Apply for the Disruptive Innovation and Commercialisation in Earth Observation Training Course

ESA, with its pivotal programmes in Earth observation (EO), such as the Sentinel missions and Copernicus services, stands at the heart of the Earth observation domain. To make EO data more effective and useful, ESA is actively investigating innovative applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI). ESA’s ɸ-sat missions pioneered onboard AI for Earth observation, enabling applications such as filtering cloud-free images and in-orbit image analysis with an AI processor. Such capabilities are expected to play a crucial role in ESA priorities, including climate action, disaster response, environmental protection, and more.

Building on this, ESA’s Disruptive Innovation and Commercialisation in Earth Observation Training Course integrates AI tools, cutting-edge technology, and entrepreneurial thinking through interactive lessons with experts and hands-on activities.

Training course description

Designed for university students with an engineering, science, or business background, this course provides practical tools to analyse Earth observation images using AI, alongside commercialisation strategies needed to transform innovative ideas into viable ventures. From basic business and coding principles to Foundation Models, lessons will cover the latest trends across the full Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) scale.

The programme fosters interactive learning, and participants will meet and work with ESA experts and top investment specialists. Promoting dialogue both among students and with trainers, the course alternates between lectures, group projects and hands-on activities.

Working in teams, students will brainstorm and prototype innovative Earth observation applications, with the goal of transforming their ideas into viable commercial ventures. Throughout the week, participants will explore both the technical and business dimensions of launching such a project, combining creativity, strategy, and real-world impact.

The course culminates in the presentation of a business plan to domain experts. Students will pitch their ideas directly to the ESA Φ-lab experts and gain exclusive insights into opportunities to join the Φ-lab's dynamic Explore and Invest teams.

This training is a unique opportunity to deepen your expertise in AI, innovation and commercialisation in Earth observation, and to take the first steps toward transforming bold ideas into real-world solutions.

Preliminary schedule

Day 1	Welcome remarks Φ-lab introduction Introduction to EO, Applications and Advanced Technologies Meet the ESA Φ-lab Fellows Group project: develop your innovative EO project
Day 2	EO from research to business EO from theory to practice Group project: business model canvas AI4EO teams challenge
Day 3	Strategic investment in EO: vision from Europe Meet Companies Opportunities with ESA Φ-lab Group project
Day 4	Group project presentation Closing remarks

Who can apply?

To participate, students must fulfil the following criteria at the time of application:  

• aged minimum 18 years old. ESA Academy and relevant partners will only appraise applications from students who have no - or limited - professional experience in relevant engineering or space-related topics;
• be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Canada* or Associate Member;
• be studying for a degree in engineering, science, business, or Earth observation-related topic, at Master’s or PhD level;
• be enrolled as a university student for the academic year 2025-2026 or 2026-2027.

*Canadian students enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution may apply for additional support from the Canadian Space Agency through this Announcement of Opportunity (grant applications must be submitted at least 7 weeks before the event start date – create an account as soon as possible!). This additional support is to cover costs that are not already covered by ESA for selected Canadian post-secondary students.

Selected students will be required to attend the entire 4-day training. They will be sponsored by ESA to cover accommodation, meals as well as up to 350 Euros for travelling to Belgium.

ESA is committed to achieving diversity and creating an inclusive professional environment. To this end, we welcome proposals and applications from all eligible candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. The ESA Academy strongly encourages inclusiveness within its programmes and within participating teams, which contributes to the enrichment of our programme.

Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support, either digitally or at the location of the training. In case of any questions or specific needs, please reach out to academy.training@esa.int to get assistance or advice during the application process.

How to apply?

• Apply through ESA Learn, the ESA Education and Community Platform;
• Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images);
• Upload a CV (PDF, in Europass format, maximum 2 pages, no images);
• Upload a formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, including signature, no images) from a university professor or academic supervisor of current university (if it is not possible to receive the recommendation letter from your referee, please ask them to send a recommendation email to academy.training@esa.int before the application deadline);
• Upload a copy of your Transcript of Grades from the two previous semesters, or, if not available, the previous graded academic year (PDF).

All answers and documents should be in English (Transcript of Grades can be submitted in language of hosting university, if unavailable in English).

The deadline for applications is 19 April 2026 23:55 CEST.

The selection announcement will be on 11 May 2026.

For more information, please contact academy.training@esa.int.