European Space Policy Institute Announced Essay Winners
The 2026 competition selected two policy experts to contribute original analysis to regional space policy dialogues.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Space
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The European Space Policy Institute has named Sara Fernández and Stefanie Gottschalk as the winners of its 2026 Essay Competition. The two recipients were selected from a pool of applicants aged 18 to 35.
Why it matters
The competition serves as a formal mechanism for integrating next-generation perspectives into the evolving European space policy framework. By soliciting original policy briefs, the institute aims to broaden the discourse surrounding regional space governance.
The competition required applicants to submit a policy brief responding to one of three specified questions on European space policy. Each winner received full access to the Space Debate Europe conference held in Madrid as part of the award.
The players
European Space Policy Institute
A research organization providing independent analysis and policy recommendations on European space programs and industry development.
Sara Fernández
One of the two winners of the 2026 ESPI Essay Competition.
Stefanie Gottschalk
One of the two winners of the 2026 ESPI Essay Competition.
The details
The competition challenged entrants to produce original policy analysis in a short brief format. This process is designed to test a candidate's ability to synthesize complex regulatory challenges in the space sector into actionable policy guidance.
Timeline
The ESPI Essay Competition occurred during 2026.
The award winners were announced on September 24, 2026.
The Tech Race
This competition sits within the broader effort of regional space agencies to cultivate a pipeline of policy experts capable of navigating complex regulatory environments. It follows a established pattern of research institutions engaging academic cohorts to refine long-term space governance strategies.
The competition results grant the two winners direct access to the high-level policy discussions hosted at the Space Debate Europe conference. Future participants can leverage these results as a benchmark for the professional standards required in upcoming policy brief calls.
The takeaway
The event highlights a targeted effort to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical space governance. Interested applicants should monitor the European Space Policy Institute website for the announcement of the 2027 competition cycle.
Further reading
For additional context on regional space initiatives, visit Space.
More information
View the 2026 competition details and submission guidelines on the official institute portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ESPI.
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