Supporting post-conflict democracy and reconstruction

Digital enablers and building-blocks 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 focus on the fast increment of the Low to Mid TRL level building blocks for key technologies [1] required to strengthen competitiveness in these domains. Projects are expected to contribute to one or several of the following outcomes: New commercial services and applications enabled by increased digitalisation of space solutions; Favouring a competitive and sustainable European Space Sector; Enable the European Space Industry to maintain a significant share of the global connectivity market; Next generation Earth observation and SatCom payloads, technologies and processing means (on ground and in space); Security of SatCom and EO services, supporting next-generation technologies for both ground and space commercial applications; Improved access to satellite data through interoperable systems. 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 for current and future satellite networks interoperability including both space and ground-based assets, and digital on-ground infrastructure to test and enhance operational efficiency; R&I on Earth Observation equipment, subsystems, applications and services, improving the End-to-End timeliness of an EO system and enhanced resolution, miniaturisation of instrument designs and digital techniques and technologies to support operations and harmonisation enabling interoperability among multiple EO missions; R&I on building blocks and processes common to EO and SatCom systems, such system resources usage optimisation, high-performance processing payload H/W to support space network capabilities including an improvement in downlink and tasking capabilities of the European infrastructure, RF and optical hybrid ground stations for anchoring services and quantum technologies adaptation for space application. Proposals may contribute to one or more of the above R&I areas, however the main area addressed must 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. 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, proposed activities should be complementary to H2020 and Horizon Europe funded projects, national activities and activities funded by the European Space Agency (ESA). This topic contributes to the implementation of the European Partnership on ‘Globally Competitive Space Systems’ (GCSS). 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 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

Space critical EEE components for EU non-dependence – GaN MMICs mm-Wave Foundations (Phase A): Development and Industrialization of Semi-insulating SiC Substrate Capabilities is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Reinforcing EU strategic autonomy by reducing non-EU dependencies on critical space EEE components and related technologies across their entire supply chain; Providing unrestricted access to critical space EEE components and related technologies relevant for EU space missions (Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, IRIS 2 and EU pilot missions on In-Orbit Space Operations and Quantum Gravimetry); Developing or regaining capacity to operate independently in space by developing resilient space EEE components and related technologies supply chains, relying on EU supply chains and/or trustable and reliable supply chains not affected by non-EU export restrictions; Enhancing competitiveness by developing products and capabilities reaching equivalent or superior performance level than those from outside the EU and compete at worldwide level. Scope: Unrestricted access to state-of-art space EEE components and related technologies is a pre-requisite for the EU space industry responding to EU space missions. However, especially for some families of components, the available solutions in EU do not meet the current high-performance space requirements. Currently, alternative products sourced from outside EU, are either affected by non-EU export control, that limits its use, or present challenges in terms of trustable supply chains for the implementation of EU space missions with a security dimension. Within the frame of this topic, it is expected to finance and implement a development project aiming at maturing critical space EEE components with the final goal of lowering the dependency from outside EU. This will be done by establishing a long-term sustainable supply chain for supporting EU strategic autonomy in the space sector. The selection of the supply chains shall reflect this objective. Therefore, the supply chain shall preferably be built fully based in EU and when this can only be achieved partially (i.e. because of lack of current EU capabilities for unrestricted advanced semiconductor processes or advanced materials that cannot be developed within the project), services procured from outside EU shall nevertheless ensure that the overall supply chain will remain trustable and not affected by non-EU export control. The latest scenario is subject to the approval of the granting authority. The space EEE component and related technologies relevant for this topic represent a direct implementation of the EU Observatory of Critical Technologies (OCT) Technology Roadmap, named GaN for RF and mm-wave Space and Defence Applications: industrial development of an EU-based source of semi-insulating SiC substrates addressing the 100/150mm . Further details will be provided at the latest at the opening of the Call, in a Guidance document published on the Funding & Tenders Portal. Space is a low volume market affected by a dynamic industrial landscape compared to the terrestrial market therefore, technological spin in and/or bilateral collaborations should be enhanced between European non-space and space industries. Furthermore, proposed activities should be complementary to relevant national or other activities at EU level. Complementary activities should be clearly identified, described and the proposal should report how the complementarity is ensured. To achieve the non-dependence objective, applicants are expected to include a dedicated proposal’s paragraph covering: The description of the technology and/or technology processes and high-level breakdown of the space EEE component supply chain to be used. Applicants should demonstrate that the supply chain and final product are free of any legal export restrictions or limitations, such as those established in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or equivalent instruments applicable in other non-EU jurisdictions. Applicants shall also report, in a dedicated subsection, if and which p Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Digital, Industry and Space

The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Office of International Visitors (ECA/PE/V) announces an open competition for up to four cooperative agreements to support the staff expenses and overhead costs of the FY 2026 International Visitor Leadership Program’s (IVLP) National Program Agencies (NPAs). Launched in 1940, the IVLP is the Department of State’s foundational professional exchange program. The IVLP advances U.S. national security priorities and builds long-term relationships between Americans and international leaders in government, business, academia, and other fields. Recipients design and implement customized short-term visits to the United States for current and emerging leaders from around the world. These visits support U.S. foreign policy goals and reflect the participants’ professional interests. Eligible recipients will have expertise in foreign policy, experience in professional exchange programming, and the ability to provide tailored projects for participants from all countries. Please see the full NOFO for additional information. Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0017385. Assistance Listing: 19.402. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: O. Award Amount: $613K – $1.2M per award.