Quantum Space Gravimetry topic

The Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-71, is centered on the development of Quantum Space Gravimetry technology. This initiative falls under HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions and has a single-stage submission process. The call is set to open on March 9, 2027, and the submission deadline is September 2, 2027. The primary objective is to advance quantum gravimetry technologies that align with the EU's space policy and foster technological leadership, promoting the EU's non-dependence in quantum gravimetry.

The call aims to fund the maturation and development of quantum-baset accelerometer technologies for space applications, which are essential for monitoring the Earth's gravity field. This data is crucial for understanding various phenomena, including climate change and natural disasters. It emphasizes the need to enhance existing technologies that monitor Earth gravity through quantum sensor technologies, which offer improvements in sensitivity and accuracy over traditional electrostatic accelerometers.

The expected funding for this call is approximately €29.2 million, with individual grants ranging from €14 million to €15 million. The call anticipates awarding grants to two projects. Eligible applicants include legal entities from EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland; however, those with control from non-eligible countries may face restrictions unless they can demonstrate that their participation would not harm EU strategic interests.

Proposals must target two main technology areas: cold atom interferometry with Bose Einstein Condensates (aiming for Technology Readiness Level 6) and emerging technologies like SQUIDs or nuclear spin-based gravimeters (targeting Technology Readiness Levels 4-5). Projects should deliver prototypes and models demonstrating the technology's feasibility for in-orbit testing.

The application process is straightforward, with a single submission stage and no requirement for co-funding. The evaluation will ensure a balanced portfolio by awarding grants based not just on ranking but also ensuring at least one proposal from each technology area receives funding, provided all criteria are met. Successful proposals will receive a STEP Seal, recognizing their strategic importance.

Overall, this grant opportunity signifies a substantial EU investment in advancing quantum technologies crucial for strategic autonomy in space and deepening the technological framework supporting European competitiveness in quantum and space-based applications.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-71, focusing on Quantum Space Gravimetry. It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 09 March 2027, and the deadline for submission is 02 September 2027, 17:00:00 Brussels time. The call aims to support the EU space policy, enhance technological maturation of quantum space gravimetry, and foster EU technological leadership and non-dependence in quantum gravimetry from space.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this call are to support the EU space policy by fostering the development of groundbreaking space technology and support the Quantum Europe Strategy, enhance the technological maturation of the critical components necessary to perform quantum space gravimetry, and foster the technological leadership and non-dependence of the EU in the field of quantum gravimetry from space and promote the EU’s competitiveness in quantum technologies.

The action aims at supporting the maturation, development and/or implementation of quantum gravimetry technology for space. Monitoring the Earth gravity field provides key information and data on Earth mass movements, which is of utmost importance for Earth science and used in many areas, for example to monitor ice sheet changes, floods or droughts, volcanic activities and earthquakes. The community of users for such data spans from climate scientists to geophysicists and relies on quality and precise data. Monitoring the Earth gravity field from space provides a global scale to the user community and fosters the development of models and understanding of the Earth as an integrated and global system.

Space gravimetry data provided up to now (or planned in the near future) is using an underlying technology based on electrostatic accelerometers, which has reached its limits in terms of performance. Accelerometers based on quantum technology may offer enhanced performances in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, stability and operational time compared to these classical accelerometers.

The European Commission is committed to the development of quantum technologies and for this purpose, adopted the Quantum Europe Strategy in July 2025. This strategy identifies Space as a critical element and highlights the benefits of quantum sensing, including for fundamental science. The strategy provides the case for a network of mobile and stationary quantum sensors and foresees the deployment of ground, airborne and space-based gravimeters for Earth observation purposes. The strategy highlights the need for and importance of developing a space compatible technology to fulfil this ambition.

Quantum technologies are also identified as a critical R&I area in the EU Economic Security Strategy. Mastering this technology will contribute to the EU technological sovereignty and foster the development of an EU non-dependent quantum & space ecosystem, able to address the EU’s ambitions for its space policy.

To meet these strategic objectives and envisage a full-blown quantum space gravimetry capacity, the development and in-orbit testing of a quantum accelerometer is a pre-requisite. The European Commission has been supporting the development of quantum accelerometer technology for ground and space gravimetry with dedicated calls in Horizon Europe.

