Xjenza Malta is pleased to announce the opening of the Second Malta PECS Call under the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Plan for European Cooperating States (PECS). This call provides opportunities for companies and organisations based in Malta to submit proposals for a variety of space-related research and development activities.

How to Apply

All applicants must register on the ESA Star Platform to submit their proposals:
Create an ESA Star account

Available Funding Types:

Type A – Research and preparatory activity such as feasibility studies/demonstrators, conceptual design work, competitive landscape survey, user requirements and breadboard demonstrators aimed at preparation for participation in ESA optional programmes or the initial steps of a product development for Space.

 

Potential Applicants are invited to submit Proposals for the following maximum price: a price not higher than 125,000 Euro;

  • TRL Requirement: Minimum start TRL 1 and Maximum end TRL 3;
  • Prime Contractorship: may be led by either industry, universities/research organisations or other national entities depending on the context;
  • Expected Duration of the activity: 9-15 months.

 

Type B – Flight and Ground segment related research and development activities in the form of equipment (including ground communication or space science payload) to build competences and capabilities centred on products or generic technology development with potential for re-use on ESA or commercial missions. Ground equipment and mission operation systems (EGSE, MSC, OGSE, ground stations or test equipment related) may also be considered if it is clearly demonstrated that it would lead to a recurring product/ service.  This includes mid-TRL downstream application developments as ‘non-hardware’ developments.

 

  • Potential Applicants are invited to submit Proposals for the following maximum price: a price not higher than 350,000 Euro for hardware development activities, for all other activities 250,000 Euro;
  • TRL Requirement: Minimum start TRL 3 and Maximum end TRL 5;
  • Prime Contractorship: should preferably be led by Industry and preferably include a potential end customer. Cooperation with Academia is encouraged;
  • Expected Duration of the activity: 15-24 months.

 

Type D – Space science activities – Supporting the involvement of Maltese researchers in ESA Space Projects leading to potential of future involvement in ESA science mission core team and publication of peer reviewed scientific papers.

  • Potential Applicants are invited to submit Proposals for the following maximum price: a price not higher than 75,000 Euro;
  • Prime Contractorship: must be led by Academia and must include a non-Maltese entity with ESA core science team experience;
  • Expected Duration of the activity: 36 months;

 

Type F – Space (downstream) applications – Products and services making use of ESA/European space infrastructure that is already existing or scheduled for operation in the near term. The goal is to ensure the introduction of a product to a first customer and to enter into customers supply chain.

  • Potential Applicants are invited to submit Proposals for the following maximum price: a price not higher than 200,000 Euro;
  • TRL Requirement:  End TRL must be TRL 8;
  • Prime Contractorship: must be led by Industry with the capability to commercialise the service. Must include an end user customer as subcontractor. May include academia for technical support; must be co-funded to a minimum level of 25% of the total cost of the activity (e.g. if ESA pays 150k EUR, the total cost is at least 200k EUR). No profit is allowed. Cannot be used for repetitive product uptake scenarios only first customer.
  • Expected Duration of the activity: 15-24 months.

 

Type G – Education activities

G1. University courses (development of additional modules to an existing BSc or MSc degree) leading to a qualification in space-related topics that correspond to the needs of Maltese space industry and to encourage career in space and answer to national space industry needs.

  • Tenderers are invited to submit Proposals for the following maximum price: a price not higher than 70,000 Euro;
  • TRL Requirement: not applicable;
  • Prime Contractorship: must be led by Academia.
  • Expected Duration of the activity: maximum of 36 months;

 

G2. PhD Thesis that corresponds to a clear need from the Maltese Space Industry and would lead to a new industrial product or service being able to be developed. Industry is required to present a letter of intent for the PhD Thesis to ensure the future commercial uptake of the funded work.

Tenderers are invited to submit Proposals for the following maximum price: a price not higher than 75,000 Euro for each PhD. A maximum number of 5 proposals shall be funded.

  • TRL Requirement: not applicable;
  • Prime Contractorship: must be led by Academia. Industry must be involved as a partner in the definition of the courses, practical lessors and/or topics.
  • Expected Duration of the activity: maximum of 36 months;

 

Important Notice

  • Proposals are open to companies or organisations based in Malta. Non-Maltese entities may be involved, but their tasks must not exceed 20% of the total project price.
  • Each proposal must meet the required TRL (Technology Readiness Level) and other criteria as outlined for each type.

For more details about the ESA PECS Tenders, please contact: Dr Michael Quinton michael.quinton@gov.mt.

The call will remain open until the 19th of February 2025 13:00 hrs.

The second Malta PECS was announced on the ESA Star Publication page: ESA Tender Actions Second Call for Malta PECS 2025.

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