Proposal starter pack: HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-04
Information only. Every fact is taken from the source named next to it, with the date it was read; the topic page and the call conditions on the Funding & Tenders Portal are authoritative and prevail. No proposal text is written for you. This pack complements, and does not replace, the national contact points, the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC), the Quantum Business Network (QBN) and grant advisers.
The call
HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-04 is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) of the Horizon Europe (Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society), forthcoming as the source states, with a planned opening on 2027-03-02 and a deadline on 2027-09-15. Its stated budget is EUR 4,000,000 for 1 expected grant.
- Topic
- HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-04: New primitives and protocols for functionalities of future hybrid classical-hybrid and quantum networks
- Programme
- Horizon Europe, Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society
- Type of action
- RIA (Research and Innovation Action)
- Status
- Forthcoming
- Planned opening
- 2027-03-02
- Deadline
- 2027-09-15 (single-stage)
- Budget (as stated)
- EUR 4,000,000 (2027; 1 expected grant; EUR 4,000,000 to 4,000,000 each)
- Call
- HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC, Indirectly Managed Action by the ECCC (2027)
- Technology families
- Quantum key distribution (QKD), Quantum networks and repeaters, Quantum computing and simulation
Proposals are expected to 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…
Expected outcome, as the source words it (excerpt).
Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal, topic HORIZON-CL3-2027-02-CS-ECCC-04, Topic header (status, planned opening, deadlines), budget overview and type of action; search API record (read 2026-11-01). Back to the programme pipeline
Who can take part
Horizon Europe: collaborative research and innovation (general rules): Consortia need at least one independent legal entity in a Member State and two more in different Member States or associated countries; anyone else may join on top of that minimum. Work programmes may limit participation for strategic reasons (Article 22(5)).
Recorded for this topic: Member States and associated countries; entities controlled from non-eligible countries may not participate.
The topic restricts participation for entities controlled from outside the eligible countries; read its conditions.
| Countries | Can take part | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Only in some parts or topics | Not eligible for Innovation Actions, nor for Research and Innovation Actions outside the destinations the General Annexes list (none in Cluster 4); MIIT universities are excluded from all actions. | |
| EU Member States | Yes | Same conditions as entities in Member States, unless a topic restricts participation. | EU countries, Country list (27 pages) (read 2026-10-24) |
| Associated to the whole of Horizon Europe | Yes | Same conditions as entities in Member States, unless a topic restricts participation. | EU Grants: List of participating countries in Horizon Europe, version 4.2 of 7 October 2026, Page 1-2, "Third countries associated to Horizon Europe", entries 1-23 without a Pillar II limitation; Egypt from the 2025 budget, Switzerland from the 2025 budget, United Kingdom from the 2024 budget except the EIC Fund (read 2026-10-24) |
| Associated to Horizon Europe Pillar II only | Only in some parts or topics | Associated to Pillar II only (clusters, including Cluster 4 Digital, Industry and Space, and institutionalised partnerships); in other parts as a non-associated country. | EU Grants: List of participating countries in Horizon Europe, version 4.2 of 7 October 2026, Page 1-2, entries 4 (Canada, budget 2024 onwards), 10 (Japan, budget 2026 onwards), 14 (New Zealand, work programmes 2023 onwards) and 17 (Republic of Korea, budget 2025 onwards) (read 2026-10-24) |
| Low- to middle-income countries automatically eligible for Horizon Europe funding | Yes | Can participate; restricted topics may still exclude the country. | EU Grants: List of participating countries in Horizon Europe, version 4.2 of 7 October 2026, Page 3-4, "Participants from the following low- to middle-income countries are automatically eligible for funding" (read 2026-10-24) |
| Other countries | Yes, usually at own cost | Can join most calls on top of the consortium minimum, usually without EU funding (as a beneficiary at own cost or an associated partner), unless a topic restricts participation. |
Legal basis
- Any legal entity may participate, including from non-associated third countries (Article 22(1)); consortium minimum (Article 22(2)). Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, Article 22(1) and (2) (read 2026-10-24)
- Participation may be limited to Member States or to specified associated or other third countries for actions related to Union strategic assets, interests, autonomy or security; entities controlled from non-associated countries may be excluded (Article 22(5)). Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, Article 22(5) (read 2026-10-24)
- Entities in Member States and associated countries are eligible for funding; others bear their own costs unless low- to middle-income or exceptionally (Article 23). Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, Article 23(1) and (2) (read 2026-10-24)
- Associated countries, transitional arrangements and the low- to middle-income list. EU Grants: List of participating countries in Horizon Europe, version 4.2 of 7 October 2026, Pages 1-4 (read 2026-10-24)
- Restrictions on entities established in China. Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, part 15: General Annexes, Part 15, pages 6-7 (read 2026-10-24)
Rules checked 2026-10-24. Official list of participating countries. Who can participate?
