Space for Inspiration (S4I) 2026 is ESA’s annual conference on commercialisation of space exploration, bringing together industry, researchers, investors, institutional stakeholders and innovators to accelerate commercial use cases enabled by space. The 2026 edition will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 1–2 September 2026 and will provide an international forum to share results, compare approaches, build partnerships and identify practical pathways from demonstration to scale – across both microgravity-enabled innovation and lunar exploration enabling capabilities.
As part of the 2026 edition, ESA is launching the Academic Challenge: an opportunity for academic teams to put forward innovative research concepts with strong long-term commercial potential for in-orbit markets and the lunar space resources value chain.
The Challenge is designed to help promising research move closer to a market-relevant proposition by combining visibility, pitch preparation, and tailored follow-on support.
Submission deadline is on the 5 June 2026.
Who can apply:
The call is open to universities, research institutes, and academic laboratories based in ESA Member, Cooperating, or Associated States, with proposals led by PhD‑level researchers or above.
The Academic Challenge is divided into 3 Tracks:
- Track 1: Health & Life Sciences
- Track 2: Advanced Materials & In‑Space Manufacturing
- Track 3: Space Resources – Construction Applications
Meet the Academic Challenge – Step by Step:
Why you should submit your idea:
Ahead of the final pitch competition, shortlisted teams receive 2 dedicated pitch preparation sessions to help them translate their research into a clear, compelling pitch. This phase focuses on refining the core idea, sharpening its relevance to the selected track, and strengthening how the potential impact and application pathway are communicated to a non‑academic audience, with guidance from the relevant corresponding BSGN Industry Accelerator Track Leader.
Following the Pitch Competition, the winning project of each track receives tailored in‑kind support aimed at consolidating the outcomes of the process and preparing the project for its next development step. This post‑competition phase includes 3 sessions of technical support, 3 sessions of commercialisation support, and a Final Support Report. The winning teams will receive one-on-one technical and commercial support by Track Leader, reflect on feedback received during S4I, and clarify realistic next actions, resulting in a consolidated view of how the concept could progress beyond the research stage.
Webinar
From the launch of the call until the submission deadline, the BSGN Industry Accelerators will host a dedicated webinar to present each Track and provide additional insights into the opportunity. The Webinar will introduce the focus and expectations of each Track, share practical guidance on what makes a strong proposal, and offer space for live Q&A with potential applicants.
Upcoming Webinar: 12 May 2026, 16:30 to 17:30 CET: Register here.
Full details about the call, the Tracks, and the application process are available on ESA’s Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP). Applicants are invited to explore the information provided and submit their ideas no later than 5 June 2026.
