PQ-REACT Open Call #2 - IMPLEMENT

The PQ-REACT Open Call #2 is a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program aiming to facilitate the transition from classical to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). It focuses on innovative solutions that address the challenges of computational complexity and energy efficiency within specified use cases. Eligible applicants include startups, SMEs, universities, research centers, NGOs, and foundations, with at least one SME and one tech provider required within consortia of 2-3 partners. The funding type is cascade funding, with a total budget of €650,000 and individual grants approximately amounting to €50,000 per project.

Projects need to show development or validation stage implementation of PQC solutions, aligning with sectors like cybersecurity, ICT, energy, and quantum computing. Submissions will be handled through an online platform, with applications due by June 2, 2025. The evaluation process consists of five stages: eligibility checks, alignment evaluation, external assessment by experts, score normalization, and final selection based on scores, ensuring a competitive selection process. The initiative emphasizes the importance of aligning with the NIS2 directive and the European Commission's roadmap on post-quantum cryptography.

Beneficiaries will receive monetary support for various activities, including software development, project management, and participation in technical events. The call particularly encourages proposals that fit within four defined use cases: smart energy meters, 5G/6G architectures, a Context Agility Manager for PQC benchmarking, and Eclipse-Qrisp for PQC. The PQ-REACT project aims to create an innovative framework for transitioning to quantum-resistant solutions, enhancing cybersecurity across different sectors by focusing on PMQ implementation strategies.

PQ-REACT Open Call #2: IMPLEMENT

This is a cascade funding opportunity within the PQ-REACT project, which aims to facilitate the transition from classical to quantum-resistant cryptography. Open Call #2 specifically targets innovative solutions addressing the challenges of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) computational complexity and energy efficiency within defined Use Cases.

Key Details:

Opening Date: 02 April 2025
Deadline: 02 June 2025, 18:00 (Brussels time)
Deadline Model: Single-stage
Expected Duration of Participation: 12 months
Total Funding Available: 650,000.00 EUR
Project Acronym: PQ-REACT
Full Project Name: Post Quantum Cryptography Framework for Energy Aware Contexts
Grant Agreement Number: 101119547
Topic: HORIZON-CL3-2022-CS-01-03 - Transition towards Quantum-Resistant Cryptography

Submission Process:

Submissions must be made through the official online platform linked to the PQ-REACT website (https://pqreact.eu/). Applications submitted through other channels will not be considered.

Supporting Documents:

Guidelines for Applicants: Provides comprehensive information for applicants.
Technical Annex: Details essential requirements and recommendations for integrating applications within the Use Cases.
Online Application Form: To be completed via the Sploro platform.

Evaluation Process:

The evaluation process consists of five phases:

1. Eligibility Check: A semi-automatic filter to ensure all applicants meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Alignment Evaluation: Assessment of how well proposals align with the objectives of the chosen Use Case.
3. External Evaluation: Independent external expert evaluators with entrepreneurial, investment, or innovation backgrounds will assess proposals. Two evaluators, one with technical and one with commercial/business expertise, will evaluate proposals based on three criteria:
Technical Excellence
Impact
Implementation
4. Score Normalisation: A method to balance score distribution and reduce biases. If a divergence greater than 20% persists between the two evaluators' scores, a consensus meeting will be held.
5. Final Selection: Proposals are ranked based on evaluation scores. Tie-breaking rules will be applied in case of equal scores.

The European Commission's approval will be sought before contracting the top-ranked applicants, and the list of selected projects will be submitted to the EC for final screening.

Further Information:

The PQ-REACT project aims to design, develop, and validate a framework for a faster and smoother transition from classical to quantum-resistant solutions across various contexts and usage domains. This framework will include PQC migration paths and cryptographic agility methods. It will also develop a portfolio of tools, including a quantum computer, for validating post-quantum cryptographic systems, enabling users to switch to quantum-resistant cryptography while considering their individual needs and contexts.

There are four Open Call Use Cases to choose from, based on applicant expertise. Proposals should align with the NIS2 directive, the European Commission's recommendations on a Coordinated Implementation Roadmap for the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography, and PQ-REACT research topics. The primary objective should be software and technology-focused, and proposals should be complete and concise.

Eligible Activities:

The following activities qualify for financial support, provided they are cost-effective and have a clear link to the Use Cases topics and objectives directly relevant to PQ-REACT:

Design and development of software.
Software engineering aimed at adapting to new usage areas or improving software quality.
Events attendance and participation in technical, developer, and community events.
Other activities relevant to adhering to robust software development and deployment practices.
Project management linked to the project execution.
Out-of-pocket costs for infrastructure essential to achieving the above.

