Canada’s associate membership in the European Space Agency provides a direct pipeline for domestic hardware and software developers to participate in international space engineering projects. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is now calling on domestic organizations to signal their interest in the ESA General Support Technology Program (GSTP) for the 2026-2028 cycle.
The program aims to mature space technologies and techniques, build specialized components, and develop test beds for future missions. The GSTP functions very much like the CSA’s own Space Technology Development Program (STDP), acting as an importan funding mechanism to bridge the gap between early engineering concepts and flight-ready hardware. While the domestic STDP focuses heavily on Canadian commercialization, the ESA equivalent operates on a global scale under three distinct elements known as Develop, Make, and Fly. The current survey specifically targets the Develop phase, which focuses on the early maturation of systems and engineering tools.
The current survey encompasses the core develop compendia alongside a targeted initiative for cybersecurity products designed for space systems protection. The cybersecurity initiative includes eight specific activities designed to accelerate the creation of security products that protect vulnerable space infrastructure from digital threats. Technical domains available for Canadian participation include onboard data systems, spacecraft electrical power, optoelectronics, RF payloads, and quantum-resistant cryptography. Technology development activities under this baseline receive 100 per cent funding.
This call represents a pathway for tech-focused organizations to integrate their innovations into global missions. According to the official survey details, the primary objective is to “determine Canadian space sector capabilities and interest, which will factor into the CSA’s decision-making process for selecting GSTP Develop Compendia activities that Canadian entities will be eligible to bid on in open competitive procurements.”
To participate, Canadian entities must be registered in the ESA procurement portal to access the technical documents. Companies can identify up to five specific activities of interest. The submission process requires organizations to detail the market potential of their proposed hardware or software and explain how the development project will enhance their technical expertise.
All entities submitting a survey response will receive notifications regarding which activities the CSA ultimately selects for Canadian eligibility. The deadline to submit the expression of interest is July 1, 2026.