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Call key data
Continuation of the Quantum Technologies Flagship
Funding Program
Horizon Europe: Cluster 4 - Digital, Industry and Space
Call number
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01
deadlines
Opening
10.06.2025
Deadline
02.10.2025 17:00
Funding rate
100%
Call budget
€ 4,500,000.00
Estimated EU contribution per project
€ 4,500,000.00
Link to the call
Link to the submission
Call content
short description
This action supports the coordination of the Quantum Flagship initiative by acting as a global observatory for quantum technologies, facilitating strategic alignment across Europe, and promoting international collaboration. It also provides communication, strategic analysis, and governance support to boost Europe's leadership, visibility, and innovation in the quantum domain.
Call objectives
The scope of the new Quantum Flagship CSA (Coordination and Support Action) encompasses:
- The global observatory role of quantum technologies, systematically reporting on the latest advancements and breakthroughs occurring worldwide.
- Fulfil the dissemination requirement of five articles every two months highlighting EU success stories in quantum technologies. These articles should be widely promoted in Europe and beyond via social media, popular newspapers, and technical magazines to ensure maximum visibility and impact.
- Building upon the established infrastructure by the previous CSA, support the European Commission and current and future projects within the Quantum Flagship, including organisation of events and ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and expertise.
- Developing comprehensive communication plans tailored to different target audiences, enhancing the visibility and understanding of quantum technologies and their societal implications.
- Acting as a central hub for coordinating actions between the EU, Member States, and international partners. This involves compiling and disseminating information critical for harmonizing strategies at different levels.
- Providing support to the Flagship's governance structures, contributing to the smooth execution of its strategic vision and operational goals. This may include aiding the establishment and integration of new bodies or initiatives.
- Contribute to the organisation of the European Quantum Technologies Conference (EQTC). The conference is due to be hosted by the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the third quarter of each year (2026-2029).
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Expected effects and impacts
The project should aim to link to the activities of relevant standards development organisations with e.g. participation of project beneficiaries in the relevant standards technical committees. The Commission encourages the inclusion of partners with direct experience of participation in relevant standards committees at national, European or international level(s) in project consortia.
Proposals are encouraged to build on, or seek collaboration with, existing projects and develop synergies and complementarities with other relevant European, national, or regional initiatives and funding programmes. In particular, links are encouraged with:
- the project funded under the topic HORIZON-CL4-2021-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-32: Support and coordination of the Quantum Technologies Flagship Initiative (CSA) – QUCATS project;
- all relevant quantum technologies-related projects funded under Horizon Europe and Digital Europe, and as part of the EuroQCI initiative, EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and Chips Joint Undertaking.
Proposals should also cover synergies with other relevant European, national, or regional initiatives and funding programmes such as those mentioned above.
Proposals should also contribute to spreading excellence across Europe; for example, through the involvement of EU Widening Countries.
In this topic the integration of the gender dimension (sex and/or gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement; however, should proposers consider it to be of relevance for their proposal, they are strongly encouraged to integrate it.
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Expected results
Project results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:
- Act as a global observatory of quantum technologies, systematically reporting on the latest advancements and breakthroughs occurring worldwide. Provide regular assessments to the European Commission and Member States, specifically to the Quantum Technologies Coordination Group established in line with the Quantum Declaration, offering a detailed analysis of Europe's standing relative to global competitors. This will ensure Europe can strategically respond to emerging trends and innovations.
- Capitalize on the accomplishments and infrastructure (e.g. online presence) established by the current CSA to further elevate Europe's leadership in quantum technologies.
- Provide comprehensive support to Flagship projects, researchers, and innovators, fostering synergies, knowledge sharing, and best practices.
- Develop and implement targeted communication strategies to raise awareness and understanding of quantum technologies across varied audiences, including students, specialists, and the general public.
- Promote the sustainable growth of quantum technologies in Europe by exploring new applications and markets, ensuring the field's dynamism and competitiveness.
- Serve as a pivotal entity for coordinating efforts between the EU and Member States, especially in light of the new Quantum Declaration. This includes aligning national and European strategies and enhancing international relations to fortify Europe's stance in the global quantum landscape.
- Assist the Flagship's governance bodies and facilitate the integration of new structures or initiatives, ensuring a cohesive and efficient approach to advancing quantum technologies in Europe.
- Act as a globally-oriented data observatory for quantum technologies, systematically collecting data (e.g. on patents, scientific publications and the current and future evolution of markets for quantum technologies) related to the state of quantum technologies in Europe and worldwide. Once or twice a year, this data should be disseminated to stakeholders, including the Commission and Member States, as well as countries associated to Horizon Europe.
- Propose a clear, service-oriented model detailing the CSA's offerings to various stakeholders, including research support, data business intelligence, strategic analysis, international collaboration facilitation, event organization, and communication activities.
- Update the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda through a community-based process involving research and industry stakeholders.
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Eligibility Criteria
Regions / countries for funding
Moldova (Moldova), Albania (Shqipëria), Armenia (Հայաստան), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosna i Hercegovina / Босна и Херцеговина), Canada, Faeroes (Føroyar / Færøerne), Georgia (საქართველო), Iceland (Ísland), Israel (ישראל / إِسْرَائِيل), Kosovo (Kosova/Kosovë / Косово), Montenegro (Црна Гора), Morocco (المغرب), New Zealand (Aotearoa), North Macedonia (Северна Македонија), Norway (Norge), Serbia (Srbija/Сpбија), Switzerland (Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera), Tunisia (تونس /Tūnis), Türkiye, Ukraine (Україна), United Kingdom
eligible entities
EU Body, Education and training institution, Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) / Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Other, Private institution, incl. private company (private for profit), Public Body (national, regional and local; incl. EGTCs), Research Institution incl. University, Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)
Mandatory partnership
No
Project Partnership
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
- the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions
- the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States
- countries associated to Horizon Europe - see list of particpating countries
Only legal entities forming a consortium are eligible to participate in actions provided that the consortium includes, as beneficiaries, three legal entities independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows:
- at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State; and
- at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries.
Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from non-associated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call topic.
A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality.
Specific cases:
- Affiliated entities (i.e. entities with a legal or capital link to a beneficiary which participate in the action with similar rights and obligations to the beneficiaries, but which do not sign the grant agreement and therefore do not become beneficiaries themselves) are allowed, if they are eligible for participation and funding.
- Associated partners (i.e. entities which participate in the action without signing the grant agreement, and without the right to charge costs or claim contributions) are allowed, subject to any conditions regarding associated partners set out in the specific call conditions.
- Entities which do not have legal personality under their national law may exceptionally participate, provided that their representatives have the capacity to undertake legal obligations on their behalf, and offer guarantees to protect the EU’s financial interests equivalent to those offered by legal persons.
- Legal entities created under EU law (EU bodies) including decentralised agencies may be part of the consortium, unless provided for otherwise in their basic act.
- International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding. International organisations with headquarters in a Member State or Associated Country are eligible to receive funding for ‘Training and mobility’ actions or when provided for in the specific call/topic conditions. Other international organisations are not eligible to receive funding, unless provided for in the specific call/topic conditions, or if their participation is considered essential for implementing the action by the granting authority.
- Joint Research Centre (JRC)— Where provided for in the specific call conditions, applicants may include in their proposals the possible contribution of the JRC but the JRC will not participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal. Applicants will indicate the contribution that the JRC could bring to the project based on the scope of the topic text. After the evaluation process, the JRC and the consortium selected for funding may come to an agreement on the specific terms of the participation of the JRC. If an agreement is found, the JRC may accede to the grant agreement as beneficiary requesting zero funding or participate as an associated partner, and would accede to the consortium as a member.
- Associations and interest groupings — Entities composed of members (e.g. European research infrastructure consortia (ERICs)) may participate as ‘sole beneficiaries’ or ‘beneficiaries without legal personality’. However, if the action is in practice implemented by the individual members, those members should also participate (either as beneficiaries or as affiliated entities, otherwise their costs will NOT be eligible.
- EU restrictive measures — Entities subject to EU restrictive measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) as well as Article 75 TFEU, are not eligible to participate in any capacity, including as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, associated partners, third parties giving in-kind contributions, subcontractors or recipients of financial support to third parties (if any).
- Legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government controlled territories of Ukraine — Given the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the involvement of Belarus, there is currently no appropriate context allowing the implementation of the actions foreseen in this programme with legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government controlled territories of Ukraine. Therefore, even where such entities are not subject to EU restrictive measures, such legal entities are not eligible to participate in any capacity. This includes participation as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, associated partners, third parties giving in-kind contributions, subcontractors or recipients of financial support to third parties (if any). Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for justified reasons.
With specific regard to measures addressed to Russia, following the adoption of the Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 of 24 June 2024 (amending Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014) concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, legal entities established outside Russia but whose proprietary rights are directly or indirectly owned for more than 50% by a legal person, entity or body established in Russia are also not eligible to participate in any capacity. - Measures for the protection of the Union budget against breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary — Following the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2506, as of 16 December 2022, no legal commitments can be entered into with Hungarian public interest trusts established under the Hungarian Act IX of 2021 or any entity they maintain. Affected entities may continue to apply to calls for proposals and can participate without receiving EU funding, as associated partners, if allowed by the call conditions. However, as long as the Council measures are not lifted, such entities are not eligible to participate in any funded role (beneficiaries, affiliated entities, subcontractors, recipients of financial support to third parties, etc.).In case of multi-beneficiary grant calls, applicants will be invited to remove or replace that entity in any funded role and/or to change its status into associated partner. Tasks and budget may be redistributed accordingly.
other eligibility criteria
Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
Additional information
Topics
Relevance for EU Macro-Region
EUSAIR - EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Space, EUSBSR - EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, EUSDR - EU Strategy for the Danube Region
UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs)
project duration
48 months
Additional Information
Applications must be submitted electronically via the Funders & Tenders Portal electronic submission system (accessible via the topic page in the Search Funding & Tenders section). Paper submissions are NOT possible.
Applications must be submitted using the forms provided inside the electronic submission system (not the templates available on the topic page, which are only for information). The structure and presentation must correspond to the instructions given in the forms.
Applications must be complete and contain all parts and mandatory annexes and supporting documents.
The application form will have two parts:
- Part A (to be filled in directly online) contains administrative information about the applicant organisations (future coordinator and beneficiaries and affiliated entities), the summarised budget for the proposal and call-specific questions;
- Part B (to be downloaded from the Portal submission system, completed and then assembled and re-uploaded as a PDF in the system) contains the technical description of the project.
Annexes and supporting documents will be directly available in the submission system and must be uploaded as PDF files (or other formats allowed by the system).
The limit for a full application (Part B) is 30 pages.
Call documents
Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 Cluster 4 - Digital, Industry and SpaceHorizon Europe Work Programme 2025 Cluster 4 - Digital, Industry and Space(kB)
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