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Earth Observation

14 October 2015

(From ec.europa.eu)

Call summary

Scene Setter

Horizon 2020 Earth observation (EO) activities are considered an essential element to accompany the investments made by the Union in Copernicus, the Union Earth observation and monitoring programme. Through Copernicus and Earth Observation activities in the Horizon 2020 the European Union also contributes to advancing the Global Earth Observation Systems of Systems (GEOSS).

In particular, activities under the societal challenge for climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials focus on GEOSS, notably the development of comprehensive and sustained global environmental observation and information systems that stimulate the smart use of strategic resources, support the development of evidence-based policies, foster new environmental and climate services, and develop new opportunities in global markets. Activities under the Leadership in Industrial Technologies part focus on the evolution of Copernicus and the exploitation of existing European space infrastructure by promoting the development of innovative products and services based on remote sensing, geo-positioning or other types of satellite enabled data as well as geo-information generated already by services such as Copernicus services.

Moreover, taking into account the wider relevance of EO to all parts of Horizon 2020, proposals addressing application and uptake of EO for the development of innovative applications addressing specific challenges can also be submitted to the Horizon 2020 Societal Challenges where related references are included. To that end, applicants to those parts of Horizon 2020 can also access Copernicus data and information (licensing conditions may apply)[[Access to Copernicus Sentinel data and service information is provided to users on a free, full and open basis. For other satellites data, the DataWareHouse document 2.0 is available at http://www.copernicus.eu/main/library/technical-documents/ and licensing details can be consulted at http://gmesdata.esa.int/web/gsc/dap_document as well as http://gmesdata.esa.int/web/gsc/terms_and_conditions.]].

To facilitate access to opportunities for applicants, the following list includes dedicated Earth observation activities in calls in other work programme parts, in addition to those in this call:

  • Blue Growth – demonstrating an ocean of opportunities (H2020-BG-2016-2017):
    • BG-9-2016: An integrated Arctic observing system
    • BG-12-2016: Towards an integrated Mediterranean Sea Observing System

    .

  • Sustainable Food Security – resilient agri-food chains (H2020-SFS-2016-2017):
    • SFS-43-2017: Earth Observation services for the monitoring of agricultural production in Africa

    .

  • Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials - Earth Observation (H2020-SC5-2016-2017):
    • SC5-18-2017 - Novel in-situ observation systems
    • SC5-19-2017 - Coordination of citizens' observatories initiatives
    • SC5-20-2016 - European data hub of the GEOSS information system

    .

  • Earth Observation (H2020-EO-2016 and H2020-EO-2017)
    • EO-1-2016 and EO-1-2017: Downstream applications
    • EO-2-2016: Downstream applications for public sector users
    • EO-3-2016: Evolution of Copernicus services
    • EO-2-2017: EO Big Data Shift

    .

  • Competitiveness of the European Space Sector: Technology and Science (H2020-COMPET-2017)
    • COMPET-2-2017: Competitiveness in Earth observation mission technologies

    .

  • SME Instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017), although not dedicated uniquely to Earth Observation, is particularly well suited for SMEs addressing space based applications
    • SMEInst-04-2016-2017: Engaging SMEs in space research and development
    • SMEInst-12-2016-2017: Boosting the potential of small businesses in the areas and priorities of Societal Challenge 5

    .