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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must seamlessly bridge the legacy of previous In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) initiatives with concrete mission-level ground readiness by qualifying standard Universal Satellite Interfaces (USI) up to TRL7. The consortium must integrate beneficiaries from the upstream ISOS Pilot Mission CSA while adhering strictly to Article 22.5 strategic autonomy restrictions, demonstrating operational maturity via end-to-end multi-segment testing (Servicing, HOST, Logistics, satAPPs).
TRL 4 → 7
Supporting the ISOS Pilot mission detailed mission and system design, demonstrating in an integrated ground test (TRL6) the interoperability of the developed mission components ground prototypes (i.e., Servicing, HOST, Logistic and satAPPs) with all applicable servicing interfaces and the baseline demonstration scenarios as defined in the technical annex;
Final maturation, verification and qualification (TRL7) of the consolidated USI solution(s) recommended by the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination and Support Action, considering opportunities for IOD/V;
Development of a ISOS4I promotion video and VR experience for dissemination purposes, showcasing the pilot mission concept with its baseline demonstration scenario and the evolution towards an in-space service infrastructure leading to manifold business opportunities as part of a wider in-space economy.
An in-space economy, building on innovative technologies and concepts for a sustainable infrastructure and value-adding services in space, e.g. plug-and-play spacecraft functionality introducing recycling/re-use of spacecraft modules/functionalities, and satellite upgrades and payload exchange for mission adaptivity;
ISOS4I pilot mission preparation up to detailed mission and system detail design, and ground demonstrator, as well as promotion of the mission to the wider public.
Consolidated and space-verified USI solution(s) for European space actors
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
Strategic R&I Agenda for EU-funded Space research supporting competitiveness
highThe Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for EU-funded Space Research supporting competitiveness outlines the European roadmap for strategic technologies and capabilities needed to maintain EU autonomy and leadership in the space sector. It focuses on non-dependence, next-generation satellite systems, in-orbit servicing, and commercial space competitiveness.
Evaluators expect proposals to align their technical milestones with the SRIA priorities, demonstrating how developments—such as standard interfaces and in-orbit servicing capabilities—foster European technological sovereignty and market competitiveness.
EU Space Act
mediumThe EU Space Act is a proposed legislative framework aimed at enhancing the safety, security, and sustainability of space activities within the European Union. It seeks to establish common rules for space traffic management, debris mitigation, and the authorization and supervision of space activities by Member States. The Act's objective is to ensure a level playing field for European space actors, promote responsible behavior in space, and protect critical space infrastructure, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability of outer space.
Proposals should demonstrate an awareness of the principles and objectives underpinning the proposed EU Space Act, particularly concerning the safety, security, and sustainability of space operations. Evaluators will look for projects that incorporate best practices for space debris mitigation, responsible design of space systems, and contribute to technologies or services that enhance space situational awareness or space traffic management. While the Act is still under development, proposals should show foresight in aligning with its anticipated regulatory framework and promoting sustainable space practices.
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The page limit of the application is 45 pages.
described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
The following additional eligibility criteria apply: beneficiaries must include the beneficiaries of the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination & Support Action, awarded under Other actions not subject to calls for proposals, from the Horizon Europe Cluster 4 Work Programme 2025, as commanded by the nature and objectives of the topic.
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).
In order to achieve the expected outcomes, and safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security, participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Norway and Iceland. Proposals including entities established in countries outside the scope specified in the call/topic/action will be ineligible.
For the duly justified and exceptional reasons listed in the paragraph above, in order to guarantee the protection of the strategic interests of the Union and its Member States, entities established in an eligible country listed above, but which are directly or indirectly controlled by a non-eligible country or by a non-eligible country entity, may not participate in the action unless it can be demonstrated, by means of guarantees positively assessed by their eligible country of establishment, that their participation to the action would not negatively impact the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment within the meaning of ‘restrictions for the protection of European communication networks’ (or entities fully or partially owned or controlled by a high-risk supplier) cannot submit guarantees.[[The guarantees shall in particular substantiate that, for the purpose of the action, measures are in place to ensure that: a) control over the applicant legal entity is not exercised in a manner that retrains or restricts its ability to carry out the action and to deliver results, that imposes restrictions concerning its infrastructure, facilities, assets, resources, intellectual property or know-how needed for the purpose of the action, or that undermines its capabilities and standards necessary to carry out the action; b) access by a non-eligible country or by a non-eligible country entity to sensitive information relating to the action is prevented; and the employees or other persons involved in the action have a national security clearance issued by an eligible country, where appropriate; c) ownership of the intellectual property arising from, and the results of, the action remain within the recipient during and after completion of the action, are not subject to control or restrictions by non-eligible countries or non-eligible country entity, and are not exported outside the eligible countries, nor is access to them from outside the eligible countries granted, without the approval of the eligible country in which the legal entity is established.
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described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
The evaluation committee will be composed partially by representatives of EU institutions.
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Some activities resulting from this topic may involve using classified background and/or producing of security sensitive results (EUCI and SEN). Please refer to the related provisions in section B Security — EU classified and sensitive information of the General Annexes.
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
Declaration of ownership and control
A compulsory questionnaire on the declaration of ownership and control is to be filled by all project participants as part of the application. All declarations must be assembled by the coordinator and uploaded in a single file in the portal submission system. For additional information on the assessment of ownership and control process and on the guarantees please consult the draft guidance for participation in restricted calls.
