D.3 Combined General Investigator General Observer Program (NNH25ZDA001N-AGIGO)

Scientific analysis and exploitation of space data is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: European space science breakthroughs fostered by data analysis and exploitation of European missions (incl. low-cost/small satellite) and instruments, in conjunction, when relevant, with international missions. This data may also originate from European in-orbit validation experiments with a focus on space science and exploration. A higher number of European scientific publications based on space data, high-level data products made available through appropriate archives, and tools and methods developed for the advanced processing of data. Increased collaboration of scientific teams both within and outside Europe across different domains, adding value to existing activities on European and international levels and enhancing and broadening research partnerships. European scientific excellence and development of leading-edge scientific research in Europe. Scope: The aim of this topic is the analysis (including validation) and exploitation of acquired and available data provided by scientific and exploration instruments and missions in their pre-operative, operative, post-operative or data exploitation phase, focusing on astronomy and astrophysics, cosmology, heliophysics, deep space and solar system exploration, ensuring complementarity with activities already supported by agencies during development phases. Such data may also originate from CubeSat and small satellite missions for advancing space science and exploration. More specifically, data to be analysed are expected to result from science and exploration missions (including cubesat to small satellite missions) from ESA, national space agencies, research organisations and universities missions. Earth observing missions are not considered in the scope of this topic. This analysis may require innovative and advanced data processing techniques, the use of advanced artificial intelligence techniques, novel statistical approaches, multidimensional data fusion while optimizing the use of advanced computing hardware architectures, as well as novel data (re)presentation and visualization techniques. Projects may rely on data available through ESA Space Science Archives when possible or other means (e.g. instrumentation teams). Combination and correlation of this data with international scientific mission data, as well as with relevant data produced by ground-based infrastructures all over the world, is encouraged to further increase the scientific return and to enable new research activities using existing data sets. These activities shall add scientific value through analysis of the data, leading to scientific publications and higher-level data products, tools and methods. When possible, enhanced data products should be suitable for feeding back into the ESA Space Science archives. Resulting analyses should help preparing future European and international missions. International cooperation is encouraged in particular with countries active in space exploration and space science. In this topic, the 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 research effort. Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects Activities are expected to achieve TRL 4 by the end of the project. The reference TRL definition is the ISO 16290:2013 applicable to the space sector. Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Digital, Industry and Space

Preparing demonstration missions for Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunication for Space solutions (Space Partnership) is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: The topic encompasses actions within the scope of the co-programmed European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems (‘Space Partnership’) in the areas of satellite communication (SatCom), Earth Observation (EO) and New Commercial Space Transportation Solutions and is part of cohesive activities in the domain of digital developments under the grand heading of “digitalisation for commercial space solutions”. Digitalisation is a major enabler for enhancing the value of an End-to-End EO and SatCom system. Under the area of Using Space on Earth related to SatCom and EO, below this topic focusses on the Mid to High TRL level developments of key technologies [1] required to strengthen competitiveness in these domains, contributing to the preparation of EO and SatCom demonstration missions. Projects are expected to contribute to one or several of the following outcomes: Favouring a competitive and sustainable European Space Sector; Enable the European Space Industry to maintain a significant share of the global connectivity market; Advanced Earth observation and SatCom payloads, technologies and processing means (on ground and in space); Advanced EO and SatCom fostering AI across space system; Enhanced security of SatCom and EO services, supporting advanced technologies for both ground and space commercial applications; End-to-end demonstrator for collaborative Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunication for Space solutions. This will contribute to developing, deploying global, more flexible and reactive space-based services applications, to contribute to fostering the EU's space sector competitiveness, as stated in the expected impact of this destination. Scope: The areas of R&I, which needs to be addressed to tackle the above-mentioned expected outcomes are: R&I on End-to-End SatCom Mission capabilities, secure SatCom services and satellites as network nodes in a distributed system, radio-frequency payloads, flexible and modular testbed for complex satcom system architectures to assess performances, testbed for processing RF signal directly onboard the spacecraft, compatibility of the different elements and operations concepts; R&I on LEO or VLEO earth observation equipment, subsystems, applications and services enabling real time reaction (e.g. use cases requiring low latency), on on-board processing to optimize EO missions’ performance or timeliness, EO ground segment interfaces and data flow standardisation and adoption, smart multi-source EO intelligence information fusion also on ground; R&I on synergetic technologies, building blocks and processes with applicability across both EO and SatCom next generation operation systems such as operational optimisation for increasing lifetime, design optimisation for increasing efficiency and advanced techniques for large system of systems or multi-mission operation optimisation, as well as tip & cue demonstration combining RF and EO using inter-satellite links (including optical). Developments should aim at EO and Telecom technologies on-ground in relevant environment and in orbit software demonstration when flight is feasible and adding value focusing on software and digital tools (e.g. algorithms, functions). Proposals may contribute to one or more of the above R&I areas, however the main area addressed should be clearly and unambiguously identified in the proposal text. Proposals are expected to promote cooperation between different actors (industry, SMEs, research institutions and infrastructures and academia) and consider opportunities to quickly turn technological innovation into commercial use in space via e.g., on-ground relevant environment or in orbit demonstration. It is expected that projects make use of existing EU technologies and/or building blocks, including at component level, contributing to EU non-dependence and strengthen competitiveness, and this should be clearly presented in the proposal. Furthermore, propo Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Digital, Industry and Space Keywords: STEP-Digital/deep tech

