ESA’s annual flagship event, Space for Inspiration 2026, will take place in Copenhagen on 1–2 September 2026, bringing together industry, researchers, investors and institutional stakeholders from across Europe and beyond. The conference focuses on how space-enabled technologies are advancing research, development and production in orbit and beyond, and provides a platform to share knowledge, build partnerships and explore pathways from demonstration to scale.

As part of this year’s edition, ESA is launching the Academic Challenge, inviting universities, research institutes and academic teams to submit innovative research concepts with strong long-term potential for in-orbit markets and the lunar space resources value chain.

The Challenge supports participants in moving their research closer to real-world application through pitch preparation, increased visibility and tailored follow-on support. Shortlisted teams will receive dedicated guidance to refine and present their ideas, while winning projects will gain access to technical and commercial support to help advance their concepts beyond the research stage.

The call is open to academic teams led by PhD-level researchers or above and is structured across three tracks: Health & Life Sciences, Advanced Materials & In-Space Manufacturing, and Space Resources – Construction Applications.

• Conference: 1–2 September 2026

• Submission deadline (Academic Challenge): 5 June 2026

An online webinar introducing the tracks and application process will take place on 12 May 2026.

Read more about the Acememic Challange at Space for Inspiration here