European Space Agency: Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solutions

Innovate UK ICURe; Swindon; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

The European Space Agency (ESA) invites companies to participate in the Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solutions Initiative. This opportunity aims to support the development of innovative services leveraging space technology to enhance agricultural monitoring and management. The call for proposals welcomes submissions for:

1. Feasibility Studies – providing a preparatory framework to identify, analyze, and define potentially sustainable services.
2. Demonstration Projects – dedicated to implementing and demonstrating pre-operational services.

ESA invites tenders to develop and deploy innovative solutions that address challenges in the agricultural sector. Companies are encouraged to conduct feasibility studies or demonstration projects demonstrating:

• Clear market opportunities and customer needs
• Commercially viable service concepts
• Feasible technical solutions
• Effective use of space data or technology
• Teams with strong business, technical, and financial expertise

Funding participation is open to any company or organization in subscribing states to the BASS programme, including the UK. The initiative focuses on leveraging space technology for:

• Crop classification
• Soil property mapping
• Greenhouse gas emission reduction
• Afforestation monitoring
• Monitoring of bare soil and plant cover ratio
• Catch crop monitoring
• Grazing activity detection
• Management of buffer zones around water bodies
• Risk assessment

Key satellite technologies include:

• Earth Observation (SatEO) for environmental monitoring
• Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for precision agriculture
• Satellite communications for data transfer
• Digital twins for virtual farm environment modeling

ESA offers funding and support, including:

• Zero-equity funding (50-80%) depending on SME status and approval
• Technical and commercial guidance
• Access to ESA networks and partners
• ESA brand credibility

For project partnership opportunities or contact with the UK National Delegation, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Space team. Find out more and apply.