Artificial Intelligence Kick-Start
Funds feasibility studies that combine artificial intelligence with space data.
A Kick-start activity is ESA's term for a short feasibility exploration: it works out the business opportunity and the technical viability of a new application or service built on one or more space assets, rather than funding full development or a market launch. Applicants aren't limited to the three core space technologies of Earth observation, satellite communications and satellite navigation --…
ESA wants proposals that pair artificial intelligence with satellite Earth observation, navigation, or communications data, applied to any commercial field -- retail, energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and social-good use cases are all given as examples. The call runs as four separate themed sub-calls -- consumer goods and industrial services, social impact, infrastructure, and environment and natural resources -- each with its own opening and closing date.
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Guides for this application
All guides →Government Grants for Startups: What Deeptech Founders Should Know
A practical guide to government grants for startups, including Grants.gov, SBIR/STTR, state programs, eligibility, fit, timelines, and when to apply.
Write proposalGrant Proposal Template: Structure, Sections, and Writing Prompts
Use this grant proposal template to structure your summary, work plan, budget, team, impact, attachments, and reviewer evidence before adapting it to funder rules.
Write proposalGrant Writing Tips: Mistakes That Kill Deeptech Applications
Grant writing tips for deeptech founders, focused on mistakes reviewers penalize: weak fit, vague innovation, poor evidence, bad budgets, and rushed submissions.
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