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Flanders – Netherlands Horizon Europe Space Matchmaking 2025

22 May 2025

Noordwijk, Netherlands

Space Business Innovation Centre

Cluster 4 of the Horizon Europe program aims to increase European capacity in key technologies in the digital, industrial, and space domains. This is to strengthen Research & Development (R&D) for a competitive, green, digital, and circular European industry. The space theme within Horizon Europe aims to achieve open strategic autonomy in developing, deploying, and using global space-based infrastructures, services, applications, and data. Under the Horizon Europe EU Space Research call 2025 (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02) will be the following themes

  • European Spaceports: Spaceports; Launch Systems; Launch Operations; Launch Standards and Regulatory Practices; Spaceport Interoperability and Safety Equipment.
  • Space Transportation Systems: Disruptive Technologies for Digitalisation; Eco-design Software Tools to enhance In-orbit Reconfigurability; Smart Avionics; Health Monitoring Systems and Smart Sensors; On-board High-data Rate Processing; Thermo-mechanical Monitoring and Damage Detection; Ground and Flight Software for Data Management.
  • In-Space Operations and Services:  In-space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM); Satellite Life Extension; In-space Logistics; In-space Refuelling; Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD); Functional Satellite Modules; Spacecraft Service Interfaces; Space Robotics.
  • Satellite Communication: Digitalisation; End-to-End SatCom Mission Capabilities; Satellite Network Interconnectivity; Optical Communication; Inter-Satellite Links; Reconfigurable Payloads; 5G/6G Interoperability; Distributed Computing; Flexible and Modular Testbeds; Data Fusion; System Security; Resource Usage Optimisation; Processing Payload Hardware; Data Downlink.
  • Earth Observation: Digitalisation; On-board Processing Software and AI; Multi-source Data Fusion; Equipment and Instruments Digitalisation; Ground Segment Interfaces; Active and Adaptive Optics; High-power Electronics; Miniaturised Instruments Design; System Security; Resource Usage Optimisation; Processing Payload Hardware; Data Downlink; Remote Sensing of Maritime Litter and Ship Source Pollution.
  • Copernicus Services: Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S); Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS); Copernicus Anthropogenic CO₂ Emissions Monitoring & Verification Support (CO2MVS); Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS); AI/ML Digital Transition of Copernicus Services.
  • Space Critical EEE Components and Equipment: RISC-V Microprocessors on 7nm; Chip Scale Atomic Clocks; Solar Cells; Connectors; Advanced Packages; MRAM Memories.
  • Quantum Space Gravimetry: Exploitation of Quantum Space Gravimetry (QSG) Mission Data; Quantum Sensing Technology; International Scientific Cooperation.

Both Belgium and the Netherlands provide support for applications through the National Contact Point (NCP) for the Horizon Europe program. It is wise to involve an advisor from Team IRIS (Horizon Europe - Cluster 4 Digital, industry and space | RVO.nl) at an early stage if you are considering submitting a project proposal to the EC. For Flanders, that is Home | NCP Flanders. This increases your chances of successful participation in Horizon Europe.  
The advisors can:

  • Help you determine if Horizon Europe is a suitable program for you.
  • Assist in finding project partners.
  • Advise on setting up a project.
  • Review your project proposal.
  • Advise on financial and legal rules.