Releasing the potential of EGNSS applications through international cooperation

Specific challenge: Although Galileo is a European programme, it has a strong international dimension. International cooperation in the field of Galileo-enabled applications is therefore an essential element facilitating its breakthrough to new and emerging markets and strengthening Europe's position as a major space player.

Scope: Activities under this topic will enable the development of innovative applications within international context and related standards with high international impact, ensuring that the EGNSS services are well known and can be used throughout the world. The objective is to support new proposals consisting of demonstrators of applications, adaptations of applications to a specific and local context outside of the European Union and the implementation of applications benefiting from multiple constellations, including Galileo. GNSS should be used as the primary positioning technology in the application and positioning should be a key enabler of the application. Third countries will be guided and supported in adapting services and developing applications corresponding to local needs and ensure that no unnecessary restriction to the use of the EGNSS is applied. Focus will be on regions of the world, which represent an attractive market for the European industry.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 0.5 and 1.5 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact: Proposals are expected to foster application development through international cooperation and create a broad acceptance of EGNSS in non-European countries. The consortium should aim to transform the research results into innovation in third countries, through the networking of relevant technology developers with local academia, incubators, SMEs, representatives from civil society as well as local authorities, notably for the provision of public services, best practices and technology through the establishment of self-sustainable partnerships and collaborative initiatives.

Release of practical tools to the GNSS developer community, ideally with free open source license, is of particular interest.

Type of action: Innovation Actions