Consortium Requirements:

Proposals must be submitted by consortia of 2-3 partners (single applications are not allowed).
The consortium must include at least one SME and at least one tech provider.
Tech providers include Universities and Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs).
NGOs and foundations can also participate in the consortium.
For RTOs and Universities, only one application is accepted per research group. Multi-participation is not allowed.

Eligible Entities:

Eligible entities for the PQ-REACT open call include organizations legally identified as:

Start-ups and SMEs
Universities and Research Centers (one application per research group)
NGOs and foundations
Non-profit organizations and foundations with experience in post-quantum cryptography.

Eligible Countries:

Applicants must be legally established/resident in one of the following:

Member States (MS) of the European Union (EU), including their outermost regions.
Horizon Europe associated countries (according to the updated list published by the EC as of the call launch date).

Use Cases:

Proposals must fit within one of the following Use Cases:

Use Case 1: Smart energy meters
Use Case 2: 5G and 6G architectures
Use Case 3: Context Agility Manager (PQC Benchmarking)
Use Case 4: Eclipse-Qrisp for PQC

Contact:

For questions about the process, email applications@pqreact.eu

Summary:

The PQ-REACT Open Call #2 is a funding opportunity aimed at fostering innovation in post-quantum cryptography. It seeks to engage startups, SMEs, and RTOs in developing solutions that address the computational complexity and energy efficiency challenges associated with PQC. The call requires applicants to form consortia and focus their proposals on one of four specific Use Cases, ranging from smart energy meters to 5G/6G architectures and PQC benchmarking tools. The goal is to accelerate the transition from classical cryptography to quantum-resistant solutions by supporting projects that design, develop, and validate relevant software and technologies. The funding supports a range of activities, including software development, software engineering, event participation, and project management, with a focus on aligning with the NIS2 directive and the European Commission's roadmap for post-quantum cryptography. The evaluation process is rigorous, involving eligibility checks, alignment assessments, external expert evaluations, and score normalization to ensure a fair and balanced selection of the most promising projects.

Eligible Applicant Types: Eligible applicants include startups, SMEs, universities, research centers (RTOs), NGOs, and foundations. Specifically, the consortium must include at least one SME and one tech provider (Universities and RTOs). For RTOs and Universities, only one application is accepted per research group. Non-profit organizations and foundations with experience in post-quantum cryptography are also eligible.

Funding Type: The funding type is cascade funding, which is a type of grant.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required. Single applications are not allowed. The consortium must be composed of 2-3 partners.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Applicants must be legally established/resident in any of the Member States (MS) of the European Union (EU), including their outermost regions, or in Horizon Europe associated countries, according to the updated list published by the EC as of the call launch date.

Target Sector: The target sector is cybersecurity, specifically focusing on the transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). It also touches on areas like energy (smart energy meters), telecommunications (5G and 6G architectures), and software development. The call targets innovative solutions for PQC computational complexity and energy efficiency.

Mentioned Countries: The Member States of the European Union (EU) and Horizon Europe associated countries are mentioned.

Project Stage: The project stage is development and implementation of innovative solutions, implying a stage beyond basic research and towards validation and demonstration.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is 650,000 EUR. The funding amount per project is variable, depending on the number of projects selected and the specific needs of each project.

Application Type: The application type is an open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money, as the call provides financial support for eligible activities.

Application Stages: The evaluation process consists of five phases: Eligibility check, Alignment evaluation, External evaluation, Score normalization, and Final Selection.

Success Rates: The success rate is not explicitly mentioned.

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

Summary:

PQ-REACT Open Call #2 is a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, aimed at fostering the transition from classical to post-quantum cryptography. The call seeks to attract consortia of startups, SMEs, universities, research centers (RTOs), NGOs, and foundations to develop and implement innovative solutions addressing the challenges of PQC computational complexity and energy efficiency. The total funding available is 650,000 EUR, and the expected duration of participation is 12 months.

The call focuses on software and technology-driven projects that align with the NIS2 directive and the European Commission's recommendations on post-quantum cryptography. Eligible activities include software design and development, software engineering, event participation, and project management.

Applicants must form a consortium of 2-3 partners, including at least one SME and one tech provider (university or RTO). The proposals must fit within one of the four specified Use Cases: Smart energy meters, 5G and 6G architectures, Context Agility Manager (PQC Benchmarking), and Eclipse-Qrisp for PQC.

The submission process is conducted through an online platform, and the evaluation process involves five stages: eligibility check, alignment evaluation, external evaluation by experts with entrepreneurial, investment, or innovation backgrounds, score normalization, and final selection based on evaluation scores. The geographic eligibility is limited to entities legally established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries.

The PQ-REACT project aims to create a framework for a faster and smoother transition to quantum-resistant solutions, including PQC migration paths and cryptographic agility methods. This initiative is crucial for enhancing cybersecurity in various sectors, including energy, telecommunications, and IoT, by adopting PQC techniques.