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Contact Person
Amanda Borup Pedersen
ESA BIC MANAGER, DTU
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Contact Person
Poul zimmermann nielsen
ESA Technology broker, DTU
GET UP TO €50K to ADAPT YOUR TECHNOLOGY TO SPACE
The ESA Spark Funding Programme in Denmark is managed by our ESA Technology Broker team at DTU. The funding programme supports companies from non-space sectors that have technologies with potential to be adapted and applied within the space domain.
Step-by-step guide
step 1
Book initial meeting
Step 2
Download and review documents
Invitation to apply:
Read the "Invitation to Apply" document to get the full details on the open call, scope, and eligibility requirements.Application template and GDPR Consent:
This is the official application document. Use the document to write your application, and get all details on the project structure, budget, team details, and a GDPR consent section.Draft Contract:
We will not make a contract before your application is approved, but we recommend that you review the standard agreement including payment terms, deliverables, and obligations ahead of writing you applicationstep 3
Write and submit application
Complete the "Application Template and the GDPR Compliance document", and submit to techbroker@esabic.dk. If you need support while preparing your application, you are welcome to contact our team for guidance.
The ESA SPARK Funding call is open on a continuous basis, meaning you can submit your application at any time. However, applications are only evaluated during scheduled Tender Evaluation Board meetings with ESA twice a year. Please see the “Application Process” section for the upcoming evaluation deadlines.
Next deadline: 29.05.2026 at 23:59
SPARK FUNDING
ESA Spark Funding is a funding opportunity that helps companies speed up the development of new products and refine their commercial roadmap for space technologies. In Denmark, the funding specifically supports spin-in projects, where technology originally developed for non-space sectors is adapted for use in space applications.
WHO can apply?
Spark Funding is aimed at Danish companies, primarily SMEs and larger businesses, that already develop products or technologies outside the space sector and want to explore opportunities in the space market. Applicants must be registered and headquartered in Denmark and must lead the project even when collaborating with international partners.
requirements
- SMEs or larger companies aiming to innovate by integrating non-space technologies into existing or new products/services for the space industry
- Companies based and registered in Denmark, fully compliant with Danish tax and social security laws
- The applying company should be the one developing the final product
- The company can act alone or in collaboration (as a consortium), but only the main Danish applicant will be contracted and responsible
- The company cannot receive duplicate funding for the same activity (e.g., other ESA or EU programs).
- Read more about the requirements in the Invitation to Apply document.
MANAGED AT DTU
In Denmark, ESA Spark Funding is managed by ESA Technology Broker Denmark, hosted at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The team at DTU is responsible for running the open call, supporting applicants, coordinating the evaluation process, and facilitating contract negotiations with successful companies. The initiative is supported by DTU Space, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Space Office within the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science.
THE SPECIFICATIONS
Understand the specifications of the ESA Spark Funding call.
€50K
Funding for Technical Breadboarding & Business Case Development of spin-in-to-space technologies
Funding for commercialisation activities
Get up to €50,000 in financial support for your product development and commercialization activities. The funding covers projects concerning the definition of a minimal viable product/service and technical breadboard to validate critical functions and value proposition, as well as the refinement of an applicable business case.
Projects up to 12 month duration
The funding covers projects lasting up to 12 months, allowing adequate time for technical breadboarding and business case validation. Please note that there is a possibility for projects to last longer under special exceptions.
Co-Funding Requirement
SMEs must provide at least 20% co-funding, and large companies at least 50%, encouraging active investment from the applicant.
Support from ESA Technology Broker DK
The ESA Technology Broker team at DTU is here to support you throughout the entire Spark Funding process. We can help you understand the open call requirements, and answer questions about the technical and commercial aspects of your proposal, and support successful applicants during contract negotiations. Please note, however, that the level of support we can provide during the application process is limited. As ESA Technology Broker Denmark is responsible for evaluating proposals, we must ensure a fair and transparent process and avoid any conflict of interest. For this reason, we are not able to conduct full reviews of draft applications prior to the submission deadline, but we are happy to support your company in other ways during the preparation phase.
Watch the spark funding webinar
Do you want to know more about the application process, requirements and specifications of the Spark Funding call? Watch this webinar where ESA Technology Broker Poul Zimmermann Nielsen answers common questions about the programme.
Note: This webinar corresponds to the previous open call held in January. For the current call, the available funding is €50k per project. All other information remains unchanged.
Application process
We review your application within 3 days after the deadline to ensure it meets ESA’s formal requirements. If any issues are identified, you’ll receive feedback and have 48 hours to make the necessary adjustments.
Present your project for 10 minutes and answer questions from the Committee. The TEB evaluates each applicant based on specific criteria. TEB is held a few weeks after the submission deadline. Results are communicated shortly afterwards.
Your Questions, Answered
Are there specific rules regarding suppliers and partners for ESA Spark Funding Project?
Yes, there are specific guidelines:
- The main applicant (Product Developer) must be a legal entity registered and headquartered in Denmark
- If the applicant works with foreign partners or suppliers, up to 50% of the total ESA Spark Funding may be spent outside the country — but only if the Product Developer is based in-country
- The applicant is expected to manage the relationship with all partners and suppliers, and remains fully responsible for the project's execution and compliance
- If the Product Developer and Technology Provider are different entities, they must have a clear collaboration setup, and only the Product Developer can apply (except in exceptional cases where roles may be merged, e.g. when the technology originates from a university research project that has resulted in a spin-out company, which acts as the Product Developer)
WHAT IS THE TRL REQUIRED FOR THE PREEXISTING TECHNOLOGY AND FOR THE ONE AT THE END OF THE PROJECT?