Projects already funded
On this topic
None found in the stored CORDIS and Funding & Tenders projects.
Under the same call
None found in the stored CORDIS and Funding & Tenders projects.
In the same technology pillar (most recent first)
| Project | Start | Countries | Why listed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAQD: Hybrid Andreev Quantum Devices | 2027-09-01 | DK | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation (placed by the portal’s keyword rules). | CORDIS, snapshot 2026-10-16 |
| QBind: Quantum Nature of Binding | 2027-09-01 | DK | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation (placed by the portal’s keyword rules). | CORDIS, snapshot 2026-10-16 |
| RARE-Q: Rare-Event Probabilities as Probes of Quantum Thermodynamics and Order (RARE-Q) | 2027-09-01 | DE | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation (placed by the portal’s keyword rules). | CORDIS, snapshot 2026-10-16 |
| ELEVATE: Exascale, Quantum Computing and Machine Learning for Innovation in Sciences | 2027-03-01 | CH, CY, DE, ES, FI, FR, IT, NL | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation (confirmed by an editor). | CORDIS, snapshot 2026-10-16 |
| TURQUOISE: Towards fault tolerant quantum computation with noise-biased qubits | 2027-03-01 | FR | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation (confirmed by an editor). | CORDIS, snapshot 2026-10-16 |
| SpinCaT: Spin-Levitodynamics for Explorations at the Quantum-to-Classical Transition | 2027-02-01 | AT | Same technology pillar: Quantum communication (placed by the portal’s keyword rules). | CORDIS, snapshot 2026-10-16 |
| INSPIRES: Interconnected Spin Chains for Scalable Quantum Simulators | 2027-01-15 | NL | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation (confirmed by an editor). | CORDIS, snapshot 2026-10-16 |
| PHOTONIQC: A Photonic Quantum Computer | 2027-01-01 | AT, BE, DE, DK, FR, GB, IT, NL, PL, PT | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation (confirmed by an editor). | CORDIS, snapshot 2026-10-16 |
| COQUVAR: Controlling Quantum Vacuum Radiation: Transient Amplification and Squeezing in the Dynamical Casimir Effect | 2027-01-01 | AT | Same technology pillar: Quantum communication (placed by the portal’s keyword rules). | CORDIS, snapshot 2026-10-16 |
| QUASAR: Enabling Quantum Search for Axion with Magnetic field-Resistant qubits | 2027-01-01 | IT | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation (confirmed by an editor). | CORDIS, snapshot 2026-10-16 |
Candidate partner organisations
Organisations only, each with the documented reason it is listed: EU-funded projects in the topic’s pillars (public CORDIS data, through the funding finder’s partner rules), capabilities in the supplier directory (including curated company product pages) and company intelligence an editor verified. At most 3 per country, so the list spans countries. The organisations have not opted in to being suggested; contact them through their own websites.
