Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The overall goal of this Challenge includes the development of technologies required for in-space energy harvesting and transmission, and of novel propulsion technologies that will use such harvested energy.
This Challenge aims at developing and as such make related impacts in:
- Design and laboratory validation of concepts to develop technologies for energy harvesting in space e.g. in-space utilisation of this energy for transportation and other related research and innovation activities, in particular for cleaning space debris;
- Development and laboratory validation of breakthrough technologies for wireless power transmission of energy, e.g. through power grid, for energy beam pointing and control;
- Development of eco-friendly and innovative green propulsion solutions for in-space applications (e.g., spacecraft orbital corrections, in orbit satellite servicing, active debris removal, end-of-life services, etc.) addressing the barriers to the use of in-space solar energy for innovative propulsion.
- Use of innovative in-space robotic solutions for in-space manufacturing and assembly of space-based solar units.
Detailed Call Description
To achieve such a breakthrough, the scientific and technological challenges to be overcome are enormous, since there are many obstacles and bottlenecks requiring game-changing solutions. The proposals submitted to this Challenge should address at least one of the fields below. Targeted research and development is necessary in order to come up with:
- Scalable solutions (e.g., solar energy harvesting antennas, on-board spacecraft photovoltaic cells) for in-orbit efficient solar energy collection and storage.
- Conversion of the harvested energy in a form, appropriate for transmission at long distances in empty space.
- Efficient wireless and secure power transmission of the transformed energy between in-space harvesting devices on spacecraft and re-translation stations or other final receivers. This may require a grid of re-transmitting stations, which not only amplify the wireless transmission, but also redirect the transmission as necessary.
Innovative green propulsion solutions for in-space mobility, resulting into low cost or eco-friendly innovative concepts.
The development of viable technologies in this area as a basis for space-based energy harvesting will significantly increase the EU strategic autonomy. The direct benefits will be potential fuel cost savings, in-space clean energy solutions and innovative in-space robotic and assembly solutions. Thus, encouraging in-space manufacturing and assembly with a wide range of applications (e.g. navigation, satcom, etc.) and are likely to result into spin-offs into terrestrial markets (e.g. robotics, electronics, etc.). Moreover, it will allow satellite owners to improve in-space mobility, extend the lifetime of their satellites, decommission their old satellites, and potentially generate fuel cost savings.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100%
The EIC considers proposals with an EU contribution of up to €4 000 000 as appropriate.
In addition to funding, projects will receive tailor-made access to a wide range of Business Acceleration Services and interactions with EIC Programme Managers and other actions in the portfolio of projects selected.
Thematic Categories
- New Entrepreneurship
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
Eligibility for Participation
- Educational Institutions
- Natual person / Citizen / Individual
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Eligibility For Participation Notes
In order to apply, your proposal must meet the general as well as possible specific eligibility requirements for this Challenge (Please see TOPIC DESCRIPTION above).
The EIC Pathfinder Challenges support collaborative or individual research and innovation from consortia or from single legal entities established in a Member State or an Associated Country. In case of a consortium your proposal must be submitted by the coordinator on behalf of the consortium. Consortia of two entities must be comprised of independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries. Consortia of three or more entities must include as beneficiaries at least three legal entities, independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows:
- at least one legal entity established in a Member State; and
- at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries.
The legal entities may for example be universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups, natural persons. In the case of single beneficiary projects, mid-caps and larger companies will not be permitted.
Your proposal will only be evaluated if it is admissible and eligible.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia,
P.B. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22205000
Fax: +357 22205001
Email: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/
Contact Persons:
George Christou
Scientific Officer
Email: gchristou@research.org.cy
Nedi Kaffa
Scientific Officer
Email: nkaffa@research.org.cy
EU Contact Point
Research Enquiry Service: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/contact/research-enquiry-service_en
EIC 2023 work programme – https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-2023-work-programme_en