Anchored in the Danish Strategy for Space Research and Innovation, efforts are currently underway to expand the role of authorities in developing a domestic market for space-based solutions.
Together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Research (UFS) wishes, through public-private partnerships, to promote the use of innovative space-based solutions for disaster management.
With ESA's "Thematic Call for Proposals: Innovative space solutions supporting the Danish Emergency Management Agency", Danish companies are invited to develop innovative solutions that use space technology to improve disaster management in the fields of:
- Coastal marine monitoring
- Wildfire detection and alerts
As a potential user and public partner, DEMA has described two fields for which they seek to develop innovative space-based solutions in collaboration with private actors. UFS has earmarked 1.56 million Euros to support such Danish projects under this call.
Webinar with ESA and DEMA 17 September 2025
ESA will host a non-mandatory webinar (online only) on 17 September 2025, from 14:00-15:00 CEST. Organised in collaboration with DEMA, this webinar offers applicants an opportunity to first-hand hear more about DEMA’s operational needs as well as an opportunity to ask questions directly to ESA, DEMA, and UFS.
What Projects Are Eligible for Funding?
The purpose of the project must be to develop one or more commercial space-based applications that address at least one of the described cases within either coastal marine monitoring or wildfire detection and alerts.
Any Danish company or organisation, whether as a group of users, a public body, or a non-governmental organisation, can apply. To be eligible for funding, the entity must be registered in Denmark, and the applicant’s portion of the activity must take place in Denmark.
In the context of this call, the funding per project shall not exceed €750,000. As a baseline, the co-funding rate – the proportion of eligible project costs covered by ESA – ranges between 50% and 80%, depending on the project’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and the type of applicant entity, i.e. whether the applicant entity is an SME, a non-SME, or a university or research institution with no commercial interest in the product or service. Detailed conditions are outlined in ESA's official Call for Ideas on OSIP.
Beware that, if more than 3% of the total project cost lies outside of Denmark, a separate approval will be required to sign a contract award. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Sparring with ESA Technology Broker Denmark for new applicants
Companies that have not previously worked with ESA have the opportunity to receive sparring on their applications from the ESA Technology Broker Denmark. The broker has built up extensive experience in guiding companies through ESA’s application processes. Contact space commercialisation manager Poul Zimmermann Nielsen, pzn@esabic.dk, to hear more about the possibilities.
Application process and the first deadline
The application process is described in ESA's official Call for Ideas on OSIP. ESA assesses the applications according to its own requirements and criteria. Contracts will be offered based on ESA's final evaluation score and the official eligibility criteria. UFS is not involved in ESA's assessment of the applications.
By submitting an application, applicants accept that UFS may publish information about the activity on its website, in its newsletter, and on LinkedIn, if the project is awarded a contract.