space calls and highlights key areas where Irish-French collaboration can bring mutual benefit.

1. Access to Space

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-11: Coordination and Support Action on access to European spaceports

• Objectives: Mapping best practices, harmonising regulatory frameworks, supporting safety equipment interoperability.
• Budget: €1 million (CSA)

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-12 & 13: Digital solutions for autonomy in space transportation

• Focus: Development and demonstration of modular avionics, health monitoring, AI-based ground & flight software.
• Budget: €1–3 million (RIA) for TRL 4–5; €4–7 million (IA) for TRL 7–8

2. In-Orbit Servicing and Operations (ISOS)

Design phase of a pilot mission including:

• Servicing systems (€6–12 million): robotic repair, refuelling, reconfiguration
• HOST platform (€12–17.5 million): multi-purpose orbital infrastructure
• Logistics systems (€10–12 million): cargo and propellant delivery in orbit
• satAPP modules (€2–3 million): plug-in upgrades for payloads
• Coordination CSA: mission planning and interoperability management

France is heavily invested in this future strategic domain. Irish SMEs and researchers can integrate in subsystems or mission coordination roles.

3. Earth Observation and Satellite Telecommunications

HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-31 & 32: Digital enablers for EO/SatCom

• 31 (RIA): Mid-TRL building blocks (€1–5 million)
• 32 (IA): High-TRL demonstrators (€2–6 million)
• Themes: AI/ML algorithms, miniaturisation, hybrid architectures, interoperability

Copernicus evolution topics (41–46):

• Climate change reanalysis (C3S, €10 million)
• Atmosphere monitoring (CAMS, €3 million)
• Anthropogenic CO2 & wildfires (CO2MVS, €3 million)
• Marine monitoring (CMEMS, €5 million)
• AI for Copernicus (AI/ML, €12 million)
• Pollution and marine litter detection (€5 million)

4. Strategic Autonomy – Critical Space Technologies

Calls target EU non-dependence in key components:

• RISC-V processors at 7nm (€4.5–5 million)
• Chip-Scale Atomic Clocks, Solar Cells (€3.5–4 million)
• Space Connectors (€0.8–1 million)
• MRAM Memory and Advanced Packaging (€2.5–3 million)

Opportunities exist for Irish electronics and materials specialists to engage with French industrial chains.

5. International Cooperation

EU-Japan call on Quantum Space Gravimetry (€0.5 million):

• Joint algorithm and application development for Earth sciences

6. Applications and Space Data (EUSPA)

EUSPA-02-51: Space Data Economy

• Target sectors: Energy, green finance, liveable cities, climate adaptation
• TRL 7–9, up to €2.5 million/project

EUSPA-02-52: Space-based crisis management and infrastructure protection

• EGNSS-based downstream innovations in security, logistics, and AR/VR for responders

7. Other Strategic Actions

• IRIS² constellation (€75.5 million) via ESA procurements
• EGNSS infrastructure R&D (€58 million)
• In-Orbit Demo/Validation (IOD/IOV) (€8 million)
• SST sensor/service development via EU SST Partnership (€19 million)
• CASSINI Entrepreneurship, Training (€13.5 million)

8. EIC & Defence Innovation

EIC Space Accelerator Challenge (2025)

• In-orbit robotics, cybersecurity, on-orbit refuelling, modular services
• Cut-offs: 12 March and 1 October 2025

EDF Space Calls:

• EDF-3OS: Operational concepts for in-orbit servicing (€49 million)
• EDF-SBISR: Small satellite ISR constellation (€66 million)

9. European Parliament Pilot Action

Deployable Antennas – PPPA-2025-DEPLAN (€1.45 million)

• In-orbit recycling, EU supply chains, structural innovation
• Deadline: 27 May 2025

Why Ireland-France collaboration makes sense

France is home to major space integrators (Airbus, Thales Alenia), SMEs, and top research institutes. Ireland’s agile innovation environment, AI/data skills, and maturing space community form a perfect complement. Irish participants can access:

• French experience in ESA/EUSPA/Horizon calls
• Existing French-led consortia looking for capable partners
• Bilateral support structures (e.g., Enterprise Ireland–Bpifrance)

Let’s build this bridge together. I can assist you in identifying calls, partners, and local contacts in France.

Contact:
Jean-Michel Portefaix
French Expert for Innovation, Expertise France seconded to Enterprise Ireland

📧 jean-michel.portefaix@expertisefrance.fr