Request for Proposal for Earth Observation Experts

We are in search of Earth Observation Experts for mineral exploration, environmental monitoring, mining waste re-valorization, and educational content creation on the use of Copernicus data across the full mine life cycle. 

Scope of work

The activities covered by this contract fall within the framework of WP2 – Task 2.2, WP3 – Task 3.1, and WP4 – Task 4.1 of the Horizon Europe FIERCE project.

• Development of an open version of the RawMatCop Academy, to serve as a comprehensive learning platform on the use of Copernicus data for the raw materials sector.
• Implementation of Advisory Services for SMEs, during two support rounds:
  • First Advisory Period: December 2025 – March 2026 (approx. 100 SMEs selected).
  • Second Advisory Period: April – July 2026 (approx. 40 SMEs selected).

The external experts are expected to design and deliver training and advisory services on the following 3 topics:

• Advisory 1: Earth Observation for mineral exploration
  • Earth Observation for re-valorization of mining waste (tailings and stockpiles).
• Advisory 2: Environmental monitoring of mining activities

Detailed scope of work

WP2 – Task 2.2 RawMatCop Academy Adaptation for FIERCE

The selected external experts will be responsible for creating advanced-level learning materials on topics related to remote sensing in Earth Observation, as using existing RawMatCop Academy materials as a foundation, designed for audiences already familiar with technologies and services in the critical raw materials sector.

Specifically, the experts will:

• Design at least four learning materials that go beyond introductory material in the RawMatCop Academy and reflect more in-depth and applied insights.
  • Learning items may be delivered in various formats (e.g. videos, PDFs, interactive modules, or presentations), provided they remain advanced-level, informative, and self-contained.
• Ensure that adaptations do not directly duplicate commercially available RawMatCop Academy content but provide value-aligned educational resources for open-access dissemination.
• Ensure all materials are self-contained and informative on their own, requiring no additional course context, and suitable for open-access dissemination.
• Comply with FIERCE branding and EIT Raw Materials video production guidelines.
• Deliver all agreed materials at once by the deadline established in the contract.
• Agree that the learning materials will be made available as open-access content within the FIERCE project.
  • Agree that EITRM retains the right to use and distribute the content beyond FIERCE for educational, research, and capacity-building purposes while ensuring compliance with its existing RawMatCop Academy commercialization strategy.
• The expert shall have no ongoing responsibilities after the final delivery of the agreed material for this work package.

WP3 – Task 3.1 and WP4 – Task 4.1

The selected external experts will be responsible for the preparation and delivery of three advanced thematic advisory services within the FIERCE project:

• Advisory1: Earth Observation for mineral exploration
  • Sub-Advisory 1.1: Earth Observation for re-valorization of mining waste (tailings and stockpiles).
• Advisory 2: Environmental monitoring of mining activities

Each service will be structured as a 10-hour support package per SME, consisting of both a live Masterclass and one-on-one tailored advisory.

Specifically, the external experts will:

• Design and deliver one Masterclass per topic:
  • Prepare tailored slides and training content.
  • Deliver 2-hour live online Masterclass sessions for groups of SMEs (typically 10–12 participants per session).
  • Adjust content to reflect the needs and profiles of the SMEs.
• Provide personalized 1:1 advisory for each SME (7 hours per SME):
  • Conduct a desk review of the SME’s business, technology, and innovation potential (2 hours).
  • Prepare tailored materials and guidance (3 hours).
  • Lead a 1-hour advisory session (1 hour).
  • Offer follow-up support and written documentation (1 hour).
• Participate in a coordination meeting at the start of the advisory period to align methodology and reporting expectations with EIT-RawMaterials and the FIERCE project management team.
• Provide brief documentation for each SME supported, including a summary of the topics discussed, resources shared, and follow-up recommendations.
• Ensure alignment with the overall FIERCE methodology and timeline. All services must be delivered between December 2025 and March 2026 for the first advisory period. While from April-July 2026 for the second advisory period.

The total time effort required for the three advanced thematic advisory services is estimated at approximately 190 hours, including both live interactions and preparation time, covering an estimated 19 supported SMEs. The same structure will be replicated during the second advisory period (March–July 2026), with an estimated 90 hours of total effort across the three thematic areas, as EIT RawMaterials is estimated to support around 9 SMEs.

Deliverables

WP2 – T2.2: Advanced learning materials on remote sensing and Earth Observation, building on existing RawMatCop content and adapted for the FIERCE project.

WP3 – T3.1 + WP4 – T4.1:

• A series of masterclasses on: (1) Mineral mapping, (2) Environmental risk and monitoring in mining, (3) Re-valorization and monitoring of mining waste (tailings and stockpiles).
• Summary report documenting individual advisory sessions, including the number of SMEs supported, feedback collected, case studies, and tailored recommendations.
• Guidelines on EO-based methods, dataset selection, and analytical techniques relevant to the advisory topics (e.g., multispectral analysis, change detection, InSAR).

Timeline

• Publishing the RFP on EIT RawMaterials website: 16/10/2025
• Deadline for requesting clarification from EIT RawMaterials: 04/11/2025
• Deadline for submitting proposals: 05/11/2025
• Intended date of notification of award: 07/11/2025
• Intended date of contract signature: 10/11/2025

Contact

Submit proposals to michele.rubino@eitrawmaterials.eu