Framework Partnership Agreements in Quantum Communications (FPA)
Summary
Cluster 4 promotes investments that will shape competitive and trusted technologies for a European industry enabling production and consumption to respect the planet’s boundaries and maximising the benefits for all parts of society in the variety of social, economic and territorial contexts in Europe. This will build a competitive, digital, low-carbon and circular industry, ensure sustainable supply of raw materials, develop advanced materials and provide the basis for advances and innovation in global challenges to society.
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Call
Detailed Call Description
Proposals for the first FPA (on “building the Quantum Internet”) should focus on the development of a quantum internet interconnecting quantum computers, simulators and sensors via quantum networks. These quantum networks should allow long-distance (>500 kilometres) entanglement-based quantum communication involving quantum memories, and will be inter-liked via a fully functional prototype of quantum repeaters. The FPA proposal should also address the proper functioning of a platform-independent software and network stack for managing and programming the quantum communication network consisting of at least two quantum computing nodes with quantum memories.
Proposals for the second FPA (on “quantum encryption and future quantum network technologies”) should focus on the development of (i) a robust, non-dependent and sustainable supply chain of future-proof Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technologies; (ii) integration and interoperability in cybersecurity systems and classical communication networks based on optical fibre networks; and (iii) the development of the next generation of quantum communication systems (e.g., device-independent, twin field QKD) with improved performance and security protocols, and increased deployability through miniaturisation, compared to the first generation of QKD systems. Proposals should advance quantum network technologies in the above mentioned areas with the aim to achieve improved performances (e.g., higher key rates, fidelities, link distances, robustness, …), post-processing of key generation, key management, including interface to security applications (point-to-point link), achieving higher level system integration and robustness, combining quantum network technologies with conventional network infrastructures (including infrastructures based on post-quantum cryptographic technologies) and applications for point-to-multipoint links, including new protocols, applications and software and interface management between space and ground infrastructures.
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Participation is limited to:
- The consortia responding to the call may include research institutes, universities, RTOs, foundations, industry, SMEs as well as other organisations that can play a role in the realisation of Quantum Communication Technologies.
- Legal entities established in Member States, Iceland, Norway, Israel and the United Kingdom. The eligibility of entities established in the UK to participate is conditional upon reciprocity of access to equivalent UK programmes for entities established in Member States, which will be assessed by the Commission as soon as such programmes are established and in any event before the signature of the grant agreements. Should the UK not open the participation in its relevant programmes to entities established in Member States, this condition would not be met and entities established in the UK will not be eligible to participate in this topic. (further details in the work programe)
Programme Category
EU Competitive ProgrammesThematic Categories
- Industry
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Educational Institutions
- Large Enterprises
- NGOs
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
Call Opening Date
28/10/2021Call Closing Date
27/01/2022National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
29a Andrea Michalakopoulou Street, 1075 Nicosia
T.Th. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
+357 22205000
Email: support@research.org.cy
Dr Angelos Ntantos
Scientific Officer
Telephone: 35722205033
Email: antantos@research.org.cy
Dr Ioannis Theodorou
Scientific Officer
Telephone: 35722205038
Email: itheodorou@research.org.cy
(Publish Date: 02/12/2021-for internal use only)
EU Contact Point
Εuropean Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/research-and-innovation_en#contact