| Organisation | Country | Documented capability and source |
|---|---|---|
| Erevnitiko Panepistimiako Institouto Systimaton Epikoinonion Kai Ypologiston | Greece |
|
| Ethniko Kai Kapodistriako Panepistimio Athinon | Greece |
|
| Id Quantique SA | Switzerland |
|
| Institut Mines-Telecom | France |
|
| Luxquanta Technologies SL | Spain |
|
| Quantum Space Systems GMBH | Germany |
|
| Quantum Technology Laboratories GMBH | Austria |
|
| Technische Universitat Berlin | Germany |
|
| Toshiba Europe Limited | United Kingdom |
|
| University of Galway | Ireland |
|
| Aalto Korkeakoulusaatio Sr | Finland |
|
| Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas | Spain |
|
| Airbus Defence and Space SAS | France |
|
| Akademia Gorniczo-Hutnicza Im. Stanislawa Staszica W Krakowie | Poland |
|
| Beit Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia | Poland |
|
National contact points
National support services that make Horizon Europe known and accessible to all potential applicants. Each Member State and associated country sets up, runs and finances its own NCP system with a national portal; the EU Funding & Tenders Portal lists the NCPs by country and programme.
Horizon Europe National Contact Points (NCPs) on the Funding & Tenders Portal
This portal holds no list of individual contact points by country, so none is named here.
Source: EU Grants: HE NCP Guide, V3.0, 15 December 2024, Introduction and section on national NCP systems, points (a) and (e): established, operated and financed under the responsibility of the Member States and Associated Countries; national Horizon Europe portal; Funding & Tenders Portal links (read 2026-10-22). Who does what in EU quantum governance
Infrastructure and access routes
| Facility | Country and host | Access | Why listed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CINECA Quantum Computing as a Service | IT, CINECA | Access mode documented | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation. | CINECA Quantum Computing Lab: Quantum Computing as a Service (read 2026-10-21) |
| Euro-Q-Exa | DE, Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) | Access mode documented | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation. | EuroHPC JU: Our quantum computers (read 2026-10-19) |
| EuroQCS-Spain | ES, Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) | Access mode documented | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation. | EuroHPC JU: Our quantum computers (read 2026-10-19) |
| Finnish Quantum-Computing Infrastructure (FiQCI) | FI, VTT, Aalto University and CSC – IT Center for Science | Access mode documented | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation. | FiQCI: Welcome (read 2026-10-21) |
| France Hybrid HPC Quantum Initiative (HQI) platform | FR, TGCC (CEA), with GENCI | Access mode documented | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation. | CEA TGCC: Quantum Computing at TGCC (read 2026-10-21) |
| JUNIQ | DE, Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) | Access mode documented | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation. | JSC: JUNIQ facility (read 2026-10-21) |
| LRZ Quantum Integration Centre (QIC) | DE, Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) | Access mode documented | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation. | LRZ: Quantum computing, Quantum Integration Centre (read 2026-10-21) |
| Lucy | FR, CEA | Access mode documented | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation. | EuroHPC JU: Our quantum computers (read 2026-10-19) |
| Piast-Q | PL, Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Center (PCSS) | Access mode documented | Same technology pillar: Quantum computing and simulation. | EuroHPC JU: Our quantum computers (read 2026-10-19) |
| QCINed | NL, Coordinated by Quantum Delta NL (Stichting QDNL, per the EU Funding & Tenders Portal), with TU Delft, TU Eindhoven, Q*Bird and RINIS | Access mode documented | Same technology pillar: Quantum communication. | Quantum Delta NL: QCINed, QCINed page: introduction ("We have deployed quantum-resistant communication networks") and the section saying the testbeds are open for testing, training and collaboration (read 2026-10-21) |
Access routes
- EuroHPC JU quantum access in pilot mode (EuroHPC Joint Undertaking). Gives access to Euro-Q-Exa, EuroQCS-Spain, Lucy, Piast-Q. Submit a proposal on the EuroHPC access portal, requesting QPU hours on a system within the range offered for the cut-off.
- JUNIQ access to quantum computers at Jülich (Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JUNIQ)). Gives access to JUNIQ. Choose exploratory access or a research allocation, check the conditions of the system, and request access through the JUNIQ access pages following the call and fact sheet.
