Copernicus Masters 2022 Open For Submissions

For the 12th time, the Copernicus Masters 2022 is opening its submissions to award innovative solutions that use Copernicus Earth observation (EO) and other space data. The competition partners, with global players from institutions, research and industry, are awarding dedicated challenges and prizes. The common goal of the Copernicus Masters and its partners is to foster European space solutions and the use of EO data to tackle everyday challenges as well as to contribute to the European Green Deal. From 11 April to 11 July, innovators in all stages of their careers are invited to join the competition and submit their solution online.

Promoting Earth Observation Innovation in Europe

The global innovation competition for Earth observation (EO) – is in search of outstanding applications, solutions, and services from future-oriented SMEs, startups, universities and individuals in the fields of business, research, and higher education that tackle important challenges faced by business and society by utilising Copernicus EO data.

About Copernicus

Copernicus is the European Union’s Earth observation programme, which looks at our planet and its environment for the ultimate benefit of all European citizens. Contributing towards the sustainable management of the environment, Copernicus services deliver free, near-real-time data at a global level. The demand for such EO data is exploding, especially since innovative solutions for today’s challenges, such as climate change, food security or water supply, are crucial.

The Copernicus Masters Competition

The Copernicus Masters has been striving to meet these needs since 2011 by highlighting innovative approaches that use Earth observation data. From 11 April to 11 July, participants can submit their innovative EO application or service to seven challenges offered by the following partners: European Space Agency (ESA), the German Space Agency at DLR, BayWa, UP42 with Airbus, the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) and Portugal Space (Portuguese Space Agency). The winning teams of each challenge will gain rewards ranging from cash or direct access and commercial EO data to expert support and incubation for their business. At the same time, they have the possibility of entering a variety of regional prizes offered by a global network of prize partners.

“With the Copernicus Masters, ESA successfully established a globally recognised innovation competition that supports the next digital generation of new business ideas using EO data beyond Europe’s borders with an international partner network,” states Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation Programmes & Head of ESRIN, European Space Agency. ESA is an initiating partner of the Copernicus Masters and has set a challenge every year since 2011.

“I’m excited to reach the next level of EO innovation and see where it can lead us, with the help of our prestigious winners of the Copernicus Masters 2022,” adds Thorsten Rudolph, Managing Director of AZO, the competition organiser.

Partner and Regional Challenges

Participants can demonstrate their innovative use of EO data across a wide variety of challenge topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cloud computing, data analytics, health, smart farming, maritime and digital transportation – to name just a few.

Several competition partners, with global players from institutions, research and industry, are awarding dedicated challenges and prizes. With ESA, the German space association DLR, Portuguese space association Portugal Space, and Airbus as challenge owners (to just name a few), there’s an inspiring challenge for everyone.

You start by picking one of these Challenges. Additionally, you can choose a Regional Prize that best supports your business case, even if it is not your country of residence. This doubles the chance of winning, as the regional prizes themselves also award prizes, even if you don’t win the challenge.

Who offers the Regional Prizes? Think of local organisations such as national space agencies, ministries, space clusters, universities, economic development agencies and incubators.

Regional Prize the Netherlands

The organisers of the regional prize for The Netherlands are SBIC Noordwijk and the Netherlands Space Office (NSO). The Netherlands is one of 16 regions to support a local incentive. The involvement of SBIC Noordwijk and NSO in the local ESA BIC programme for space related businesses is a big plus for participants of the Copernicus Masters. Winners of the Regional Prize the Netherlands get:

• entrance to the pre-incubation trajectory of ESA BIC, the Ignition Programme (worth 6,500 euro)
• 3 months of free office space at SBIC, where the Dutch ESA BIC startups are located
• Runner-up gets 3 months community membership, which means access to our space business network

Prizes and more…

Together with cash prizes, the challenge and prize winners will receive access to an international ecosystem of leading Earth observation organisations, substantial satellite data quotas, and individual business development support worth more than 500,000 euro. The Overall Winner will receive an additional cash prize of 10,000 euro.

Apply before 11 July 2022

To join the Copernicus Masters 2022, participants need to apply by 11 July at https://copernicus-masters.awardsplatform.com/