Supporting Digital Partnerships in Quantum technologies (RIA)

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03 aims to enhance collaboration in quantum technologies between the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Korea (ROK). It is structured as a Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA), providing non-repayable financial support targeted at advancing quantum communication, computing, simulation, and sensing.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, industry partners, and public-private consortia. The initiative encourages participation from EU member states, EEA countries, and associated third countries, including emphasis on EU Widening Countries.

Grants range from €2,500,000 to €2,700,000, with a total budget allocation of €8,000,000 for the call. The submission process is a single-stage open call, set to open on June 10, 2025, with a deadline of October 2, 2025.

The projects supported are expected to be in the research and development stage and should focus on enhancing technology readiness levels. The call does not require co-funding, but emphasizes the integration of diverse scientific disciplines, linking with relevant standards development organizations, and fostering researcher exchanges.

Competitive calls under Horizon Europe typically have a success rate between 10% and 39%. The initiative aims to strengthen the European quantum ecosystem by promoting knowledge exchange, sharing best practices, and enhancing international cooperation between the EU and ROK in the field of quantum technologies.

The EU-Republic of Korea Digital Partnership in Quantum Technologies is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call under the DIGITAL - CNECT (HORIZON-CL4-2025-03) program. It aims to bolster cooperation between the EU and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in quantum technologies. The call is structured as a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] model grant agreement. The call follows a single-stage submission process, with a planned opening date of June 10, 2025, and a deadline of October 2, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The primary goal is to support the EU-ROK Digital Partnership by enhancing collaboration in quantum technologies. Project outcomes should strengthen the European quantum ecosystem, improve information and expertise exchange, share best practices in quantum technology deployment, facilitate researcher and engineer exchanges, and enhance international cooperation with a roadmap for future collaboration.

The scope includes addressing quantum technology challenges in quantum communication, computing, simulation, and sensing. Proposals should integrate disciplines like physics, engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, theory, algorithms, software, manufacturing, control, and infrastructures.

Relevant technological and societal challenges include:

Co-design of hardware and software to accelerate quantum computing and simulation applications, ensuring interoperability across platforms and foundational quantum algorithm and architecture theories.

Development of secure quantum communication protocols, including quantum key distribution and beyond, with a focus on device-independent protocols, quantum network architecture, and certification of quantum states.

Application-specific quantum sensor development, covering areas like device fabrication, characterization for purposes like navigation, imaging, and biomedical applications, and optimizing sensor control and advanced approaches.

Proposals should link to standards development organizations and include partners with experience in relevant standards committees. They should also contribute to spreading excellence between the EU and ROK, define the benefits of EU-ROK collaboration, and enhance the technology readiness level (TRL) through engineering approaches. Involvement of EU Widening Countries is encouraged. Integration of gender dimensions is not mandatory but encouraged if relevant.

Admissibility conditions, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, exclusion criteria, evaluation and award processes, and legal and financial setups are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

Application form templates and evaluation form templates are available in the Submission System. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide and Model Grant Agreements (MGA). Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2025 sections, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview lists several topics with varying budgets, opening dates, deadlines, and indicative numbers of grants. All topics have a planned opening date of June 10, 2025, and a deadline of October 2, 2025.

Partner search announcements are available for collaboration on this topic. The submission system will open on the date stated in the topic header.

This call aims to foster collaboration between the EU and the Republic of Korea in quantum technologies, addressing challenges in quantum communication, computing, simulation, and sensing. It seeks to strengthen the European quantum ecosystem, improve information exchange, and enhance international cooperation through research and innovation actions. The call encourages proposals that integrate various disciplines, link to standards development, and involve partners from both the EU and ROK, ultimately aiming to advance quantum technologies and their applications.

