The Space Technology Program, an initiative in the field of PERTE Aerospace, is launching the 2024 call for proposals by CDTI Innovation. The program’s goal is to develop technological capabilities based on I + D to enhance the competitiveness of the Spanish aerospace industry as a key actor for the sector’s upcoming opportunities and challenges. Applications for the 70 million euros in subsidies from the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism of the PRTR Addendum are accepted until June 19, 2024. Projects who are granted the concession will be able to receive up to 100% of the funding in advance.
Funding will be allocated to the following areas:
a. New Space – Satellite Constellations: €30 million set aside for R&D projects aimed at creating novel goods, services, or procedures, or improving space systems’ ability to produce large quantities of payloads and subsystems. Prioritize key initiatives to ensure Spain leads the way in upcoming satellite services.
b. Bottom-up Space Technology Maturation: €40 million set aside for initiatives that promote the development of space technology, especially those that have the potential to be highly disruptive or that make it possible to use state-of-the-art scientific instruments. Of this, €16 million is set aside for minor initiatives.
R&D initiatives submitted by business consortia fall into one of two categories and must begin in 2024.
a. Large Projects: Consortia of two to six enterprises (with at least one SME), with budgets ranging from €5 to €25 million, headed by medium-sized or larger companies. 15% or more must be subcontracted to research institutions.
b. Small Projects: €1-4 million budgets, consortiums of two to six businesses (with a minimum of one SME), headed by medium-sized or smaller businesses (micro-SMEs not included). 10% at least in subcontracting to research institutions. Big businesses are allowed to contribute up to 35% of the funds.
“The objective of this program, which is part of the Aerospace PERTE, is to boost the competitiveness of the Spanish aerospace industry as a key actor for the next challenges and opportunities of the sector through the development of technological capabilities,” stated Diana Morant, Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities. In addition, she stated that “the commitment of the Government of Spain to space generates new opportunities and industrial capabilities that make us a more resilient country with greater strategic autonomy.”
The equivalent of 4.5 billion euros will be made available by PERTE Aerospace until 2025 to support science and innovation in the aerospace industry in order to address industry concerns including climate change, international security, and the digital shift.