Bio-based chemicals and/or materials from woody residues is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the EU Forest Strategy for 2030, the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, the Carbon Removal Certification Framework Regulation, the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy and the upcoming Circular Economy Act. Projects’ results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Increased availability of bio-based chemicals and/or bio-based materials from woody residues. Increased sustainability of forest-based value chains in cooperation with local forestry owners/cooperatives. Improved end-of-life (EoL) of bio-based products from woody residues. Scope: Besides thin branches, leaves and needles, which are usually left on the soil to maintain the long-term viability of the forest and soil in good condition, forestry and forest industry operations generate large amounts of woody residues which are typically used for energy or low value applications. Established process technologies for round wood and wood chips are not well suited for other streams from the forest industry which are abundantly available at production sites and could be exploited as a source of feedstock for the bio-based industries. Thus, there is the need to demonstrate techno-economic feasibility of innovative valorisation pathways to increase the value which can be derived from residues from the wood and forest-based industries while also improving sustainability compared to state-of the art valorisation routes. Proposals under this topic should: Demonstrate (TRL 6 and above) innovative technologies to obtain bio-based chemicals and/or materials from woody residues. Feedstock in scope includes woody residues generated at forestry and/or at industrial processing sites, including, but not limited to, bark, sawdust or residues from wood harvesting and processing. Demonstration should cover the optimal combination of innovative and scalable technologies aimed at maximising yield, selectivity and productivity across upstream pretreatment/fractionation, further conversion into chemicals/materials, separation/purification processes. The proposed technologies should address flexibility to feedstock quality variability. Validate (TRL 5 and above) the obtained chemicals/materials into end products. Assess the products’ performance and ensure that they fulfil technical performance requirements according to the end market application(s). Apply the eco-design principles, in line with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation , to the end-product(s) for sustainable EoL and test it at TRL5 and above. Incineration is not in scope. In addition to the specific requirements applicable for the type of action, as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 [1] , proposals under this topic should: As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), ensure close collaboration with local forest owners and managers, including cooperatives and/or sectorial associations. Optimise biomass supply chain models, including sourcing, storage and/or transport as relevant for selected woody residues. Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted chemicals/materials and derived bio-based product(s). For more information on the SSbD framework and criteria, refer to Safe and sustainable by design . Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe (under Cluster 6 and other Clusters of Horizon Europe) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects. [1] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents Programme areas: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy, Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Keywords: Forest ecosystem services, Forestry, Forestry, biomass production (e.g. for biofuels), Materials engineering, bio-based chemicals, bio-based materials, bio-conversion, biomass logistics, biomass supply, eco-design, forest management, forestry, safe and sustainable by design, woody residues, STEP-Biotech