PULSER funding

Boosting the space fibre of companies

PULSER is a funding programme dedicated to encouraging innovation and economic and societal development, sponsored by the European Space Agency and funded by Member States.

This programme supports the development of innovative projects with the aim of creating high economic value in the space sector.

PULSER, ESA's funding scheme for space companies

In practical terms, the PULSER programme offers:

Zero-equity financial support (from €60K to €2M+)
Personalized assistance from Connect By CNES, including:
- Support from CNES technical teams and experts
- Help with compiling your application
- Access to the Connect By CNES partner network and to ESA Business Applications
Guaranteed credibility thanks to the CNES and ESA brands

Financement — The PULSER programme supports innovation and economic development

Who is PULSER for?

Users of space technology

To be eligible for support under the PULSER programme, you need to be behind an innovation implementing space technology, i.e. using the services offered by:

Satellite telecommunications systems (TV, broadband, IoT, etc.)
Navigation and positioning systems – GNSS (geolocation, time as a service, etc.)
Earth observation systems (optical, radar, AIS, Copernicus, weather data, etc.)
Space exploration systems

In all sectors of use

This service is exclusively aimed at the downstream space sector (space applications, mature products and services) and covers all sectors of use:

Mobility
Health
Environment
Agriculture
Insurance
Fintech, etc.

For companies of all sizes

All types of companies can apply to the PULSER programme:

Start-ups
SMEs
Mid-tier companies
Large groups

Candidats BASS — Regardless of your size or industry sector, if you use satellite data, you are eligible.

What does the scheme actually provide?

Three courses of action are possible under the PULSER programme:

Kick Start – Call for projects – €80K co-financed at 80%
Feasibility study – Call for projects and Open call < €250K
Project aiming at commmercialization\Placing a product on the market – Open Call

As an indication, the following co-financing rates may be obtained:

Up to 80% for start-ups and SMEs
Up to 50% for mid-tier companies and large groups

How do I apply?

You will need to put together an application file:

Demonstrating how space solutions add technological and commercial value to the service you are developing
Including a business model
Explaining who are your potential customers

What are the steps?

Complete the industrial support request form with the help of a CNES expert – 2 to 3 weeks (link to form)
Send the completed form to IAP_DepotProjet@cnes.fr with a copy to Jacques.Beas-Garcia@cnes.fr and the CNES expert
Receive an interview invitation – CNES Selection Committee – meets on a monthly basis
Decision to grant support (FR) – Generally within 15 days
Start of the contract process with ESA – immediately following the decision to grant support
Contract – between 4 and 6 months after the start of the process depending on the complexity of the application

Etapes candidature — It takes between 4 and 8 months to process each application

For information, the application processing and contract process can vary in duration between 4 months (Kick Start) and 8 months (Feasibility Study and Commercialization Project)