Want To Work In Space? Here’s Your Chance With ESA’s New Call
The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially launched the second PECS (Plan for a European Cooperating State) call for Malta. Opened on 8th January 2025, this call invites researchers from the private sector, public sector and academic institutions to submit research proposals aimed at advancing Malta’s Space sector.
The PECS agreement, a five-year collaboration between ESA and Xjenza Malta, is specifically designed to develop Malta’s capacity in the Space industry.
Through this framework, the initiative aims to foster innovation, research and development in three key areas:
- Space Upstream: Focusing on prototypes and technologies for spacecraft, satellites and exploration.
- Space Downstream: Developing services and products for satellite communication, Earth observation and related applications.
- Space Education: Expanding educational programs like Bachelor’s and Master’s degree modules and, this year, funding five PhD proposals.
PECS acts as an incubator for Malta’s Space ecosystem, allowing local researchers and organizations to conduct groundbreaking projects without the challenge of competing against more established institutions from other European countries.
This approach encourages domestic stakeholders to focus on creating initial prototypes and advancing innovative products and services while fostering local collaborations. Additionally, foreign partners can contribute as subcontractors, enriching the knowledge pool and technological expertise available for these projects.
This year’s PECS call brings an exciting focus on Space Education. Beyond developing cutting-edge technology, proposals are being encouraged to integrate educational initiatives, such as adding degree modules to existing programs and supporting doctoral research. With five fully funded PhD projects, the initiative aims to nurture Malta’s next generation of Space professionals.
Interested researchers and institutions can submit their proposals via the ESA Star registration platform.
The deadline for submissions is 1pm on 19th February 2025. More details about the criteria and application process can be found on the ESA Star platform or the Xjenza Malta website.
For any additional information, reach out to the Space Unit at Xjenza Malta by emailing [email protected].
Share this with someone who is in Malta’s Space sector