This call will support the implementation, development and maturation of quantum accelerometer technologies for space gravimetry. Proposals should present a technological solution provided it is quantum-based, aims at enhancing the performance of gravimetry mission(s) currently planned (based on electrostatic accelerometers), and the resulting projects are expected to be consistent with a common overarching roadmap and recommendations to be established in close coordination with EU Member States, Norway and Iceland through a dedicated Quantum Space Gravimetry Expert Group (QSGEG). The action should foster the development of the underlying technology and result in a breadboard / payload prototype subsystems / engineering models demonstrating the feasibility and expected performance of the technological solution and its potential further development for integration on a satellite platform, the design of which should also be presented. Proposals should also provide a clear implementation strategy allowing the chosen solution to be tested in-orbit in a demonstrator in the future, the associated development lifecycle of which is free of choice (ECSS or other).

The areas of R&I, which needs to be addressed to tackle the above-mentioned expected outcomes are:

Area 1: R&I on the technology based on cold atom interferometry with Bose Einstein Condensates (BECs) for Quantum Space Gravimetry. Proposals should aim at the maturation of all relevant technology to TRL 6 and deliver engineering and qualification models of the payload subsystems to demonstrate the technology in orbit.

Area 2: R&I on emerging technology for Quantum Space Gravimetry such as SQUIDs (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices) or nuclear spin-based gravimeters or hybridized technology (list not exhaustive). Proposals should aim at the development of the relevant technology to TRL 4-5 and deliver breadboards or prototypes of a payload aiming at demonstrating the technology in orbit.

Proposals should contribute to one of the above R&I areas and this area should be clearly and unambiguously identified. To ensure a balanced portfolio covering the two areas described above, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to one proposal that is the highest ranked within each area, provided that the applications attain all thresholds. Intellectual Property (IP) rights and ownership must be clearly defined and the provisions in Article 16 of the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement shall apply (relevant to protection, exploitation, transfer and licensing, access rights to results and background). The beneficiaries of the grant should also reflect on the availability of the IPs for potential next steps of the activity.

Where applicable, proposers are invited to explore synergies with or build-upon past actions related to quantum technology and/or space gravimetry either at national or EU level.

In this topic, the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content should be addressed only if relevant in relation to the objectives of the research effort.

The general conditions include:

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions: If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used). In order to achieve the expected outcomes, and safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security, participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Norway and Iceland. Proposals including entities established in countries outside the scope specified in the call/topic/action will be ineligible. For the duly justified and exceptional reasons listed in the paragraph above, in order to guarantee the protection of the strategic interests of the Union and its Member States, entities established in an eligible country listed above, but which are directly or indirectly controlled by a non-eligible country or by a non-eligible country entity, may not participate in the action unless it can be demonstrated, by means of guarantees positively assessed by their eligible country of establishment, that their participation to the action would not negatively impact the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment within the meaning of ‘restrictions for the protection of European communication networks’ (or entities fully or partially owned or controlled by a high-risk supplier) cannot submit guarantees.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds Eligible proposals submitted under this topic and exceeding all the evaluation thresholds will be awarded a STEP Seal. To ensure a balanced portfolio covering all the development areas described in the scope section, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to one proposal that is the highest ranked within each development area, provided that the applications attain all thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) Evaluation form templates will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) Guidance HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) HE MGA Declaration of ownership and control A compulsory questionnaire on the declaration of ownership and control is to be filled by all project participants as part of the application. All declarations must be assembled by the coordinator and uploaded in a single file in the portal submission system. For additional information on the assessment of ownership and control process and on the guarantees please consult the draft guidance for participation in restricted calls.

Additional documents: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 7. Digital, Industry and Space 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 Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

The budget overview for 2027 includes:

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-12 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 5,000,000 EUR, contributions of 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 EUR, 2 indicative number of grants. Opening date 2027-03-09, deadline 2027-09-02.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-21 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 980,000 EUR, contributions of 800,000 to 1,000,000 EUR, 1 indicative number of grants. Opening date 2027-03-09, deadline 2027-09-02.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-33 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 4,000,000 EUR, contributions of 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 EUR, 2 indicative number of grants. Opening date 2027-03-09, deadline 2027-09-02.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-34 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 26,000,000 EUR, contributions of 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 EUR, 4 indicative number of grants. Opening date 2027-03-09, deadline 2027-09-02.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-71 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 29,200,000 EUR, contributions of 14,000,000 to 15,000,000 EUR, 2 indicative number of grants. Opening date 2027-03-09, deadline 2027-09-02.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-83 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 490,000 EUR, contributions of 250,000 to 300,000 EUR, 1 indicative number of grants. Opening date 2027-03-09, deadline 2027-09-02.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-84 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 490,000 EUR, contributions of 250,000 to 300,000 EUR, 1 indicative number of grants. Opening date 2027-03-09, deadline 2027-09-02.