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators will focus strictly on compliance with the hard eligibility filters: inclusion of the mandated ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination and Support Action beneficiaries, ownership and control guarantees protecting EU strategic autonomy (limited to EU-27, Norway, and Iceland), and alignment with lump-sum budget guidelines within the 45-page ceiling. Technically, evaluators will scrutinize the credibility of reaching TRL6 in the integrated ground test facility and TRL7 for the consolidated USI solution(s), alongside a robust dissemination roadmap utilizing high-impact VR and multimedia tools.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Supporting the ISOS Pilot mission detailed mission and system design, demonstrating in an integrated ground test (TRL6) the interoperability of the developed mission components ground prototypes (i.e., Servicing, HOST, Logistic and satAPPs) with all applicable servicing interfaces and the baseline demonstration scenarios as defined in the technical annex; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Final maturation, verification and qualification (TRL7) of the consolidated USI solution(s) recommended by the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination and Support Action, considering opportunities for IOD/V; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Development of a ISOS4I promotion video and VR experience for dissemination purposes, showcasing the pilot mission concept with its baseline demonstration scenario and the evolution towards an in-space service infrastructure leading to manifold business opportunities as part of a wider in-space economy. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1An in-space economy, building on innovative technologies and concepts for a sustainable infrastructure and value-adding services in space, e.g. plug-and-play spacecraft functionality introducing recycling/re-use of spacecraft modules/functionalities, and satellite upgrades and payload exchange for mission adaptivity; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2ISOS4I pilot mission preparation up to detailed mission and system detail design, and ground demonstrator, as well as promotion of the mission to the wider public. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Consolidated and space-verified USI solution(s) for European space actors | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Collaboration within Linked Action and synergy with parallel ISOS topicsThe selected project will be a Linked Action and is expected to closely collaborate with projects selected under HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-21, 22, 23, 24 and the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination and Support Action to ensure interoperability, share documentation, adopt common processes, and coordinate dissemination. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Coordination with European Commission services and ISOS Expert GroupProject results must contribute to outcomes in close and continuous coordination with the European Commission services and EU Member States through the ISOS Expert Group. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Mandatory use of Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS servicesIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Classified background and security sensitive results handlingActivities may involve using classified background and/or producing security-sensitive results (EUCI and SEN), requiring adherence to General Annexes security provisions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Promotion of cooperation among industry, SMEs, and research institutionsProposals are expected to foster cooperation between industry, SMEs, and research institutions, and actively consider routes to turn technological innovation into commercial use. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Balanced geographic representation across Member States and Associated CountriesProposals should consider and contribute to a balanced provision of Member States' and eligible Associated Countries' expertise and capabilities to the overall ISOS pilot mission. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Conditional integration of gender dimension in research contentThe integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content should be addressed only if relevant in relation to the objectives of the topic. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| No expected impacts in this call. | |||
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1strategic r&i agenda for eu-funded space research supporting competitivenessThe Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for EU-funded Space Research supporting competitiveness outlines the European roadmap for strategic technologies and capabilities needed to maintain EU autonomy and leadership in the space sector. It focuses on non-dependence, next-generation satellite systems, in-orbit servicing, and commercial space competitiveness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
5 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
A proposal will be automatically rejected at the eligibility check if it fails to include the beneficiaries of the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination & Support Action. Evaluators are explicitly instructed to apply this as a hard filter before any technical scoring begins.
Source: Eligibility rules
Participation is strictly limited to entities established in the EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland. Any entity controlled by a non-eligible country must submit ownership and control guarantees positively assessed by their establishing country, or face immediate disqualification to protect EU strategic assets.
Source: Eligibility rules
The technical evaluation will heavily scrutinize the credibility of achieving two distinct maturity levels: TRL6 for the integrated ground test facility and TRL7 for the consolidated Universal Satellite Interface (USI) solutions. Proposals must explicitly map their work packages to prove these specific endpoints are achievable within the project timeframe.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
Because this call uses a lump-sum budget, the financial viability of the consortium depends entirely on the payment milestone structure. The completion of the TRL6 integrated ground test and the TRL7 USI qualification must be structured as clear, verifiable work package deliverables to trigger the major funding installments.
Source: Eligibility rules
Dissemination is not a generic communication exercise in this call. Evaluators are explicitly instructed to look for a robust roadmap that includes the development of an ISOS4I promotion video and VR experience. Proposals lacking these specific high-impact multimedia tools will lose critical points in the impact evaluation.
Source: Scope
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. There is no set order: start wherever your project starts. The sections below mirror what the conversation produces, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Proprietary docking and interface mechanisms hinder commercial scalability, driving up mission costs and preventing cross-vendor satellite servicing and modular upgrades.
Unverified multi-segment interfaces between Servicer, HOST, and Logistic modules risk costly mission failures without representative ground integration testing.
Commercial satellite operators lack tangible operational vision and economic data regarding modular plug-and-play satellite servicing architectures.
Commercial and institutional satellite integrators, in-space servicing providers, and logistics operators adopting standardized USI solutions.
Institutional actors steering future in-orbit demonstration/validation (IOD/V) missions and setting interoperability guidelines under the EU Space Act.
Universities, research institutes, and scientific bodies conducting fundamental and applied research in autonomous docking, robotics, and modular space systems.
General public and educational institutions reached through the VR experience and outreach campaign on sustainable space operations.
The long-term impacts your project should drive, and the policies they serve.
Enables satellite life extension, modular payload swapping, and in-orbit maintenance, mitigating orbital debris and drastically reducing spacecraft turnover.
Secures proprietary-free, standard European interfaces validated at TRL7, reinforcing technological sovereignty under the EU Space Act.