- LRZ quantum computing service and consulting (Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ)). Gives access to LRZ Quantum Integration Centre (QIC). Send a service request through the LRZ service desk.
- FiQCI calls for academic projects (Finnish Quantum-Computing Infrastructure (FiQCI): VTT, Aalto University and CSC). Gives access to Finnish Quantum-Computing Infrastructure (FiQCI). Submit the call application form with an abstract, the contribution, the justification of resources and references, requesting QPU time and at least one classical resource and storage.
- CINECA quantum resources through ISCRA-C projects (CINECA). Gives access to CINECA Quantum Computing as a Service. Submit an ISCRA-C request giving the users and the minutes per month (D-Wave) or the experiment type and shots (Pasqal); the emulators run on the CINECA HPC systems.
- GENCI eDARI requests for French quantum resources (GENCI with CEA (TGCC)). Gives access to France Hybrid HPC Quantum Initiative (HQI) platform. Request time on the eDARI portal (dynamic or regular access); GENCI says CEA gives the details of the quantum application channel.
- QCINed quantum communication testbeds (Quantum Delta NL (QCINed)). Gives access to QCINed. Contact the QCINed team through the form on the page.
Standards and policy actions
Standards and specifications
- CEN/CLC/TR 18202:2025: Layer model of Quantum Computing. First JTC 22 deliverable; published 2025-09-03 (WI JT022004), prepared by WG 3. Standards scope COMPUTING, in the topic’s pillar.
- EAS 18433:2026: Quantum Computing - High-Level Programming Language. Published 2026-08-12 (WI JT022021). Standards scope COMPUTING, in the topic’s pillar.
- EAS 18434:2026: Quantum Computing - Roadmap for Post-Processing Software in Space. Published 2026-08-12 (WI JT022022). Standards scope COMPUTING, in the topic’s pillar.
- EAS 18435-1:2026: Quantum Computing - Hardware Abstraction Layer - Part 1: Descriptions and functional requirements. Published 2026-08-12 (WI JT022023). Standards scope COMPUTING, in the topic’s pillar.
- ETSI GS QKD 002: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD); Use Cases. V1.1.1 published 2010-06. Standards scope QKD, in the topic’s pillar.
- ETSI GS QKD 004: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD); Application Interface. V2.1.1 published 2020-08; V1.1.1 folder dated 2010-12 superseded by V2.1.1. Standards scope QKD, in the topic’s pillar.
- ETSI GS QKD 005: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD); Security Proofs. V1.1.1 published 2010-12; revision RGS/QKD-0005ed2 at stable draft 2026-06-09. Standards scope QKD, in the topic’s pillar.
- ETSI GS QKD 011: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD); Component characterization: characterizing optical components for QKD systems. V1.1.1 published 2016-05. Standards scope QKD, in the topic’s pillar.
Quantum Europe Strategy actions
- Amend the EuroHPC regulation to cover all quantum technologies. Research and innovation; target Q3 2025; status shown by the evidence: Delivered (evidence), checked 2026-10-22. Strategy area “Research and innovation”, listed for this programme by the portal’s rule.
- Move Horizon Europe quantum research and innovation into the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. Research and innovation; target Q3 2025; status shown by the evidence: In progress (evidence), checked 2026-10-22. Strategy area “Research and innovation”, listed for this programme by the portal’s rule.
- Pilot two Quantum Grand Challenges. Research and innovation; target 2025-2027; status shown by the evidence: In progress (evidence), checked 2026-10-22. Strategy area “Research and innovation”, listed for this programme by the portal’s rule.
- Present a proposal for a Quantum Act. Research and innovation; target 2026; status shown by the evidence: In progress (evidence), checked 2026-10-22. Strategy area “Research and innovation”, listed for this programme by the portal’s rule.