Partner search announcements are available, and LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

This Horizon Europe call focuses on advancing quantum gravimetry technology for space applications. It seeks to improve the precision and reliability of Earth gravity field monitoring, which is crucial for understanding climate change, natural disasters, and geophysical phenomena. The call encourages the development of quantum accelerometers to replace existing electrostatic accelerometer technology, aiming for enhanced performance in sensitivity, accuracy, stability, and operational time. The EU is investing in this area to strengthen its technological sovereignty, support its space policy ambitions, and foster an independent quantum and space ecosystem. Projects should align with the Quantum Europe Strategy and contribute to the development of space-compatible quantum sensors. The call is structured around two main research areas: cold atom interferometry with Bose Einstein Condensates and emerging quantum gravimetry technologies like SQUIDs or nuclear spin-based gravimeters. Participation is limited to legal entities from Member States, Norway, and Iceland, with specific provisions to protect the EU's strategic interests. Successful projects will receive a STEP Seal and grants will be awarded to ensure a balanced portfolio across the defined development areas.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is open to legal entities established in Member States, Norway, and Iceland. However, entities established in these eligible countries but directly or indirectly controlled by a non-eligible country or entity may face restrictions unless they can demonstrate that their participation would not negatively impact the Union's strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security. This suggests that a variety of organizations, including research institutions, universities, SMEs, and large enterprises, could be eligible, provided they meet the geographic and control criteria.

Funding Type: The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) or a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe program. The type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG].

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity appears to be open to both single applicants and consortia, as the documentation discusses partner searches and the need for collaboration. However, the specific requirements for consortium versus single applicant submissions are not explicitly detailed in the provided text.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is limited to legal entities established in Member States of the European Union, Norway, and Iceland.

Target Sector: The program targets the space sector, specifically focusing on quantum gravimetry technology for space applications. This includes areas of Earth science, climate monitoring, geophysics, and quantum technologies.

Mentioned Countries: The countries explicitly mentioned are EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the specific R&I area. Area 1 focuses on technology based on cold atom interferometry with Bose Einstein Condensates (BECs) for Quantum Space Gravimetry, aiming for maturation to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. Area 2 focuses on emerging technologies for Quantum Space Gravimetry, such as SQUIDs or nuclear spin-based gravimeters, aiming for development to TRL 4-5. This suggests that the opportunity supports projects from development to validation stages.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-12: EUR 5,000,000 (Contributions: EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 3,000,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-21: EUR 980,000 (Contributions: EUR 800,000 to EUR 1,000,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-33: EUR 4,000,000 (Contributions: EUR 1,500,000 to EUR 3,000,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-34: EUR 26,000,000 (Contributions: EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-71: EUR 29,200,000 (Contributions: EUR 14,000,000 to EUR 15,000,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-83: EUR 490,000 (Contributions: EUR 250,000 to EUR 300,000)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-84: EUR 490,000 (Contributions: EUR 250,000 to EUR 300,000)

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 grants to support their research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The provided text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call aims to advance quantum gravimetry technology for space applications, supporting the EU's space policy and Quantum Europe Strategy. It seeks to enhance the maturation and development of quantum accelerometer technologies, fostering EU technological leadership and non-dependence in this critical area. The call is structured around two main R&I areas: cold atom interferometry with Bose Einstein Condensates (BECs) and emerging technologies like SQUIDs or nuclear spin-based gravimeters. Eligible applicants include legal entities from EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland, with certain restrictions applying to entities controlled by non-eligible countries. The funding is provided through HORIZON-RIA and HORIZON-IA grants, with varying budget allocations for different topics. The application process is a single-stage open call, and projects are expected to contribute to the maturation, development, and in-orbit testing of quantum accelerometers for space gravimetry. The call emphasizes the importance of intellectual property rights and encourages synergies with past actions in quantum technology and space gravimetry.