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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

Grant's core objective is to prepare the scientific community for the exploitation of Quantum Space Gravimetry (QSG) mission data by fostering robust EU-Japan cooperation in quantum sensing from space. This includes developing new algorithms and applications for enhanced QSG data. This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant focused on space technology, quantum sensing, gravimetry, and Earth science. Target recipients are scientific communities, research institutions, and organizations involved in R&D in EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and Japan. The geographic scope specifically requires collaboration between EU/Associated Countries and Japan. Key filtering criteria include a strong focus on QSG, a mandatory EU-Japan consortium, and research and innovation activities. This is a specific topic within the HORIZON-CL4-2025-02 call, with a single project expected to be funded.

Financial Structure

Funding is provided as a lump sum contribution.
The expected number of grants for this specific topic is 1.
Minimum grant amount per project is EUR 450,000.
Maximum grant amount per project is EUR 500,000.
The total budget allocated for this topic is EUR 500,000.
Currency for all financial figures is EUR.
Eligible costs within the lump sum can include personnel costs (employees, natural persons under direct contract, seconded persons, SME owners/natural person beneficiaries), subcontracting costs, purchase costs (travel, subsistence, equipment, other goods/services), and other specific cost categories (e.g., financial support to third parties, internally invoiced goods/services, access to research infrastructure).
Indirect costs are calculated at a flat rate of 25% applied to eligible direct costs, and this is integrated into the lump sum calculation.
Matching fund requirement: Japanese entities participating in the consortium are required to self-fund their activities at a level equivalent to the EU contribution.
Payments are directly tied to the proper implementation and completion of defined work packages, not actual incurred costs.
Financial reporting: Beneficiaries are not required to report actual costs. Audits and checks focus on the technical completion of work packages.
A pre-financing amount will be provided, with 5-8% of the total lump sum retained for the Mutual Insurance Mechanism.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type

Any legal entity established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country is eligible to receive funding.
At least one legal entity established in Japan is required for the consortium.
'Scientists' from EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are the primary beneficiaries of funding.

Consortium Requirements

A mandatory consortium must be formed.
The consortium MUST include at least one legal entity established in Japan.

Geographic Eligibility (for funding)

Entities from EU Member States are eligible for funding: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Entities from Horizon Europe Associated Countries are also eligible for funding (specific list not provided in the grant text).
Note: While Japanese entities are a required part of the consortium, they are expected to fund their own activities at a level equivalent to the EU contribution; they do not receive direct funding from Horizon Europe under this specific grant.

Technical and Data Requirements

If projects utilize satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation, or related timing data and services, beneficiaries are REQUIRED to use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS data/services. Additional data and services may be used.

Exclusion Criteria

Proposals that do not include at least one legal entity established in Japan within the consortium will be considered ineligible.
Projects are subject to unspecified restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.

Application Process

Application Deadline

The submission deadline for proposals is 2025-09-25 00:00:00+0000 (Midnight UTC).

Submission Process

Applications follow a single-stage submission procedure.
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal's Electronic Submission Service.
Applicants must correctly select the 'HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions' type of action and the 'HORIZON Lump Sum Grant' model grant agreement within the submission system.
Existing draft proposals can be accessed and managed through the 'My Proposals' page in the 'My Area' section of the portal.

Required Documentation

A specific application form for this call is available in the Submission System.
A detailed budget table (HE LS) must be prepared and submitted, outlining the proposed lump sum amount, broken down by work package and per beneficiary/affiliated entity.
Proposals must include a formal declaration by beneficiaries confirming that they have adhered to their own accounting practices when preparing the estimated budget.
The evaluation will utilize standard evaluation form templates (HE RIA, IA).

Support Availability

Comprehensive guidance is available through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, and the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ section.
Applicants can contact the Research Enquiry Service for general inquiries about European research funding.
National Contact Points (NCPs) are available in EU and many non-EU countries to provide guidance and assistance.
The Enterprise Europe Network offers advice, particularly for SMEs.
Technical assistance for the Funding & Tenders Portal (e.g., login issues, submission problems) is provided by the IT Helpdesk.
Support for intellectual property matters is available from the European IPR Helpdesk.
Guidance on standardisation in project proposals can be obtained from the CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct provide principles for researchers, employers, and funders.
A Partner Search tool is available on the portal to help find suitable collaborating organizations.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation is conducted based on standard Horizon Europe procedures, focusing on Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation. Excellence

Scientific quality of the proposed research related to Quantum Space Gravimetry (QSG).
Innovation of proposed algorithmic solutions for QSG data exploitation.
Thorough discussion and analysis of the expected QSG mission performance.

Impact

Contribution to EU space policy objectives.
Alignment and support for the EU Green Deal.
Effectiveness in fostering EU-Japan cooperation in the field of quantum sensing from space.
Ability to enable scientists from both the EU and Japan to prepare for the exploitation of QSG mission data.
Identification and addressing of Earth science fields that are of mutual interest to both EU and Japan.
Integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content, where relevant to the objectives of the research effort.

Quality and Efficiency of Implementation

Detailed estimation of costs (lump sum budget) will be rigorously checked against relevant benchmarks, such as market prices, statistical data, and historical data from comparable actions.
Assessment of whether the proposed resources and the breakdown of lump sum shares per work package are sufficient to achieve the stated activities and expected outputs.
Verification that proposals include a declaration from beneficiaries stating they have followed their own accounting practices for budget preparation.
Overall quality and suitability of the proposed activities and resources for each work package.
Appropriateness and strength of the consortium composition to ensure successful collaboration and project delivery.

Cross-cutting Priorities

Alignment and contribution to the cross-cutting themes of 'EC-WORLD' (international cooperation), 'AI' (Artificial Intelligence), and 'Digital Agenda' are considered.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Data Usage Compliance

Projects are required to use data from Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS if they involve satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation, or related timing data. Other data and services can be used supplementarily.

Intellectual Property (IP) Policies

The management of intellectual property is a key aspect subject to monitoring through checks, reviews, or audits during the grant lifecycle.

Ethical Standards

Adherence to ethical standards and principles of research integrity is mandatory and will be subject to verification.
The integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) into research and innovation content is expected to be addressed, but only if it is relevant to the specific objectives of the research effort.

Risk Management

Compliance with grant conditions will be verified at various stages, including grant preparation, during implementation, and post-completion through technical checks, reviews, or audits.
In cases where the conditions for payment of lump sum contributions per work package are not met (e.g., incomplete work packages), the grant may be reduced, or any undue payments recovered.

Strategic Considerations

The grant aims to reinforce the EU's 'open strategic autonomy' in space by developing, deploying, and utilizing global space-based infrastructures, services, applications, and data.
Participation is subject to restrictions related to the protection of European communication networks, although specific details of these restrictions are not provided within the grant document.
The project must align with the cross-cutting priorities of 'EC-WORLD' (emphasizing international cooperation), 'AI' (Artificial Intelligence), and the 'Digital Agenda'.
A crucial and unique aspect is the mandatory inclusion of at least one legal entity established in Japan within the consortium, highlighting a focus on international collaboration with specific partners.

Grant Details