New primitives and protocols for functionalities of future hybrid classical-hybrid and quantum networks

This is a Horizon Europe grant opportunity focusing on "New primitives and protocols for functionalities of future hybrid classical-hybrid and quantum networks," identified as HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-04. The call is part of the Horizon Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) framework, opening for applications on March 2, 2027, with a deadline on September 15, 2027. The total budget for this topic is €4,000,000, and only one grant is expected to be awarded.

Eligible applicants must be legal entities based in EU Member States or Associated Countries. The grant encourages collaboration among universities, research institutes, and companies specializing in quantum technologies and applied cryptography. The funding employs a lump sum model, simplifying financial management for beneficiaries.

The goal of this opportunity is to develop new cryptographic primitives and protocols that extend beyond existing Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) methods. Proposals should address new approaches for securing hybrid classical-quantum and fully quantum networks. Researchers are expected to investigate the applicability and strengths of these new methods compared to classical alternatives, perform critical analyses of formal assumptions, and establish rigorous security proofs.

The project stage is focused on research and innovation, aiming for practical applications in quantum cryptography. The initiative supports multidisciplinary partnerships, ideally involving quantum scientists and experts in post-quantum cryptography, reflecting the need for diverse expertise in addressing complex security challenges in future quantum network architectures.

Success rates are anticipated to be low due to the high competition for a single available grant. Although no mandatory co-funding requirement is specified, applicants may opt to include additional funding from their institutions to demonstrate commitment.

The submission process is a single-stage call, simplifying the application process by allowing complete proposals to be submitted directly. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to National Cybersecurity Coordination Centres or the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre for guidance.

In summary, this Horizon Europe initiative aims to advance research in quantum cryptography, encouraging innovative solutions for enhanced cybersecurity in quantum and hybrid networks. It underscores EU's commitment to maintaining a strategic advantage in the field of cybersecurity amidst rapid technological advancements.

This is a Horizon Europe call for proposals, specifically HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-04, focusing on "New primitives and protocols for functionalities of future hybrid classical-hybrid and quantum networks." It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 02 March 2027, and the deadline for submission is 15 September 2027, 17:00:00 Brussels time. The total budget for this topic is 4,000,000 EUR for the year 2027, with an indicative number of 1 grant to be awarded. The type of Model Grant Agreement is HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS].

The expected outcome of proposals should contribute to one or more of the following: new primitives beyond Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for future hybrid classical-quantum and quantum networks, either as quantum equivalents of classical primitives or as new primitives for new practical applications, also in the relativistic setting when relevant, or as new primitives and protocols with modular, realistic integration of solutions from different cryptographic approaches, with focus on beyond-QKD applications and with gradual release on trust in hardware; analysis of the applicability and strength of the results compared to their best classical-only counterpart, critical analysis of the formal assumptions and of performance, security proofs; investigation of fundamental aspects of quantum information processing tasks, their eventual limits; and/or the connection between quantum computing and cryptography for insights for stronger cryptographic foundations; and a roadmap for quantum cryptography and networks functionalities.

The scope of the action supports research on new primitives and protocols beyond QKD for security and trust-based applications, by combining different cryptographic approaches and by exploiting insights from quantum information science, to demonstrate compelling quases of quantum cryptographic advantage and obtain foundational results on the unique features of quantum protocols. The goal is to build on the basis of insights from the field of real-world, applied cryptography and the vision from the quantum domain on future entanglement-based networks, the foundations of a new cryptography, that will support mid-term hybrid classical-quantum and further in the future almost fully quantum networks. The design of such new foundations may need entirely new paradigms whose design requires different expertise.

The proposal should target some of the following areas and lead to a roadmap: development of quantum primitives which have classical equivalent, of new quantum primitives not possible classically (or without trusted hardware), and of alternative solutions improving quantum cryptography protocols using classical cryptography solutions (in particular PQC), by flexibly incorporating various cryptographic components, with some beneficial aspects such as performance improvements (run time, energy usage, less requirements on HW etc.); analysis of the applicability and strength of the results compared to their best classical-only counterpart, critical analysis of the formal assumptions, rigorous security proofs, case-by-case analysis of composable security and of performance; connection between quantum information processing tasks and holography, and transfer to the cryptographic context, such as, among others, non-local quantum computation for position-verification schemes and spoofing schemes as means of establishing trust, via foundational insights on entanglement and quantum correlations; connection between quantum computing and cryptography providing stronger cryptographic foundations; and development of a quantum cryptography roadmap, which identifies challenges for the technical realisation and scaling of applications and presenting the implications for the best hardware and architecture settings for both near-term and long-term applications of quantum networks. Proposals should include, in a balanced manner, quantum scientists and researchers from PQC with experience on real-world, applied cryptography and with interest in quantum protocols and new paradigms for future networks.