The type of action
| Fact | As the source states | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What it funds | A RIA consists mainly of activities to establish new knowledge or to explore the feasibility of a new or improved technology, product, process, service or solution; it can include basic and applied research, technology development and integration, and testing, demonstration and validation of a small-scale prototype in a laboratory or simulated environment. | Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Article 2, point (32) (read 2026-10-25) |
| Who applies | Unless the work programme provides otherwise, a consortium must include at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State and at least two other independent legal entities each established in different Member States or associated countries. | Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Article 22(2) (read 2026-10-25) |
| Funding rate | Up to 100% of total eligible costs may be reimbursed; the work programme fixes the maximum rate and a single rate applies per action. | Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Article 34(1)-(2) (read 2026-10-25) |
| Typical size | Example only: the Cluster 4 RIA topic HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-71 (Quantum Space Gravimetry) expects an EU contribution of EUR 14.00 to 15.00 million per project within a topic budget of EUR 29.20 million. | Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 7: Digital, Industry and Space, Part 7, HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-71, p. 244 (read 2026-10-25) |
| Technology readiness | The General Annexes define TRL 1 to TRL 9 for use where a topic requires a TRL; they do not attach a fixed TRL range to the RIA action type, so the range is set topic by topic. | Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 15: General Annexes, General Annex B, Technology Readiness Levels, p. 15 (read 2026-10-25) |
| Time to grant | By derogation from the Financial Regulation, Horizon Europe allows at most five months from the submission deadline to inform applicants of evaluation results and at most eight months to sign grant agreements; the work programme may set shorter periods. | Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Article 31(1)-(2) (read 2026-10-25) |
| Conditions | For actions related to Union strategic assets, interests, autonomy or security, the work programme may limit participation to entities in Member States or specified associated or third countries and, exceptionally, exclude entities controlled by non-associated third countries. | Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Article 22(5) (read 2026-10-25) |
Implementing body: European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) / DG CNECT for Cluster 4 digital topics; National Contact Points
Checklist of the proposal parts
The general conditions every proposal under the main work programme meets; where the topic conditions differ, they prevail. A checklist to plan the work, not a template.
- Registration: Every beneficiary and affiliated entity registers in the Participant Register for a participant identification code (PIC) before submitting; validation follows at grant preparation.
- Consortium: Check the consortium composition the topic requires; by default three independent legal entities in three different Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State.
- Part A (administrative forms): Filled in online: administrative information on the applicant organisations, the summarised budget and call-specific questions.
- Part B (technical description): Downloaded from the submission system, completed and re-uploaded as a PDF; it should follow the award criteria.
- Page limits: By default 40 pages for a full application, 25 for a coordination and support action, 65 for a programme co-fund action, 45 and 28 under lump sum funding and 10 for a first-stage application; excess pages are not evaluated.
- Exploitation and dissemination: A plan for the exploitation and dissemination of results, including communication activities, unless the topic says otherwise (not at the first stage of a two-stage call).
- Ethics: The ethics self-assessment is completed as part of the application.
- Gender equality plan: Public bodies, research organisations and higher education establishments from Member States and associated countries need a gender equality plan meeting the minimum requirements at grant signature.
- Financial and operational capacity: Stable and sufficient resources to carry out the action; operational capacity is assessed under the criterion "Quality and efficiency of the implementation".
- Award criteria: Excellence, Impact, and Quality and efficiency of the implementation, each scored out of 5 with a threshold of 3 and an overall threshold of 10; Impact weighs 1.5 in the ranking of innovation actions; only Excellence and Impact at the first stage of a two-stage call.
- Submission: Electronic submission through the Funding & Tenders Portal before the call deadline, with every part and mandatory annex; the coordinator confirms the mandate of all applicants.
- Consortium agreement: Participants conclude a written consortium agreement unless the call conditions say otherwise.
Source: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 15: General Annexes (read 2026-10-28).
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Download the starter pack (Word)
How the pack is made: the call facts come from the stored read of the Funding & Tenders Portal (or the work programme) of the programme pipeline; the other sections are matched on the topic’s identifier, call and the technology families the shared taxonomy finds in its text, with the rule shown next to each item. Assembled 2026-11-02.