Data
Space x Data has launched!
Space x Data: Need your idea!
ESA Call for Conundrums: Space x Data” has launched!
This call for ideas (“conundrums”) focuses on space data generation, manipulation, and transmission. By submitting your idea, you can help shape the scope of the upcoming Phi-Lab Switzerland programme “Space x Data,” with several million CHF of total available funding, also accessible to industry.
Organisations from the public and private sectors can participate!
We are looking for conundrums in—but not limited to—these areas:
· Data Acquisition (Sensors and Raw Data)
· Onboard Data Handling (Analysis and Storage)
· Data Transmission (Space-Based and Ground Networks)
· Data Value and Integrity (Ontology, Semantic Interoperability, Trustworthiness, Sovereignty, and Security)
…and wherever bold ideas push the frontier.
We especially welcome problems that are ripe for focused, collaborative teams to tackle questions too complex or too bold for conventional funding streams. We are not looking for purely downstream applications, but rather technological advances in critical upstream bottlenecks.
The value of space activities increasingly depends on the efficient acquisition, handling, transmission, and exploitation of mission and operational data.
Help us harness Swiss and European expertise to explore ambitious ideas with high-impact commercial and research potential!
Deadline: February 27th 2026
Submitted ideas will also receive feedback regarding potential fit in European Space Agency programmes/funding schemes and raise ESA’s awareness of your organisation.
FAQ
Can I request a preliminary check before submitting my application?
To have your proposal reviewed and to assess its viability in relation to the call criteria, please contact Jennifer Wadsworth – jennifer.wadsworth@psi.ch.
How can I stay informed about upcoming calls and updates?
The best way to stay updated on ESDI’s open calls and other news is by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on LinkedIn.
Is Quantum x Space the only call available, or will Phi-Lab Switzerland offer other calls in the future?
Phi-Lab Switzerland has two additional calls planned: one on materials, scheduled for autumn 2025, and another on data, planned for 2026. This list may expand over time. To ensure you never miss an update, we recommend subscribing to our newsletter.
Who can I contact for questions regarding intellectual property, equity, or other contractual matters?
For any inquiries related to intellectual property, equity, or other contractual matters, please contact Markus Schoelmerich at markus.schoelmerich@esdi.ch.
Is there someone available to answer technical questions or provide expert guidance during the application process?
The ESDI team is available to support you with any technical questions you may have. Additionally, we collaborate with partners who possess specific expertise to ensure your questions are answered thoroughly. The first point of contact for technical inquiries is: markus.schoelmerich@esdi.ch.
What is the earliest possible start date (T0) for my project?
The earliest possible start date (T0) for your project is once the contracts are signed, which we expect to happen by 2026.
Questions Regarding Funding Details
For any question according to the funding please check the attached document: ” Funding overview” or check the OSIP webpage or contact: markus.schoelmerich@psi.ch.
What is the expected TRL at the end of the 24 months?
Regarding the expected delivery, we don’t necessarily expect a market-ready product at the end, but a path to commercialisation in the future should proposed. While TRL is a useful guide, it’s not the only factor. A project is expected to demonstrate a 10x improvement in compactness, performance, or reliability to transform quantum sensing from laboratory instruments into commercially viable products for applications in space.
Could this be considered a “consortium” under the call's definition, even if all partners are within the same legal entity?
In principle, yes. However, we encourage assembling a consortium with a variety of expertise and skills, ideally from different institutions or sectors, to enhance diversity, which aligns with the goals of the call.
Is it acceptable to submit a small-scale proposal led by a single lab focused on a specific contribution, in response to needs identified during the profile-seeking session?
While small-scale, focused contributions are valuable, the call is primarily structured around full project proposals submitted by consortia. If you are considering a single-lab proposal, we encourage you to position it as part of a broader consortium effort, ideally as a targeted contribution addressing identified needs from the profile-seeking session. You may also consider collaborating with other teams to form or join a consortium where your expertise can be integrated. For this matter we will be happy to put you in contact.
In the case of multiple labs collaborating, should internal cost allocations be treated as subcontracting, or is there a different mechanism expected for internal cost-sharing within the same legal entity?
A collaboration between several laboratories within the same legal entity can still be considered a consortium under the call’s definition, provided that multidisciplinary competences are clearly demonstrated. However, we strongly encourage forming consortia that include partners from different institutions or sectors (e.g., industry, research organizations). This approach aligns with the call’s emphasis on cross-sector innovation and multidisciplinarity. If your proposal remains within a single institution, ensure that the complementary expertise of the labs is well articulated and clearly defined in the proposal.
Contact us
We appreciate your interest in ESDI. Kindly complete the form, and we will respond to your inquiry promptly.
For questions related to open calls, please visit the call page on the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP).
Jennifer Wadsworth
Head of Phi-Lab
PSI