The general conditions include: admissibility conditions related to proposal page limit and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System; eligible countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide; other eligible conditions limiting participation to legal entities established in Member States and Associated Countries to safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, and security, and excluding entities controlled by non-eligible countries; financial and operational capacity and exclusion as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes; evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes; submission and evaluation processes as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual; indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes; and legal and financial set-up of the grants, with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021, and further details in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme. Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information includes: application form templates available in the Submission System (Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)), evaluation form templates (Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)), HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, call-specific instructions, detailed budget table (HE LS), guidance on lump sums, Ownership Control Declaration, and Information on Security issues (Security section). Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 6. Civil Security for Society, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

There is one partner search announcement available. The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header. For guidance and support, applicants are encouraged to contact the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centres (NCC) in their country or the ECCC Applicants Direct Contact Centre. Additional resources include the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment, and the Partner Search tool.

In summary, this Horizon Europe grant opportunity aims to foster research and innovation in quantum cryptography, specifically focusing on developing new cryptographic primitives and protocols that go beyond Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). It seeks to lay the groundwork for secure hybrid classical-quantum and fully quantum networks of the future. The call encourages collaboration between quantum scientists and researchers with expertise in classical cryptography to create a roadmap for quantum cryptography and network functionalities. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and participation is generally limited to entities within EU Member States and Associated Countries. The call emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the Union's strategic assets and interests in the development of these advanced cryptographic technologies.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are legal entities established in Member States and Associated Countries of the European Union. Entities established in an eligible country but controlled by a non-eligible country or entity are not allowed to participate. The call encourages the participation of quantum scientists and researchers from Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) with experience in real-world, applied cryptography.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe Programme. The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum contribution.

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the call encourages proposals that include, in a balanced manner, quantum scientists and researchers from PQC, suggesting that a consortium approach is favored to bring together the necessary expertise.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is limited to legal entities established in EU Member States and Associated Countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may have specific provisions for funding their participants, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily cybersecurity, with a focus on quantum cryptography, quantum information science, and post-quantum cryptography. It also touches upon areas like quantum networks, cryptographic primitives, and security protocols.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions the 27 EU Member States, Iceland, and Norway as countries with National Cybersecurity Coordination Centres (NCCs). It also refers to non-EU and non-associated countries (third countries) in the context of National Contact Points (NCPs).

Project Stage: The project stage targets research, development, and innovation, aiming to develop new primitives and protocols, analyze their applicability, and create a roadmap for quantum cryptography and network functionalities. This suggests a focus on research, development, and validation stages.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-01: EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000
HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-02: EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 4,000,000
HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-03: EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 4,000,000
HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-04: Around EUR 4,000,000

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant to cover eligible costs.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage, meaning applicants submit a full proposal by the deadline.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the competition level. For example, HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-04 indicates that only 1 grant will be awarded.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, managed by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), seeks to foster research and innovation in quantum cryptography and network security. The call aims to develop new cryptographic primitives and protocols that go beyond Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) to secure future hybrid classical-quantum and fully quantum networks. The projects should combine different cryptographic approaches, leverage insights from quantum information science, and demonstrate compelling cases of quantum cryptographic advantage.

The call is structured around four main topics:
HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-01 focuses on HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 24,800,000 and aims to fund approximately 5 projects with contributions ranging from EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000.
HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-02 targets HORIZON Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 24,000,000, also aiming to fund around 5 projects with contributions between EUR 3,000,000 and EUR 4,000,000.
HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-03 supports HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 19,000,000 and intends to fund about 3 projects, each receiving EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 4,000,000.
HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-04 is dedicated to HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 4,000,000 and plans to fund a single project with a contribution of around EUR 4,000,000.

Eligible applicants are legal entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries, with a strong emphasis on including both quantum scientists and researchers with expertise in post-quantum cryptography and applied cryptography. The call adopts a lump sum funding model, and the submission process is single-stage, with a deadline of September 15, 2027. This initiative aims to lay the groundwork for a new generation of cryptography that can support secure communication in the era of quantum computing and advanced network technologies.