Disruptive Innovation and Commercialisation in Earth Observation Training Course is now open for applications
Be among the participants in the first edition of the Disruptive Innovation and Commercialisation in Earth Observation Training Course! This new programme will take place at the ESA Education Training Centre in ESEC-Galaxia from 8 to 11 December 2025. Climb on board to explore this rapidly growing topic in the space sector!

Ready to turn bold ideas into real impact? Be part of the first-ever ESA Academy training course on Disruptive Innovation and Commercialisation in Earth Observation (EO), where cutting-edge tech meets entrepreneurial thinking! From basic business and coding principles to Foundation Models, you'll dive into the latest trends across the full Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) scale. Whether you're an engineer ready to launch a business, or a business mind curious to harness deep tech, this course blends theory and hands-on experience to bridge both worlds.

Designed for university students with an engineering, science or business background, this course will introduce participants with practical tools to analyse EO images using artificial intelligence. Working in teams, students will brainstorm and prototype innovative applications in the sector, 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, ultimately presenting their business plan to domain experts—combining creativity, strategy, and real-world impact.

ESA, with its pivotal programmes in EO as the Sentinel missions and Copernicus services, stands at the heart of the Earth Observation domain. Its priorities include climate action, disaster response, and sustainable development. During the course you'll meet and work with ESA experts and top investment specialists, and pitch your ideas directly to the ESA Φ-lab. Top it off with exclusive insights into opportunities to join the Φ-lab's dynamic Explore and Invest teams.
Taught by ESA Φ-lab experts, the programme fosters interactive learning. Promoting dialogue both among participants and with the trainers, it alternates between lectures, group project and hands-on activities.
Apply for this unique opportunity to deepen your expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Disruptive Innovation and Commercialisation in Earth Observation.
Preliminary schedule
Day 1 |
Welcome remarks Φ-lab introduction Disruptive technologies and applications by 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 Group project: from innovation to business development |
Day 3 |
Visit of ESEC-Redu Strategic investment in EO: vision from Europe AI4EO research applications and domains Group project |
Day 4 |
Group project presentation Opportunities with Φ-lab 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, an ESA Associate Member (Latvia, Lithuania, or Slovakia), or Canada*;
- 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.
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?
- Fill in the application form;
- 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).
*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.
The deadline for applications is 14 September 2025 23:59 CEST.
For more information, please contact academy.training@esa.int.