All those involved in European space-related technology research and development have a common objective: to boost the competitiveness of European industry and ensure the success of future missions. To maximise the effectiveness of each euro invested in R&D requires all actors to coordinate together effectively: ESA, the European Union, national space agencies, private companies, research organisations and universities.
The investment in question adds up to a considerable sum.
Civil institutional space technology activities funding in Europe amounted to approximately 700 M€ in 2019*, funded through national, ESA and EU programmes.
Of this total figure, more than 375 M€ has been funded by ESA through programmes with a strong technology R&D component, along with other ESA technology initiatives and coordination mechanisms.


For nearly two decades of operation, and several major reviews recommending its strengthening, the Technology Harmonisation is now an established well proven European process.

The Leading standardisation board is the ESA engineering steering board (ESSB) it is supported by 3 technical standardisation boards (TSBS)

Key technology stakeholders within the European space sector have been further strengthening their coordination and cooperation through various processes and programmes.
Whether you are an ESA Member State delegate, a member of a European institution, industry, R&T organisation or university, select the relevant filter to discover which opportunities exist to participate in these initiatives: