European Space Agency Post-graduate Research Grant Programme 2026

The European Space Agency Post-graduate Research Grant Programme supports original research on the history of the European Space Agency (ESA) and its predecessor organisations. The grants are funded by ESA and administered by the European University Institute through the Historical Archives of the European Union in Florence, Italy.

This programme is designed for postgraduate students and early career academics working in history and related social sciences and humanities. It is intended for applicants whose projects make substantial use of the archival collections held at the Historical Archives of the European Union. The research is expected to contribute to an academic publication and should ideally connect with the applicant's broader research agenda.

According to the referenced posting, the programme awards two grants of EUR 5,000 each year. The funding is paid in two instalments: an initial amount at the start of the research period and a second amount after publication of the research results. This makes the scheme best understood as a partial research grant rather than a full degree scholarship.

Eligible applicants include current master's and doctoral candidates, as well as postdoctoral researchers or university teachers who have completed a master's degree or doctorate. Applicants must be nationals of, or affiliated with an academic institution in, ESA Member, Associate, or Cooperating States.

The grant is hosted in Italy, specifically in Florence at the European University Institute's archival facilities. Interested candidates should look for the annual call issued through the relevant ESA or European University Institute research-grant channels and prepare a strong research proposal showing clear archival relevance, academic merit, and publication potential.