More SME space projects submitted for Commission funding
The European Space Agency (ESA) has chosen a further 20 projects from the LOSTESC (leveraging on space technologies to enhance SME competitiveness) programme to be submitted to the European Commission for funding. The LOSTESC programme aims to promote the technological skills of innovative European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and to help them create new business opportunities at European and global level. The programme is co-funded by the European Commission under the CRAFT programme, ESA and six business consultancy companies. Three projects have already been submitted to the Commission, bringing the total of selected projects up to 23. The selected projects are distributed between the six LOSTESC countries as follows: - Austria - 2 projects - Belgium - 4 projects - France - 6 projects - Italy - 6 projects - Portugal - 2 projects - Spain - 3 projects Each of the projects will be carried out by a consortium of SMEs from the LOSTESC countries, although SMEs from EU Member States and associated states may also participate. Partners for most projects have now been found, although participation is still possible for those SMEs interested in taking part in the initiative. Information can be obtained from the site of the CRAFT programme at the reference below.