The technology should be sufficiently mature to enable transfer to the new application. Typically, this would be ~TRL3 but exceptions are possible. At the end of the project, the technology should have reached a level of maturity consistent with a successful transfer, which may correspond to higher TRLs. There is no fixed TRL target, but the technology must clearly improve on an existing breadboard (e.g. more complexity, better integration, or broader testing).
WHAT IS THE IPR OF THE SOLUTION?
The solution’s IPR belongs to the Contractor, while ESA receives limited usage rights (not ownership) for non-proprietary parts. More details can be found in the ESA Spark Funding Draft Contract document.
CAN I APPLY BEFORE MY COMPANY IS FORMALLY REGISTERED?
No, applicants are expected to have a registered company at the time of submission. Applications without a CVR will be returned for update during evaluation and must be resubmitted with a CVR within 48 hours; otherwise, they will be rejected.
CAN I APPLY FOR LESS THAN THE FULL €50,000, IF MY CO-FOUNDING CAPACITY IS LOWER?
No, it is not possible.
CAN I APPLY WITH A PROJECT BASED ON SPACE DATA OR DOWNSTREAM APPLICATIONS?
No, projects using space data or services (e.g. satellite communication, navigation, Earth observation) are not eligible, as they fall under other ESA programmes such as BASS.
Can ESA Spark Funding be simultaneously combined with ESA BIC support?
No. Alumni of ESA BIC are eligible to apply, if their incubation period had passed prior to the ESA Spark Funding application.
What must be submitted in order to successfully apply for the ESA Spark Funding Denmark?
Please carefully read through all the documents. Here below you may find a summary of the documents to be submitted:
- Application Template (including Executive Summary, Business Case and Technical Proposal, Activity Proposal, Management Proposal)
- Business Model Canvas
- Letter(s) of support
- Any other relevant information about the activity or the Applicant, as necessary
WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL REASONS FOR REJECTION?
Applications are typically rejected due to an unclear or weak spin-in case, lack of a defined market or commercial use, or poor overall proposal quality. Other common reasons include insufficient knowledge of the space sector, unclear roles between Technology Provider and Product Developer, lack of a concrete product to transfer (pure R&D), or an unclear/non-credible technology transfer (non-space to space)
If a project is selected, how long does it take to sign the funding contract?
Upon acceptance, the company will be invited to sign the ESA Spark Funding Denmark Contract made available in draft with the Open Call documents.
Please note that the reference to a negotiation meeting in Article 1.2(c) is part of ESA’s standard contract template and is included by default. For this type of contract, ESA Technology Broker Denmark do not normally hold a separate negotiation meeting prior to signature, as the contractual terms are issued as standard ESA conditions. If your company is comfortable with the contract as provided, there is no need to schedule a negotiation meeting and the reference can simply remain as part of the standard wording. Your company can then remove the yellow highlighting.
After the minimum information required for the contract preparation is provided (e.g. statements of compliance with tax, bank information) the signature is expected to be a matter of days.
WHEN ARE PROJECT ACTIVITIES EXPECTED TO BEGIN AFTER CONTRACT SIGNING?
Projects are expected to start shortly after contract signature, typically within less than one month. The contractor initiates the process by proposing a kick-off meeting, after which the project is considered officially started.
What is the funding payment plan?
The first installment (50% of the total amount) will be paid upon signature of the ESA Spark Funding Denmark Contract by both parties. The second installment (remaining 50% of the total amount) will be paid upon a successful Final Review, acceptance by ESA Technology Broker Denmark of all deliverables due under the Contract and fulfilment of all contractual obligations by the Applicant under the Contract.
There is no possibility to change those conditions. However, different rules apply to projects exceeding 12 months. If you are considering applying for a longer project, please book a meeting with us, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.
What can the funding be used for? Which costs are eligible? Does it cover the VAT?
ESA Spark Funding can be used to cover costs that are necessary for executing the project, including:
- Technical development (e.g. prototyping, testing, integration)
- Business-related activities (e.g. market research, roadmap development)
- Work performed by the applicant and its approved partners or suppliers
Eligible costs must be:
- Directly related to the project
- Incurred by the beneficiary and recorded in its accounts
- Incurred during the contract period
- Planned in the cost section of the proposal
- Exclusive of VAT, interest, or duties
VAT is not covered by ESA Spark Funding.
Costs related to proposal preparation are also not eligible.
Marketing and promotional costs (e.g. trade shows, brochures) may be eligible only if pre-approved by the local ESA Spark Funding manager.
Please note that ESA Spark Funding should primarily be spent in Denmark. However, if the Product Developer is based in Denmark, then up to 50% of the total ESA Spark Funding may be spent with a Technology Provider located outside of Denmark.
CAN ESA SPARK FUNDING BE USED TO COVER SALARIES FOR FOUNDERS, ENGINEERS, OR CONSULTANTS?
Yes.
WHAT MUST BE DELIVERED TO ESA?
The Contractor must deliver a Proof of Achievement (slide deck + demo item), and a Final Data Package including reports and (if applicable) a commercial agreement document. Additionally, participation in annual ESA socio-economic reporting for 5 years after project completion is required. More details can be found in the ESA Spark Funding Open Call and Draft Contract documents.
Does ESA take any equity in my company?
No. However, they do require some reporting.
Name
Poul ZIMMERMANN Nielsen
Job role
Esa Technology Broker
We're happy to guide you on a smooth application process and help you access your eligibility for the program. Book a meeting or shoot us an email at techbroker@esabic.dk. We’d love to have an informal chat about how we can support your company, completely obligation-free!