Space Critical EEE Components for EU non-dependence - Connectors
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-73
Funding Amount
€800K - €1.0M
Deadline
25/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Space Critical EEE Components for EU non-dependence - Connectors Call?
Grant Description
Development and maturation of critical space electronic, electrical and electromechanical components, specifically connectors at target TRL 5-6, to reduce dependency on non-EU technologies by establishing sustainable and trustable EU supply chains free from export restrictions. Projects should include detailed supply chain analysis, technology development, formal space qualification deliverables, and a commercialization roadmap.
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
• Reinforced EU strategic autonomy by reducing non-EU dependencies on critical space EEE components and related technologies across the entire supply chain.
• Unrestricted access to critical space EEE components and related technologies for EU space missions.
• Regained capacity for independent space operations through resilient, EU-based or trustable supply chains not affected by non-EU export restrictions.
• Enhanced competitiveness via development of products and capabilities with equivalent or superior performance to non-EU alternatives, enabling global market competition.
• New opportunities for European manufacturers by decreasing reliance on non-EU export-restricted technologies.
• Unrestricted access to critical space EEE components and related technologies for EU space missions.
• Regained capacity for independent space operations through resilient, EU-based or trustable supply chains not affected by non-EU export restrictions.
• Enhanced competitiveness via development of products and capabilities with equivalent or superior performance to non-EU alternatives, enabling global market competition.
• New opportunities for European manufacturers by decreasing reliance on non-EU export-restricted technologies.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
1. Component Focus: Connectors (target final TRL 5–6) and related state-of-the-art space EEE technologies.
2. Supply Chain Structure: Preferably fully EU-based; if non-EU services are required (e.g., advanced semiconductor processes or materials), they must be pre-approved and ensure a trustable, export-control-free chain.
3. Export-Control Compliance: Demonstrate that the supply chain and final product are free of legal export restrictions (ITAR, EAR 99, etc.) and identify any parts subject to non-EU controls.
4. Standards and Qualification: For TRL ≥5, list applicable standards (EN, ECSS, ESCC, MIL, JEDEC, etc.) and deliver the complete data pack planned for formal space qualification.
5. Dedicated Tasks & Deliverables (within 6 months):
• Detailed supply-chain mapping (entities, roles, criticality, non-EU dependencies).
• Industrial technical roadmap and commercialization business plan (applications needs, mission insertion, time to market).
• Comprehensive list of relevant extra-territorial non-EU export controls.
• Literature review of state-of-the-art and gap analysis between EU solutions and non-EU competitors.
6. Complementarity: Clearly identify and describe complementarity with national and other European activities.
2. Supply Chain Structure: Preferably fully EU-based; if non-EU services are required (e.g., advanced semiconductor processes or materials), they must be pre-approved and ensure a trustable, export-control-free chain.
3. Export-Control Compliance: Demonstrate that the supply chain and final product are free of legal export restrictions (ITAR, EAR 99, etc.) and identify any parts subject to non-EU controls.
4. Standards and Qualification: For TRL ≥5, list applicable standards (EN, ECSS, ESCC, MIL, JEDEC, etc.) and deliver the complete data pack planned for formal space qualification.
5. Dedicated Tasks & Deliverables (within 6 months):
• Detailed supply-chain mapping (entities, roles, criticality, non-EU dependencies).
• Industrial technical roadmap and commercialization business plan (applications needs, mission insertion, time to market).
• Comprehensive list of relevant extra-territorial non-EU export controls.
• Literature review of state-of-the-art and gap analysis between EU solutions and non-EU competitors.
6. Complementarity: Clearly identify and describe complementarity with national and other European activities.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Eligibility: Only legal entities established in EU Member States, Norway or Iceland may participate. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries must provide guarantees of non-impact on EU strategic assets.
• Export Controls: All results and supply chains must remain free of restrictions (e.g., ITAR, EAR) during and up to 4 years after project end. No supply-chain entity may be established in non-eligible countries.
• Deliverable Confidentiality: Sensitive deliverables (e.g., qualification data pack, supply-chain analysis) must be submitted confidentially to DG-DEFIS and HaDEA within 6 months of project start.
• Post-Project Obligations: For 4 years post-action, products/processes must be supplied to any EU entity at fair, reasonable market conditions, with no export restrictions.
• Transfer & Licensing: Any intended transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing must be notified to DG-DEFIS and HaDEA in advance; authority may object up to 4 years after project end.
• Gender Dimension: Not relevant for this topic.
• Export Controls: All results and supply chains must remain free of restrictions (e.g., ITAR, EAR) during and up to 4 years after project end. No supply-chain entity may be established in non-eligible countries.
• Deliverable Confidentiality: Sensitive deliverables (e.g., qualification data pack, supply-chain analysis) must be submitted confidentially to DG-DEFIS and HaDEA within 6 months of project start.
• Post-Project Obligations: For 4 years post-action, products/processes must be supplied to any EU entity at fair, reasonable market conditions, with no export restrictions.
• Transfer & Licensing: Any intended transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing must be notified to DG-DEFIS and HaDEA in advance; authority may object up to 4 years after project end.
• Gender Dimension: Not relevant for this topic.
Important dates
Open from: 22/05/2025
Deadline:25/09/2025
Application period has ended
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