ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications is responsible for coordinating, shaping, and supporting innovation in satellite communications to bring space technology benefits into daily lives.
Their Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) 4.0 programme enables European and Canadian industry to explore innovative concepts that stimulate the wider economy, creating new business and jobs across every industry, through cutting-edge research and development. The programme supports the production of market-leading and innovative products and services within a fiercely competitive global satellite communications market, offering varying degrees of funding to projects, whatever their operational or commercial maturity.
Some of the ARTES calls are open continuously, while others have set deadlines. Note that not all of these are open to UK tenderers, even if ESA lists them as such – check with the UK Space Agency before starting your proposal if you wish to apply for ESA financial support, as UK companies will only receive funding for calls that UKSA is supporting.
The key requirement is that each project contributes to innovative, secure, and sustainable satellite communication solutions that strengthen Europe’s industrial and strategic capabilities.
Invitations to tender (ITT)
ESA’s ITTs invite companies and organisations to submit proposals on specific activities in relation to their satellite communications programmes – some of these tenders relate to ground-level activities such as infrastructure, and companies who do not already work in the space sector are welcome to apply. View a list of open Invitations to Tender here.
Open call
ESA’s open call for proposals offers industry the opportunity to submit their application for financial support from ESA. Available for ESA’S Industrial Competitiveness Generic Programme Line as well as all Strategic Programme Lines (Space Systems for Safety and Security, Optical & Quantum Communications – ScyLight and Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity). View a list of open calls here.
Call for ideas
ESA has an open call for ideas to ARTES yearly technology workplan preparations. Available to entities inside or outside of ESA, encouraging ideas on innovative systems, concepts, technologies, necessary for the future of the satellite communications market. Successful submissions benefit from full funding. Read more about the ARTES call for ideas here. Technology categories include telecoms (systems, satellites, ground equipment), Optical and Quantum Communications, 5G and 6G, and safety and security innovation.
National and sporadic calls
ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications occasionally offers support to select Member States (i.e. the Member State issues the call and tenderers from eligible countries can apply), particularly competitions for co-funded budget. The Member State is the owner of the process, while ESA supports through evaluation and publicity channels. National calls are often hosted on The Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP), where sporadic calls for specific activities are also featured. View the current open calls here. (At time of writing, April 2026, there are open calls for: quantum technology for space exploration; participation in a PNT demonstration; and medical technology to prevent or treat venous thrombosis during spaceflight and exploration.)
Who can apply?
Organisations eligible to apply for funding under our programmes include entities from ESA Member States, Associate States, and Cooperating States that have subscribed to the relevant programme. (The UK is a member state, but has not subscribed to every programme – please check with the UK Space Agency before submitting to a funded call).
Applicants can include private companies (large industry, SMEs, and start-ups), research institutions and universities, as well as public organisations developing space-enabled communication services.
Support for applicants
If you are considering applying to one of these calls and would like advice, or to find a collaborator, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Space team or the UK Space Agency.