The following topics are listed with their respective budgets, stages, opening dates, deadlines, contributions and indicative number of grants:

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-08 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 75 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 750000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-09 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 2 500 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 1800000 to 25000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-10 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 2 500 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 1800000 to 25000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-11 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 10 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 100000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-12 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 2 100 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 1900000 to 21000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-13 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 45 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 7000000 to 90000006

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 4 500 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 45000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 10 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 50000002

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 8 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 2500000 to 27000003

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-04 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 2 500 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 25000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-07 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 85 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 40000000 to 450000002

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-08 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 1 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 10000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-09 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 45 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 150000003

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-14 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 43 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 5000000 to 60000007

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-15 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 20 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 4000000 to 50000005

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-16 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 14 500 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 1000000 to 30000009

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-17 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 2 500 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 25000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-18 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 3 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 30000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-19 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 3 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 30000001

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-MATERIALS-46 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 10 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 50000002

HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-MATERIALS-47 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 15 000 000 single-stage2025-06-10 2025-10-02 around 50000003

This EU funding opportunity, under the Horizon Europe program, aims to foster collaboration between European and South Korean entities in the realm of quantum technologies. The core objective is to strengthen the EU-Republic of Korea Digital Partnership by jointly tackling challenges in quantum communication, computing, simulation, and sensing. This initiative seeks to not only advance the technological capabilities in these areas but also to enhance the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices between the two regions.

The program encourages proposals that integrate diverse disciplines such as physics, engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity, ensuring a holistic approach to quantum technology development. By promoting researcher exchanges and providing access to quantum infrastructures, the program aims to build a robust and interconnected quantum community. Ultimately, this collaboration seeks to address societal challenges, improve technology readiness levels, and establish a clear roadmap for future joint endeavors in the quantum field.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but the call encourages participation from public and/or private partners, including those with experience in relevant standards committees at national, European, or international levels. The call also mentions EU Widening Countries, suggesting that entities from those countries are particularly encouraged to apply. The call is open to entities from both the EU and the Republic of Korea (ROK). 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.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA). The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) type is HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. There are also HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA).

Consortium Requirement: The call requires a consortium of multiple applicants, with a balanced involvement of EU and ROK entities. 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.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes the EU and the Republic of Korea (ROK). The call also encourages the involvement of EU Widening Countries. 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.

Target Sector: The target sector is quantum technologies, specifically in the areas of quantum communication, computing, simulation, and sensing. The call also touches on areas like physics, engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, theory, algorithms, software, manufacturing, control, and infrastructures.

Mentioned Countries: The countries explicitly mentioned are the EU member states and the Republic of Korea (ROK). The call also refers to EU Widening Countries and non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is research and innovation actions, which suggests projects in the research, development, validation, and demonstration stages. The call aims to enhance the technology readiness level (TRL) through comprehensive engineering approaches.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call. For example:
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-08: around €75,000,000 (1 grant)
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-09: €1,800,000 to €2,500,000 (1 grant)
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-11: around €10,000,000 (1 grant)
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-13: €7,000,000 to €9,000,000 (6 grants)
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03: €2,500,000 to €2,700,000 (3 grants)
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-07: €40,000,000 to €45,000,000 (2 grants)
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-14: €5,000,000 to €6,000,000 (7 grants)
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-16: €1,000,000 to €3,000,000 (9 grants)
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-MATERIALS-47: around €5,000,000 (3 grants)

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, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential success rate.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly stated, but the call mentions that proposals should clearly define the benefit of EU-ROK collaboration, aiming to enhance the technology readiness level (TRL) through comprehensive engineering approaches involving public and/or private partners, which may imply some form of co-funding or in-kind contributions from the partners.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call aims to bolster the EU-Republic of Korea Digital Partnership by fostering collaboration in quantum technologies. The call seeks to address challenges in quantum communication, computing, simulation, and sensing, encouraging the integration of various scientific and engineering disciplines. It targets a wide range of applicants, including public and private entities, with a focus on projects that enhance technology readiness levels and promote excellence across Europe, particularly in EU Widening Countries. The funding is provided through grants, with varying amounts depending on the specific topic, and the application process involves a single-stage submission. The call emphasizes the importance of EU-ROK collaboration and encourages the involvement of partners with experience in relevant standards development organizations. The overall goal is to strengthen the European quantum ecosystem, improve information exchange, share best practices, facilitate researcher exchanges, and enhance international cooperation between the EU and ROK quantum communities.