ESA Co-funded Research
ESA offers to co-fund novel, space-related PhD and post-doctoral research activities. Part of our efforts to strengthen the innovation capacity of the European space sector, these co-funded research activities increase interaction between ESA, European universities, research and industry.
ESA is looking for novel ideas related to space activities, and novelty is the differentiator. The monthly updated list of ongoing co-funded research activities here provides information on the type and topics for such co-funded research activities.
Sponsorship may be provided in a number of ways:
- Co-funding: ESA co-funds with up to 50% and up to €90,000 research for a doctoral degree (typically three years) or post-doctoral investigation (typically two years)
- Access to ESTEC laboratories: researchers are able to use ESTEC facilities
- Technical support: participants gain access to ESA experts with whom to discuss concepts and assess their potential for space applications
- Participants are encouraged to include industrial partners for further cooperation and build 'innovation networks'
Who can apply?
Researchers (PhD or post-doc research projects)
Recruitment process
How to apply?
Innovative doctoral or post-doctoral research proposals need to be submitted to the Open Discovery Channel at ESA’s Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP). This is where all novel ideas for innovation with ESA are submitted.
The first step is to submit your idea, which will be assessed in terms of its novelty. If it is accepted, you will then need to complete a proposal form on the platform. You can apply any time of the year, evaluations take place each month.
Learn more about co-funded research with ESA here.
When does it start?
For selected co-funded research activities, contracts will have to be signed between ESA and the host university. Depending on processing time at the host university, up to six months can be necessary before the actual research activity can start.
More information
Take a look at the current and past research activities launched through OSIP: https://ideas.esa.int
Explore the Open Discovery Channel: http://bit.do/OSIP-discovery
Looking for more learning and hands-on opportunities?
ESA Academy is open to university students from undergraduate to PhD level coming from ESA Member States, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
ESA Academy joins forces with European universities, space institutes, and national space agencies to offer exceptional learning and hands-on opportunities, in a vast portfolio of different programmes. ESA Academy is designed to complement academic education. Its objective is to enhance students’ educational experience and help them develop both practical and theoretical know-how and expertise in various disciplines, ranging from space sciences to engineering, space medicine, spacecraft operations, project and risk management, product and quality assurance, standardisation and much more.
Learn more about ESA Academy.
Find your path at ESA
ESA offers a number of entry-level programmes targeting students (Master or PhD), recent graduates and young professionals, alongside its vacancies for experienced professionals. One of them could be your path to space! Quickly find outwhich programme could be the best fit for you by following the pathways at ESA on our entry-level flowchart.
