New Grant Launching – European Space Agency: Space For a Sustainable Textile Industry

The European Space Agency: Space For a Sustainable Textile Industry grant funding invites proposals for feasibility studies aimed at enhancing transparency, sustainability, and resilience across the cotton value chain and the wider textile industry. This call supports the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Industrial Strategy, which highlight textiles as a priority sector for advancing a carbon-neutral, circular economy.

Key Details

Detail	Information
Funding Organisation	European Space Agency (ESA)
Grant Amount	Up to £200,000
Application Deadline	23 March 2025
Eligibility Criteria	Companies developing space-enabled services and products related to the textile industry; includes the UK

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the European Space Agency: Space For a Sustainable Textile Industry funding, your project must meet the following criteria:

• Open to companies intending to develop space-enabled services and products related to the textile industry.
• Projects should address topics such as water quality impact, environmental impacts of cotton sustainability practices, traceability, ecosystem monitoring, and sustainable textile supply chains.
• Authorisation of Funding letters from National Delegations are required as part of the application.

Project Focus

ESA seeks proposals that leverage space-based solutions to address key challenges in the textile industry. Relevant topics include:

• Impact on Water Quality: Assessing how cotton cultivation affects water resources.
• Environmental Impact Assessment: Evaluating the environmental impacts of different cotton sustainability practices.
• Traceability: Enhancing traceability within the cotton value chain.
• Ecosystem Monitoring: Monitoring the cumulative impact on ecosystems and identifying areas for restoration or conservation.
• Sustainable Supply Chains: Developing sustainable practices within the textile supply chain.

Value of Space

Space-based technologies play a crucial role in addressing these challenges:

• Satellite Navigation (SatNav): Enables geo-tagging services for data collected by IoT sensors, helping to locate pollution sources.
• Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO): Provides geospatial, environmental, weather, and mapping information for diverse applications, enabling decision-making assessments.
• Satellite Telecommunications (SatCom): Offers communication in remote locations without terrestrial networks, enhancing network resilience and robustness.

Application Process

The application process for European Space Agency: Space For a Sustainable Textile Industry has a few steps:

1. Webinar: Attend the ESA webinar on 22 January 2025 at 10am UK time (11am CET) for detailed information.
2. Submit Proposal: Submit your feasibility study proposal by 23 March 2025.
3. Evaluation: Proposals will be evaluated based on their potential to enhance transparency, sustainability, and resilience in the textile industry.

Funding Information for the European Space Agency: Space For a Sustainable Textile Industry grant funding

ESA offers funding and support for business case assessment and the development of new, space-based services. The funding includes:

• Technical & Commercial Guidance: Access to ESA’s expertise and network.
• Zero-Equity Funding: ESA will co-fund 80% of the acceptable cost, up to €200K per awarded study.
• Use of ESA Brand: Leverage the ESA brand for your service.

Additional Information for the European Space Agency: Space For a Sustainable Textile Industry grant funding

Programme Background

The ESA call aligns with the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, which prioritise the textile sector for advancing a carbon-neutral, circular economy. The textile industry is a significant consumer of raw materials and water, and a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. This call aims to mitigate the environmental impact of cotton cultivation and promote sustainable practices.

Project Requirements

At the end of your project, you must:

• Produce a detailed report on the project outcomes, including technical achievements and environmental impacts.
• Share your findings with ESA and relevant stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the potential impact of your project on the textile industry and the environment.

How FI Group Can Help

At FI Group, we specialise in helping businesses navigate the complexities of grant applications. Our innovation funder grants service is designed to guide you through every step of the application process, ensuring that your project stands out and meets all eligibility criteria. With our expertise, you can maximise your chances of securing funding and successfully implementing your space-enabled textile project. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your grant application journey.