the leading innovation competition for Earth observation

The Competition

COVID19 …

… Copernicus can support the fight against this pandemic and we encourage you to take this health crisis into account when submitting your innovation. Please also check the current Partner Challenges for specific coronavirus topics. Stay healthy.

WHAT …

… is the Copernicus Masters? It’s an international innovation competition to foster the User Uptake of Copernicus applications. Every year, the best solutions using Earth observation data are awarded fantastic prizes. In 2020, the prize pool is worth EUR 620,000.

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WHO …

… is eligible to participate? All innovators worldwide such as companies, startups, students, research associates, non-university research & development institutions, and consortia, as well as individuals and teams (minimum age of 18 years).

WHY …

… are we looking for you? We are calling on great minds like you to submit an innovation that uses Earth observation data to tackle global challenges such as COVID-19, agriculture, climate change, and disaster management as well as issues in the fields of machine learning, IoT, and big data analytics – to name just a few. Take a look at all the challenges and prizes!

… are we looking for you? We are calling on great minds like you to submit an innovation that uses Earth observation data to tackle global challenges. Take a look at all the challenges and prizes!

WHEN …

… are you able to participate?
Registrations & submissions: until 6 July, Evaluation: July – September, Announcements of challenge finalists: October & November, Awards Ceremony: estimated, December 2020.

WHERE …

… do you submit your innovation? Use the “Apply” page or button during the submission phase. Take a look at the Partner Challenges and Copernicus Prizes first, which you then select in the database. (Submissions are currently closed!)

HOW …

… do we support you? All our space partners and a huge Earth observation network of supporters offer their resources to help your innovation to breakthrough.

Key Facts

EUR 620,000

Prize Pool

9 Challenges

from 7 Challenge Partners

13 Copernicus Prizes

> 100

International Experts

40

Global Partners

Copernicus Masters Opportunities 2020

To double your chances of winning, you have the opportunity to apply for a Partner Challenge and a Copernicus Prize in our secure database. The Copernicus Masters Partner Challenges focus on a specific topic and are offered by our premium partners with great cash and in-kind prizes to boost your innovation development. The Copernicus Prizes co-financed by the EC do not follow a specific topic. They are mainly presented by a region, country or institution that also offers cash and direct support to boost your business development.

Take a look now!

Partner Challenges

Our 2020 challenges offer great opportunities to solve important problems faced by business and society together with our world-class partners. From smart farming to sustainable finance, there is a challenge for everyone!

The following challenges were available from 1 April until 6 July 2020:

Copernicus Masters ESA Challenge

ESA Digital Twin Earth (DTE) Challenge

ESA seeks to stimulate applications which combine AI and Big Data from Copernicus Sentinels and EO data to provide forecasting on the impact of climate change and responding to societal challenges.

Copernicus Masters DLR Challenge

DLR Environment, Energy & Health Challenge

DLR is looking for innovative solutions that use Earth observation (EO) data to support sustainable management of our limited natural resources and foster human well-being.

Copernicus Masters Planet Challenge 2020

Planet "See Change, Change the World" Challenge

Planet is looking for new ways to help solve climate and environmental challenges through the use of daily satellite imagery, tools and analytics.

Copernicus Masters BayWa Challenge

BayWa Smart Farming Challenge

BayWa is looking for innovative solutions that use new technologies, ideas and products to support sustainable agriculture and horticulture.

AIRBUS & sobloo Challenge

Airbus sobloo Multi-Data Challenge

Airbus Defence and Space together with sobloo are looking for solutions that use both Copernicus and Airbus EO data to deliver new services and/or applications that provide insight and have impact on areas like Natural Resources Consumption, Agriculture, Forestry, Maritime, Defence & Security and Smart Cities.

German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure

BMVI Digital Transport Challenge

BMVI is looking for solutions that use Copernicus data to solve major challenges faced by transport systems today.

Copernicus Masters EC Challenge 2020

EC EU Space data for new Business Applications Challenge

The EC EU Space data for new Business Applications Challenge is looking for solutions that have the potential to stimulate new commercial incentives in “established” markets and open up business opportunities to startups.

Copernicus Masters EC Challenge 2020

EC EU Space data for „Blue Economy“ Challenge

The EC EU Space data for “Blue Economy” Challenge is looking for solutions that have the potential to stimulate new markets and to contribute to environmental protection related to the so-called “Blue Economy”.

University Challenge

University Challenge

The University Challenge is looking for students and research associates to compete for the chance to transform their bright ideas into successful commercial ventures.

Copernicus prizes powered by The European Commission (EC)

Discover the Copernicus Prizes awarded in cooperation with various regional or country partners!

Click on the countries on the map to view the Copernicus Prize Partners in each country.
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CopMa Timeline 2021

Prize Pool

Participants have the chance to win great prizes in 2020.

Icon Prize Money

CASH PRIZES

Icon Handle with Care

Business Incubation

Icon Training

Business Coaching

Icon Computer Support

Technical Support

Icon Chemsitry

Access to Testing Facilities

Icon Robotic Arm

Prototype Development

Icon Megaphone

Publicity

Icon Heart

Marketing Support

Icon Light Bulb

Access to Experts

Icon Money

Access to public funding

Testimonials

“[...] the Galileo Masters and the Copernicus Masters are a proven platform for trendsetting technologies and business models based on Galileo and Copernicus to implement the new EU Space Strategy.”
Elzbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
"Having my idea scrutinised by the Copernicus Masters expert jury was very valuable. It not only help to precisely define the business concept, but also encouraged me to start a business."
Dr Mark Matthews, founder of CyanoLakes (Pty) Ltd.
"The Copernicus Masters is a unique opportunity to present your project to the international Earth-observation community, engage with experts, and make some valuable new contacts."
Paul Indinger, Managing Director of Building Radar GmbH
"The Copernicus Masters has proven to be the breeding ground for many successful business concepts and societal benefits.”
Dr Thomas Beer, Copernicus Policy Coordinator, European Space Agency (ESA)
"The Copernicus Masters is an excellent way to promote the Copernicus concept and foster the innovative use of data to meet the challenges of global change while benefitting the environment and mankind."
Dr Hubert Reile, Programme Director Space Research and Technology, German Aerospace Center (DLR)
“The Copernicus Masters is the innovative driver for future-oriented applications and business concepts using Earth observation data. This creates socio-economic benefits through public services all over Europe. Besides, it supports business ventures and high-tech jobs in Europe’s digital economy,”
Josef Aschbacher, Director of ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes

About Copernicus

Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS are at the heart of the EU Space programmes. All three programmes help tackle today’s most pressing societal and economic challenges. Hence, the Copernicus Masters also promotes synergies with Galileo and EGNOS for the creation of new applications and services. The European Commission’s Challenges within the Copernicus Masters explicitly focus on solutions using EU Space data in all domains. The pre-existing close collaboration between Europe’s leading space innovation competitions for Copernicus and Galileo – the Copernicus Masters and the Galileo Masters – is therefore beneficial for society and all citizens.

Contact

Just get in touch with us! We are happy to help you with any questions and queries.

Save the Date

Submission starts 19 April 2021!

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