Xjenza Malta għandha l-pjaċir tħabbar il-ftuħ 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.

Kif Tapplika

L-applikanti kollha jridu jirreġistraw fuq il-Pjattaforma tal-ESA Star biex jissottomettu l-proposti tagħhom:
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Available Funding Types:

Tip A – Attività ta’ riċerka u ta’ tħejjija 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;

  • Rekwiżit TRL: Minimu fil-bidu TRL 1 u massimu fit-tmiem TRL 3.
  • Prime Contractorship: may be led by either industry, universities/research organisations or other national entities depending on the context;
  • Tul ta’ żmien mistenni tal-attività: 9–15-il xahar.

 

Tip 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;
  • Rekwiżit TRL: Minimu fil-bidu TRL 3 u massimu fit-tmiem TRL 5.
  • Prime Contractorship: should preferably be led by Industry and preferably include a potential end customer. Cooperation with Academia is encouraged;
  • Tul ta’ żmien mistenni tal-attività: 15–24 xahar.

 

Tip D – Space science activities li jappoġġaw l-involviment ta’ riċerkaturi Maltin fi Proġetti Spazjali tal-ESA li jwasslu għall-potenzjal għal involviment futur fit-tim ewlieni ta’ missjoni xjentifika tal-ESA u l-pubblikazzjoni ta’ papers xjentifiċi peer-reviewed.

  • 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;

 

Tip F – Space (downstream) applications prodotti u servizzi li jagħmlu użu mill-ESA/infrastruttura spazjali Ewropea li diġà teżisti jew li hija mistennija topera fil-futur qrib. L-għan huwa li tiġi żgurata l-introduzzjoni ta’ prodott lill-ewwel klijent u li jidħol fil-katini tal-provvista tal-klijenti.

  • 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.
  • Tul ta’ żmien mistenni tal-attività: 15–24 xahar.

 

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;
  • Rekwiżit TRL: Mhux applikabbli.
  • Prime Contractorship: must be led by Academia.
  • Tul ta’ żmien mistenni tal-attività: Massimu ta’ 36 xahar.

 

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.

  • Rekwiżit TRL: Mhux applikabbli.
  • 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.
  • Tul ta’ żmien mistenni tal-attività: Massimu ta’ 36 xahar.

 

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:Click to visit the ESA Tender Actions Second Call for Malta PECS 2025.

Karigi Relatati