Essay Competition 2026

Overview

As part of the inaugural Space Debate Europe (22–23 September 2026) in Madrid, the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) is pleased to invite students and young professionals to participate in its annual essay competition.

Jointly organised by the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), the European Space Agency (ESA), the Spanish Space Agency, and EURISY, in cooperation with the European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC), Space Debate Europe reflects a shared European commitment to addressing the key challenges and opportunities in space. The event aims to bring the debate closer to decision-makers and innovation hubs across Europe, while fostering the political coalitions and public support needed to strengthen and shape Europe’s growing ambitions in space.

Space Debate Europe will provide a platform to highlight the value of space for policymaking, particularly in reinforcing Europe’s global role both in space and beyond.

Essay Topics

Applicants are asked to submit a short essay in the format of a policy brief (no more than 1000 words). Submissions should answer one of the following questions:

1. How can space capabilities and services contribute to strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty?

Applicants may explore the role of satellite infrastructure, secure connectivity, Earth observation, space-based data, or emerging technologies in supporting Europe’s strategic autonomy and digital resilience. 

2. How can space technologies and applications deliver tangible societal benefits for European citizens?

Applicants are encouraged to reflect on how space can support areas such as climate action, disaster response, healthcare, mobility, education, economic development, or public services across Europe.

3. Open question

We welcome innovative proposals that do not fit within the themes above, including ideas related to governance, industrial policy, international cooperation, talent development, security, commercialisation, or other emerging priorities for Europe’s future in space.

Prizes

Two winning essays will be selected, and the winning authors will each receive:

• Access to the Inaugural Space Debate Europe (22-23 September 2026) at Palacio de Linares in Madrid, Spain.
• Travel support of up to €300 (please note: ESPI is unable to provide VISA assistance besides an invitation letter).
• One-night hotel accommodation in Madrid.
• Showcase of your essay on the ESPI website.

Up to three additional essays may be selected for special recognition by the selection committee, and will each receive a digital certificate.

Winners will be announced Mid-August 2026.

Requirements

To apply for the Essay Competition, you must be:

• A student or young professional between 18 and 35 years of age as of 23 September 2026.
• Able to independently obtain a travel visa to Spain; ESPI is unable to provide visa assistance beyond issuing an invitation letter.

The submitted essay should meet the following requirements:

• No more than 1,o00 words in length (excluding table of contents, citations, and bibliography).
• Provide actionable policy recommendations (don’t hesitate to take inspiration from ESPI’s Policy Briefs).
• Submitted as a Word document formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Maintain a consistent style of citations.
• No AI-generated essays will be accepted.
• Essays should be submitted as Word documents formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font with file name styling as: “SURNAME_NAME_Essay”.
• CVs should be submitted as PDF documents with file name styling as: “SURNAME_NAME_CV”.

Deadline to submit is 15 July 2026 at 23:59 CEST

Submit Your Essay

Please Submit Your Response Below:

Contact & Other Information

For any questions or requests related to the Essay Competition, please contact ESPI Education Officer Gillian Chin at <gillian.chin@espi.eu>.