PhotonQBoost Open Call for Matching Mission to Poland

The PhotonQBoost Open Call for Matching Mission to Poland is a funding initiative aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their adoption of Photonics and Quantum technologies. This opportunity is part of a broader project designed to enhance sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness across different sectors. The specific mission will take place in Warsaw, Poland, from October 21 to 23, 2025, focusing on the Agrifood and Biotech industries.

Eligible applicants must be SMEs that are legally established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country, having been registered for at least six months before the Open Call deadline. These entities must qualify as SMEs per EU definitions and cannot be consortium partners, affiliates, or subcontractors. Notably, large companies and entities based in the host country, Poland, are excluded from funding but may participate through an Expression of Interest.

The funding type is a non-repayable grant, with a flat-rate payment of €610 per SME for participation in the mission. The total funding available for this call is €12,200. Applications can be submitted through an open call via an online platform between June 25 and August 26, 2025. The participation period aligns with the mission dates.

Support provided to selected SMEs includes not just the monetary grant but also non-monetary services like pre-mission logistics, matchmaking, site visits, workshops, and post-mission advisory services. The application process involves four evaluation stages: an eligibility check, quality assessment based on motivation and team profile, score normalization, and final ranking based on total scores.

There is no co-funding requirement for this call. However, detailed evaluation criteria and guidelines for applicants are available to ensure fairness and support throughout the application process. The goal is to encourage cross-border collaboration between innovative SMEs and Polish ecosystem actors, thereby facilitating the application of advanced technologies in promoting green and digital transitions.

For comprehensive details, including how to apply, potential applicants are directed to the official PhotonQBoost website and the designated submission platform. The call emphasizes fostering international cooperation and leveraging new technologies to advance sustainability initiatives within the targeted sectors.

The PhotonQBoost Open Call for Matching Mission to Poland is a funding opportunity designed to support European SMEs in the adoption of Photonics and Quantum technologies. The goal is to enhance sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness across various sectors. This initiative is part of the broader PhotonQBoost project, which focuses on fostering international collaboration through Cross-Border Matching Missions.

The specific mission to Poland will take place in Warsaw from October 21 to 23, 2025. It is focused on the Agrifood and Biotech sectors. The mission aims to bring together innovative European SMEs and Polish ecosystem actors who are actively involved in Photonics and/or Quantum technologies. This will be achieved through an international delegation visit to Warsaw.

The opening date for submissions is June 25, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is August 26, 2025, at 17:00 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is from October 21 to 23, 2025. The total funding available is 12,200.00 €. The project acronym is PhotonQBoost, and the full name of the EU funded project is Photonics and Quantum Technologies for Sustainable Industry. The grant agreement number is 101177922. The relevant topic is HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-41 - 'Innovate to transform' support for SME's sustainability transition (CSA).

All applications must be submitted through the official online platform. Submissions via other channels will not be accepted. Resources available to assist applicants include Guidelines for Applicants, an offline application template, and access to the online form.

The evaluation process consists of four steps:

1. Eligibility check: This confirms basic criteria such as SME status, country of establishment, and completeness of the submission.
2. Quality assessment (motivation, team, country balance): Eligible applications are reviewed by two internal experts who assess the proposal based on motivation, team profile, and contribution to geographic diversity. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 5, and only proposals that meet the minimum thresholds proceed.
3. Score normalisation: Scores are normalised to ensure fairness. If large discrepancies occur between reviewers, a consensus review may be held.
4. Final ranking and selection: Final selection is based on total score, with tie-breakers applied where necessary, favouring diversity and relevance.

Results will be communicated via the platform. Selected SMEs will undergo legal validation and sign a Sub-Grant Agreement to confirm participation.

Eligibility criteria are as follows:

The SME must be legally established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
The SME must have been registered for at least 6 months before the Open Call deadline.
The organization must qualify as an SME under EU rules.
Applicants must not be consortium partners, affiliates, or subcontractors.

