--- title: "French space safety SME seeks German AI/ML partner in Germany; under 96-week French-German ZIM call" sdDatePublished: "2026-08-25T14:17:00Z" source: "https://een.ec.europa.eu/partnering-opportunities/french-space-technology-sme-seeks-german-partner-specialized-artificial" topics: - name: "artificial intelligence" identifier: "medtop:20001298" - name: "scientific research" identifier: "medtop:20000735" - name: "space exploration" identifier: "medtop:20000739" - name: "satellite technology" identifier: "medtop:20000228" - name: "international trade" identifier: "medtop:20000373" locations: - "Germany" - "France" --- French space safety SME seeks German AI/ML partner in Germany; under 96-week French-German ZIM call User account menu Term of Validity: 25 August 2026 - 25 August 2027 Deadline for EoI: 18 Oct 2026 Deadline of the call: 18 Nov 2026 Summary - Profile Type - Research & Development Request - POD Reference - RDRFR20260825023 - Term of Validity - 25 August 2026 - 25 August 2027 - Company's Country - France - Type of partnership - Research and development cooperation agreement - Targeted Countries - Germany General information - Short Summary - Under the Bpifrance ZIM bilateral call, a French space safety SME seeks a German SME or research partner specialized in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The global project objective is to develop accurate sensing combined with advanced modeling techniques to improve the characterization of the orbital environment. Within this framework, the sought partner will specifically apply AI expertise to build predictive models to analyze and understand space object behavior. - Full Description - Space safety has become a critical challenge due to the exponential increase of active satellites and space debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). To address this, a French SME specializing in space situational awareness is currently deploying a global network of advanced space surveillance radars, as well as the digital infrastructure required to build a real-time picture of space events. The main objective of this collaborative project is to improve the capability of the company's digital infrastructure to understand the behaviors of space objects. This will be achieved through the integration of advanced modeling techniques combined with artificial intelligence (AI). Within this framework, the sought German partner will focus on bringing its specialized expertise to the development of innovative AI algorithms to enhance overall knowledge of the orbital environment. The project is prepared under the framework conditions of the bilateral French-German joint R&D call (Bpifrance ZIM). The collaborative project has a planned duration of 24 months (96 weeks), with an expression of interest and proposal submission deadline in November 2026. - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought - The sought partner should be an innovative company (SME) or a research organization with strong, proven expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Specifically, the partner is expected to bring know-how in: • Algorithm Development: Designing and training advanced machine learning algorithms (such as deep learning, neural networks, or pattern recognition) capable of processing and analyzing large, noisy, or complex physical datasets. • Predictive Modeling: Developing models to analyze behaviors, detect anomalies or maneuvers, and predict future states or trajectories. No prior specialization or experience in the space domain is required. The French SME will provide all necessary domain-specific background, physical parameters, and labeled radar tracking data. - Stage of Development - Under development - Sustainable Development Goals - Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal - IPR status - No IPR applied Partner Sought - Expected Role of a Partner - The French SME is looking for a German SME or a research organization to join the project under a Research Cooperation Agreement. • Expected Expertise: Strong expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). • Role of the Partner: The partner will contribute directly to the development of innovative AI algorithms and predictive models. These models will be integrated with advanced sensing and modeling techniques to improve the understanding of space object behavior and overall knowledge of the orbital environment. • Sector Background: Prior specialization or experience in the space domain is not required - Type and Size of Partner - SME 50 - 249 - R&D Institution - SME 11-49 - SME <=10 - Type of partnership - Research and development cooperation agreement Call details - Framework program - International cooperation - Call title and identifier - Bpifrance ZIM (Bilateral French-German Call) - 13th Call for French-German Joint R&D Projects - Submission and evaluation scheme - Two parallel submissions of the joint proposal (French partners submit to Bpifrance, German partners submit to ZIM) - Coordinator required - No - Deadline for EoI - Deadline of the call - Project duration in weeks - 96 - Web link to the call - https: frankreich.html - International cooperation Dissemination - Technology keywords - 01003003 - Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Market keywords - 09001007 - Other transportation - Sector Groups Involved - Digital - Aerospace and Defence - Targeted countries - Germany