Eligibility for participation in Copernicus invitations to tender
According to the Contribution Agreement between the European Union and ECMWF, participation in calls for tenders shall preferably be open to entities established in Member States of the European Union and to entities established in Copernicus participating states in accordance with the conditions laid down in the EU’s Space Programme Regulation. ECMWF is required to reserve the right to exclude ineligible persons or entities from tenders at any point in time. All Tenderers as well as their sub-contractors must meet all eligibility criteria throughout the whole duration of the procurement exercise as well as their prospective contracts.
Eligibility of United Kingdom and Swiss entities
Switzerland (CH) was eligible for the first phase of the Copernicus Programme between 2014 and 2020. This has changed. For the avoidance of doubt, please note that, at present, CH is neither an EU Member State nor is it participating in the EU Space Programme. Thus, CH is currently considered a non-contributing country for the second phase of the Copernicus Programme (2021-2027).
During 2021-2023 the United Kingdom (UK) was also considered a non-contributing country for the second phase of the Copernicus Programme. However, on 4 December 2023 the UK and the European Commission signed an agreement finalising the UK’s association to the Copernicus Programme (as well as to Horizon Europe). For the avoidance of doubt, from 1 January 2024 the UK is therefore eligible to benefit from Copernicus services and products in the same way as other participating countries. UK entities will have the same rights as entities from EU or other associated countries to bid for Copernicus contracts, both as prime and sub-contractors. The UK is committing to participate in Copernicus for the remainder of the current multi-annual financial framework (2021-2027).
According to the Contribution Agreement between the European Union and ECMWF, participation in calls for tenders shall preferably be open to entities established in Member States of the European Union and to entities established in Copernicus participating states in accordance with the conditions laid down in the EU’s Space Programme Regulation. ECMWF is required to reserve the right to exclude ineligible persons or entities from tenders at any point in time. All Tenderers as well as their sub-contractors must meet all eligibility criteria throughout the whole duration of the procurement exercise as well as their prospective contracts.
Eligibility of United Kingdom and Swiss entities
Switzerland (CH) was eligible for the first phase of the Copernicus Programme between 2014 and 2020. This has changed. For the avoidance of doubt, please note that, at present, CH is neither an EU Member State nor is it participating in the EU Space Programme. Thus, CH is currently considered a non-contributing country for the second phase of the Copernicus Programme (2021-2027).
During 2021-2023 the United Kingdom (UK) was also considered a non-contributing country for the second phase of the Copernicus Programme. However, on 4 December 2023 the UK and the European Commission signed an agreement finalising the UK’s association to the Copernicus Programme (as well as to Horizon Europe). For the avoidance of doubt, from 1 January 2024 the UK is therefore eligible to benefit from Copernicus services and products in the same way as other participating countries. UK entities will have the same rights as entities from EU or other associated countries to bid for Copernicus contracts, both as prime and sub-contractors. The UK is committing to participate in Copernicus for the remainder of the current multi-annual financial framework (2021-2027).