Call for Proposals – Space Innovation Initiative

Theme: Remote Sensing and Earth Observation (EO) solutions for Service delivery, Industrial modernisation in Mining, Agriculture and Energy sustainability, Infrastructure and spatial planning, Water and Food security, Health sustainability and Disaster Management.

 

PURPOSE OF THE CALL

The rapid advancement in Space technologies, rapid urbanisation and climate change have increased the need for Earth Observation (EO) in supporting evidence driven sustainable decision making at a global scale. Earth Observation driven by advanced technological innovations produces critical satellite data and a myriad of precision monitoring solutions that are critical in transforming industries and addressing societal needs globally. From environmental monitoring, safeguarding food, and water security needs, tackling growing demand on natural resources, mapping spatial planning, and safeguarding national security and sovereignty; EO has proven to be an essential resource in driving sustainable development in Africa and globally.

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), Space Infrastructure Hub (SIH) and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) invite suitable submissions for funding applications for the Space Innovation Initiative Call for Proposal. The mandate of the SIH is to grow Space Science capabilities and infrastructure for sustainable development and growth of the South African Space Economy. The Space Innovation Initiative call for proposal aim is to strengthen the local capabilities in Space Science and Technology, through supporting the development and commercialization of sovereign Space innovations to create products and services that will benefit South Africa. The solutions supported in this call for proposal are expected to advance the SIH mandate. The Call for Proposal further aligns with National imperatives which are set out in the DSTI led STI Decadal Plan 2022-2032 by supporting industrial modernization through specific, technology-driven interventions using Space science technologies and Earth Observation (EO) data.

CALL SPECIFICATIONS

The technological focus areas identified by this call are Remote Sensing and Earth Observation solutions. Remote Sensing and Earth Observation (EO) solutions that provides evidence driven support in National Service delivery, Industrial modernisation in Mining, Agriculture and Energy sustainability, Infrastructure and Spatial planning, Water and Food security, Health sustainability and Disaster Management. The proposals will be selected based on alignment to impactful advancement of decision-making support in government service provision and industry modernisation to promote progressive transfer, adoption and commercialisation of EO-based decision support tools to achieve sustainable development at local, national and global scale.

The solutions identified should have high socioeconomic impact and be commercially viable with strong alignment to the mandates of TIA, the Space Infrastructure Hub (SIH), the SANSA, the DSTI Decadal Plan and the Space Innovation Initiative.

The Space Innovation Initiative prioritizes growing the participation of black owned and women owned small and medium enterprises that will contribute toward the transformation of the South African Space Economy. Applications are invited from any recognized South African Legal Entity, including Startup Enterprises, Small, Micro and Medium enterprises (SMME), Science Councils, Universities including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

ASSESMENT CRITERIA

  • Alignment with the strategic thematic priorities outlined in the DSTI Decadal Plan, the Space Infrastructure Hub investment, and the SANSA Mandate.
  • Capability to execute the project and commercialize the innovation.
  • Understanding of the value proposition, market opportunity, and socio-economic impact.
  • Novelty of the proposed innovation or Localisation of core/ key technologies.
  • Co-funding contributions and industry partnerships will provide an added advantage.
  • Priority will be applied to grow transformation by supporting Women, Youth and Black Owned enterprises, Persons with disabilities and persons from underserved provinces.

COMPULSORY REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY

  • The proposed technology must be directly aligned to the industries as described above.
  • The proposals must demonstrate a feasible sustainable business case with socioeconomic impact.
  • The technology must be a proven prototype / Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher.
  • Proposals with foreign owned Intellectual Property (IP) must provide proof of licensing agreements to assign the IP to the applicant.
  • Primary technology development activities must be operated in South Africa in accordance with the TIA Act and the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Act.
  • Applicants must register and attend a compulsory briefing at their respective provincial sessions.
  • Companies must be registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CPIC) and the National Treasury’s Central Supplier Database (CSD).

TIMELINES

Full applications must be submitted by Friday, 31 August 2026 at 17:00; late applications will not be considered.

Applications must be submitted through the TIA funding portal: https://funding.tia.org.za/gateway

Compulsory briefing session dates will be communicated directly to applicants by province.

Further enquiries regarding the Call for Proposals must be directed to spaceinnovations@tia.org.za

Individuals attending the compulsory briefing session must RSVP by completing the RSVP form: https://www.tia.org.za/space-call-rsvp/