Note that applicants who are not eligible for funding under this Open Call, including entities legally established in the hosting country (Poland) or large companies, or those choosing not to apply for funding, may still apply to participate in the mission. In such cases, selection will be based on Expression of Interest, and the host will make the final decision.

Selected SMEs will benefit from:

Pre-mission support and logistics.
Matchmaking, site visits, and workshops.
Post-mission advisory and funding opportunities.

Funding details:

610 flat-rate per SME.
Payment is made after full participation and feedback submission.

The Open Call targets SMEs active in Photonics and/or Quantum technologies that are looking to:

Explore cross-border collaboration.
Connect with innovation actors in Poland.
Apply advanced technologies to green and digital transitions.

For full details, consult the official call documentation available at the PhotonQBoost website. For further support, applicants may contact the Helpdesk at photonqboost@eura-ag.de.

In summary, this PhotonQBoost Open Call provides a fully funded opportunity for European SMEs in the Photonics and Quantum technology sectors to participate in a matching mission to Poland. The mission focuses on the Agrifood and Biotech sectors and aims to foster international collaboration, connect SMEs with Polish innovation actors, and promote the application of advanced technologies for green and digital transitions. Eligible SMEs can receive a flat-rate funding of 610 after full participation and feedback submission, along with pre-mission support, matchmaking opportunities, site visits, workshops, and post-mission advisory services. The application process involves an eligibility check, quality assessment, score normalization, and final ranking based on the total score. The call is part of the broader HORIZON-CL4 program, specifically targeting SME's sustainability transition.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant type is SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise). The SME must be legally established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country. The SME must have been registered for at least 6 months before the Open Call deadline and must qualify as an SME under EU rules. Applicants must not be consortium partners, affiliates, or subcontractors. Large companies are explicitly ineligible for funding under this Open Call.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically cascade funding. Selected SMEs will receive a flat-rate payment.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is for single applicants. Applicants must not be consortium partners, affiliates, or subcontractors.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Entities legally established in Poland, the hosting country, are not eligible for funding under this Open Call, although they can participate in the mission through an Expression of Interest.

Target Sector: The target sectors are Agrifood and Biotech, with a focus on SMEs active in Photonics and/or Quantum technologies. The program aims to enhance sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness across sectors by adopting these technologies.

Mentioned Countries: Poland, EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is aimed at SMEs looking to explore cross-border collaboration, connect with innovation actors, and apply advanced technologies to green and digital transitions. This suggests a stage of development, validation, or demonstration, with a focus on practical application and collaboration.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is €610 flat-rate per SME. The total funding available for this call is €12,200.

Application Type: The application type is an open call. All applications must be submitted through the official online platform.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money (€610 flat-rate) after full participation and feedback submission. They will also receive non-monetary services including pre-mission support and logistics, matchmaking, site visits, workshops, and post-mission advisory and funding opportunities.

Application Stages: The evaluation process involves four stages: Eligibility check, Quality assessment (motivation, team, country balance), Score normalisation, and Final ranking and selection.

Success Rates: The success rate cannot be determined from the provided information.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement.

Summary:

The PhotonQBoost Open Call offers a fully funded opportunity for European SMEs active in Photonics and/or Quantum technologies to participate in a Cross-Border Matching Mission to Poland, specifically Warsaw, from October 21–23, 2025. The mission focuses on the Agrifood and Biotech sectors. The goal is to foster international collaboration between innovative European SMEs and Polish ecosystem actors. Eligible SMEs, legally established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country (excluding Poland for funding), can apply for a flat-rate grant of €610 to cover their participation. The selected SMEs will benefit from pre-mission support, matchmaking events, site visits, workshops, and post-mission advisory services. The application process involves an eligibility check, quality assessment based on motivation, team profile, and country balance, score normalization, and a final ranking based on the total score. The application deadline is August 26, 2025. This initiative is part of the broader PhotonQBoost project, which aims to support European SMEs in adopting Photonics and Quantum technologies to enhance sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness. The call targets SMEs looking to explore cross-border collaboration, connect with innovation actors in Poland, and apply advanced technologies to green and digital transitions.