Technologies and satellite systems developed by the space industry help our everyday lives on Earth. Satellite systems contribute to many well-known areas, such as communication, navigation and search and rescue. Nevertheless, space technologies can also serve other innovative purposes, for example improvements in healthcare, multimodal transportation, water recovery, waste management, sports, risk management and many other downstream applications. The commercialisation of space technologies and their applications needs people with creative flair, vision and business acumen, skills this workshop aims to develop.

Delivered by ESA specialists and external experts from start-ups and industry, the workshop will expose participants to the near-infinite possibilities of technology transfer and application and their essential role in innovation. There are many challenging opportunities for entrepreneurs willing to develop new products and services.

During the workshop, participating students will learn about different disciplines within the field of technology transfer, technology application and innovation, including patenting, entrepreneurship and business incubation.

This course goes beyond theory by incorporating a hands-on experience. Students will work in teams to explore real ESA patents, brainstorm innovative application ideas, and build a business model around them. By the end of the week, they will step into the role of actual entrepreneurs and pitch their concepts.

This training course is aimed at Bachelor's students (at least in their third year), Master's students (i.e., MSc or equivalent), and PhD students studying any field with a background in business, engineering, science, sociology or industrial design.

Participants will work in teams to develop an idea that incorporates the technologies and methods covered during the training. At the end of the training session, students will be assessed based on their team project and will receive a certificate of participation along with a course transcript. These documents may be used to request ECTS credit(s) from their respective universities.

To participate, students must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• be at least 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 national of an ESA Member State, Canada* or Associate Member;
• be enrolled as a Bachelor (at least 3^rd year), Master (i.e., MSc or equivalent) or PhD in a university for the academic years 2026-2027.
• be studying any relevant subject: Business, Engineering, Science, Sociology or Industrial design, etc.

Selected students will be expected to attend the entire five-day workshop at ESEC. They will be sponsored by ESA to cover accommodation and meals, as well as up to 350 Euros for travelling to Belgium.

* 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. 

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.

• Apply through ESA Learn, the ESA Education and Community Platform;
• Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images);
• Upload a CV (Europass format, PDF, maximum 2 pages);
• Upload a formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, including signature, no images) from a university professor or academic supervisor of the 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 Transcript of Grades from the two previous semesters, or from the previous graded academic year if not available (PDF). May be submitted in the university's language if an English version is unavailable.

All answers and documents must be in English, except the Transcript of Grades.

Application deadline: 8 November 2026, 23:55 CEST
Selection announcement: 23 November 2026
Course dates: 18-22 January 2027

• Participants will stay at the Mercure hotel in Han-sur-Lesse.
• The hotel will be provided and paid for by ESA.
• Students will be assigned shared rooms with participants of the same gender.

Arrival:

• Students are expected to arrive at Mercure hotel in Han-sur-Lesse on Sunday, 17 January 2027.

Departure:

• Friday, 22 January 2027 after 15:00 CET (from Rochefort-Jemelle train station)

Important:

• Selected students are required to attend the entire workshop from start to finish.

A bus service will be provided and paid for by ESA for participants:

• Morning: Hotel → ESA ESEC-Galaxia
• Evening: ESA ESEC-Galaxia → Hotel