As part of its annual Autumn Conference, the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) invites students and young professionals to participate in its annual Essay Competition. This year’s Autumn Conference will convene on 29 October 2025 and, alongside the Essay Competition, will convene under the theme: “Europe as a Space Power – Directionality & Priorities of Strategic Action.”
To apply for the Essay Competition, you must be:
The submitted essay should meet the following requirements:
Deadline to submit is 10 August 2025 at 23:59 CEST
Space has increasingly become an enabler across policy domains and economic sectors, and thus a tool of international power projection. With war on Europe’s doorstep, profound geopolitical shifts, and a widening competitiveness gap with other global actors, Europe’s position in space—as a strong actor and trusted partner—is under growing strain.
Despite a solid industrial and scientific foundation, Europe still lacks the political will that matches the scale of its economic power and talent to assert itself as a full-fledged space power. In this context, the 19th ESPI Autumn Conference will address the topic of “Europe as a Space Power – Directionality & Priorities of Strategic Action.”
All submitted essays should address one of the following thematic areas, chosen in alignment with the focus of the 19. ESPI Autumn Conference:
1. Human Exploration Capabilities
Europe does not, as yet possess hard (technical) autonomy across the entire spectrum of space activities, most notably in human access to space and crewed operations. What specific policies and investments should Europe implement to achieve greater technical and operational autonomy in human spaceflight, in order to reach space power status?
2. Supply Chain Autonomy
While Europe possesses the broad majority of processes and industrial capabilities needed to develop space programmes, European stakeholders still need to externally source many components, materials, technologies and building blocks that are not available within European boundaries. What initiatives can European policy makers take to achieve security of supply and supply chain security?
3. Use of Space for Diplomacy and Security
Compared to major space powers, Europe falls short on key indicators, such as the use of space for military and security applications or the use of space for diplomatic purposes, negatively impacting Europe’s overall capability to develop the full benefits of space and its space power performance. What institutional, strategic, and policy tools can the EU and its Member States use to strengthen Europe’s military, security, and diplomatic uses of space and improve its overall space power posture?
4. Competitive Advantages of the European Way
Europe is often compared to either the U.S. or China when it comes to what it is lacking to become a full-fledged space power. However, maybe a third European way to become a space power is possible. The author is invited to explore the advantages that the European system might offer and how they could be leveraged. What policy measures can be adopted to identify, strengthen, and promote Europe’s unique institutional, industrial and regulatory approaches to space activities as a competitive advantage in the global space arena?
5. Cultural Representation
In most cultural representations of space powers, the US are the main protagonist. What cultural and media policies should be developed to support the European creative sector in producing and disseminating space-related content that elevates the visibility and narrative of European space achievements globally?
6. Open Topic
If you have an idea of policies that could support Europe’s establishment as a full-fledged Space Power that do not fit in the previous categories, we will be happy to learn more about it as a submission in the free topic category!
Two winning essays will be selected, and the winning authors will each receive:
Up to three additional essays may be selected for special recognition by the selection committee, and will each receive a certificate.
Winners will be announced mid-September 2025.
Please Submit Your Response Below:
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For any questions or requests related to the Essay Competition, please contact ESPI Research Fellow Elizaveta Shashkova at <elizaveta.shashkova@espi.or.at>.
For questions related to the ESPI Autumn Conference, please contact ESPI Events & Engagement Officer Luis Cortes Kollert at <luis.cortes-kollert@espi.or.at>.
