Frequently asked questions
Who can apply?
What is the connection between the geospatial theme and space?
What documents are needed for application?
What are the criteria for application evaluation?
Where can I find the details about the latest call?
How will the funding be calculated?
Where can I find more information about ESA Phi-Lab?
Can I use ESA Phi-Lab’s facilities and services?
My company is not based in Finland. Can I apply for ESA Phi-Lab Finland?
What is the difference between ESA Phi-Lab and ESA BIC?
Where can I find more information about space activities and related events in Finland?
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Who can apply?
We welcome start-ups, SME’s and all larger industries to apply for ESA Phi-Lab Finland funding. Participation to the Open Call is open to all legal entities established within Finland.
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What is the connection between the geospatial theme and space?
We welcome projects from following geospatial fields:
Sensor technologies
- EO sensors upstream
- Navigation sensors
- Distributed sensor systems
- Signals and systems Innovation
Advanced computation for geospatial services
- AI applications in upstream and downstream
- Cost efficient computation
- Algorithms and signal processing
Novel digital geospatial services
- EO service innovation
- Navigation and positioning services
- Service platforms
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What documents are needed for application?
1. ESA Phi-Lab application
2. ESA Phi-Lab draft research contract
Please request these documents via email: esaphilabfinland[at]aalto.fi.
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What are the criteria for application evaluation?
We evaluate applications based on four different core areas:
- Background and Experience
- Research and Technology developments
- Commercial Opportunities and Potential Socio-Economic Impact
- Activity and Management proposal
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Where can I find the details about the latest call?
Please send us an email to request the application documents. We usually answer within two business days.
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How will the funding be calculated?
The available Innovation Seed Funds per winning project is from a minimum of 200.000 Euro to a maximum of 5000.000 Euro.
This amount shall represent a percentage ranging from 50% to 100% of the total allowable cost of the activity, subject to compliance with the following provisions:
Work carried out by SMEs may be funded up to a maximum level of up to 80% of the total allowable cost of the activity
Work carried out by universities and research institutions involved as subcontractors in a consortium and justifying no further commercial interest in the product or service may be funded to a maximum level of 100% if this funding does not exceed 30% of the total allowable cost of the activity; Should work need to be (sub)contracted for more than 30% of the total eligible costs, such additional share shall be co-funded up to a maximum of 50% of the total eligible costs; Universities and research institutions claiming to have any commercial interest in the future exploitation of the final product or service shall be required to demonstrate this interest. In such a case, the funding level for SME or non-SME shall apply.
Work carried out by economic operators that are not SMEs nor universities and research institutions may be funded up to a maximum level of 50% of the total allowable cost of the activity.
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Where can I find more information about ESA Phi-Lab?
Read more about the ESA Phi-Lab network here. If you have specific questions about ESA Phi-Lab Finland, the open call or the application process, kindly contact us via email. We usually answer within two business days.
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Can I use ESA Phi-Lab’s facilities and services?
Selected ESA Phi-Lab projects can access facilities and services at:
Aalto University:
- Small Satellite Laboratory
- Microwave technology development and validation facilities
- IC and sensor development facilities
Contact: Jaan Praks, jaan.praks[at]aalto.fi
Finnish Meteorological Institute
- Arctic Space Centre (FMI-ARC)
- FMI-ARC Sodankylä Satellite Gound Station
- Virtual and Cloud Services (FMI-ARC)
Contact: Jyri Heilimo, jyri.heilimo[at]fmi.fi
National Land Survey of Finland:
- Positioning Services: GNSS-Finland Service project, HASlib, FGI-GSRx software receiver, EODIE;
- Calibration services;
- Location based services: The FGI Geovisualization and XR Lab, Geoportti R, The Location Europa data intergration platform
Contact: Antti Jakobsson, antti.jakobsson[at]maanmittauslaitos.fi
Please note that access is not granted automatically for selected projects and must be agreed upon in advance.
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My company is not based in Finland. Can I apply for ESA Phi-Lab Finland?
Participation to the Open Call is open to all legal entities established within Finland. If your company is based in another ESA member state, kindly reach out via email before applying.
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What is the difference between ESA Phi-Lab and ESA BIC?
ESA Phi-Lab NET intends to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation. ESA Phi-Lab Finland has a strong focus on geospatial topics.
ESA Business Incubation Centers help early-stage start-ups to leverage their space connection (upstream, downstream or technology transfer) and develop their company.
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Where can I find more information about space activities and related events in Finland?
- Space Finland: https://spacefinland.fi/en/front-page
- Aalto University, Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering: https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-electronics-and-nanoengineering
- Business Finland: https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/for-finnish-customers/home
- University of Vaasa, Vaasa Space Avenue: https://sites.uwasa.fi/vaasaspaceavenue/
- FMI: https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/earth-observation-research
- National Land Survey: https://www.maanmittauslaitos.fi/en/research