As part of the EU Space Programme, the European Commission has launched a new €5 million prize to support disruptive innovations aimed at improving access to space. The initiative, titled “Game-changing Innovations for European Launch Solutions,” is funded through a 2024 EU budget preparatory action, following a Commission Decision adopted on 4 April 2024.
The prize is designed to encourage novel ideas and emerging technologies with the potential to strengthen Europe’s space access capabilities and enhance the global competitiveness of the EU space industry. Recognising access to space as both a technological challenge and a strategic priority, the Commission sees this effort as a step toward supporting Europe’s economic, environmental, and security objectives.
With a total budget of €5 million, the prize will reward five winning projects, each receiving €950,000. The remaining funds will cover competition management costs and expert evaluation fees.
A key feature of this prize is its focus on low-maturity innovations that go beyond the current state of the art and are not yet available on the market. These may include ideas, concepts, technologies, products, processes, or digital solutions. Unlike traditional funding instruments, this prize is not intended for complete launch systems. Instead, it targets innovations across the entire access-to-space value chain, from upstream technologies to enabling infrastructure and subsystems.
Submitted innovations will be evaluated based on three main criteria:
- Excellence: The project must propose a radically new approach that goes beyond existing solutions, introducing a genuine technological or conceptual breakthrough.
- Impact: The innovation should show strong potential to enhance the competitiveness, environmental sustainability, agility, and resilience of European space access capabilities.
- Sustainability: Proposals must clearly outline the steps required to mature the idea, demonstrating solid technical feasibility and strategic relevance.
Driving Europe’s Leadership in Space Innovation
With this prize, the European Commission aims to position Europe as a global hub for space innovation, capable of leading future technological revolutions in the space domain. The goal is not just to close existing gaps with international competitors, but to shape the future of space access by encouraging radical innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and increased private investment.
By fostering a vibrant and competitive innovation ecosystem, the initiative aims to:
- Attract new entrants and dynamic innovators to the space sector
- Mobilise private capital to support high-risk, high-reward ideas
- Stimulate collaboration among industrial, academic, and research players
- Ultimately enable the EU to secure autonomous, cost-effective, and sustainable access to space
This prize is more than just a funding opportunity—it is a strategic call to action, encouraging European innovators to imagine and develop the space access solutions that will define Europe’s role in the global space economy of tomorrow.
