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Grant Details

Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

  • The core objective of this grant is to strengthen the EU-Republic of Korea Digital Partnership by fostering collaboration in quantum technologies.
  • It targets research organizations, universities, SMEs, and other public or private entities.
  • This grant is SECTOR-SPECIFIC, focusing exclusively on quantum technologies within the digital sector.
  • The geographic scope includes the European Union Member States and the Republic of Korea, with an emphasis on balanced involvement from both regions.
  • Key filtering criteria for initial screening are the focus on quantum technologies and the necessity of EU-ROK collaboration.
  • This is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), implying a focus on advancing technology readiness levels.

Financial Structure

  • The total budget allocated for this topic is 8,000,000 EUR.
  • The estimated minimum grant amount per project is 2,500,000 EUR.
  • The estimated maximum grant amount per project is 2,700,000 EUR.
  • The currency for funding is EUR.
  • The funding rate is not specified in this topic description; applicants should refer to the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes for standard RIA funding rates (typically up to 100% for non-profit and 70% for for-profit entities).
  • Eligible costs and financial reporting requirements are detailed in Annex G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Annotated Model Grant Agreement (AGA).

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type & Legal Structure
  • Eligible organization types include universities, research organizations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and larger enterprises.
  • Proposals should involve public and/or private partners.
Geographic Location Requirements
  • Participation requires entities from European Union Member States.
  • Participation also requires entities from the Republic of Korea (ROK) due to the nature of the digital partnership.
Partnership & Consortium Requirements
  • A consortium is expected, requiring 'balanced involvement of EU and ROK entities'.
  • Project consortia are encouraged to include partners with direct experience in relevant national, European, or international standards committees.
Technical Expertise & Infrastructure
  • Projects must address quantum technology challenges in quantum communication, computing, simulation, and sensing.
  • Expertise in various disciplines such as physics, engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, theory, algorithms, software, manufacturing, control, and infrastructures is required.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Specific exclusion criteria are detailed in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, covering financial and operational capacity and general exclusion grounds.

Application Process

Application Procedure and Timeline
  • The submission session became available on 2025-06-10.
  • The single-stage application deadline is 2025-10-02 00:00:00+0000.
  • Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Required Documentation and Materials
  • Proposals must adhere to the page limits and layout described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
  • Standard application forms (HE RIA, IA) are used.
Submission Format and Platform
  • Applications must be submitted via the Electronic Submission Service on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
  • Access to the submission system requires authentication (EU Login account or third-party sign-in).
Project Implementation and Reporting
  • Projects are expected to enhance the technology readiness level (TRL).
  • Specific reporting schedules and monitoring/evaluation requirements will be outlined in the Grant Agreement.

Evaluation Criteria

Excellence
  • Clarity and pertinence of the project's objectives.
  • Soundness of the proposed methodology, including interdisciplinary aspects where relevant.
  • Extent to which the project advances the state-of-the-art in quantum technologies.
  • Quality of the project team, including the balanced involvement of EU and ROK entities, and expertise.
  • Appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources.
Impact
  • Potential to strengthen the European quantum ecosystem and enhance quantum technology applications.
  • Contribution to improving information and expertise exchange between the EU and ROK.
  • Capacity to share best practices in deploying quantum technologies and integrating them with other technologies.
  • Facilitation of researcher and engineer exchanges between EU and ROK for mutual access to quantum infrastructures.
  • Enhancement of international cooperation between EU and ROK quantum communities, with a clear roadmap for future collaboration.
  • Contribution to spreading excellence across Europe, potentially through involvement of EU Widening Countries.
  • Clear definition of the 'benefit of EU-ROK collaboration' and its role in 'enhancing the technology readiness level (TRL)'.
Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation
  • Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, including appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources.
  • Appropriateness of the management structures and procedures, including risk management.
  • Appropriateness of the measures to maximize impact, including communication and dissemination plans.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance
  • Projects must comply with general conditions outlined in Annex A to G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
  • Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
Ethical Standards
  • Ethical standards and requirements are described in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
  • While not mandatory, proposers are encouraged to integrate the gender dimension (sex and/or gender analysis) in research and innovation content if relevant to their proposal.
Intellectual Property Policies
  • Intellectual property policies are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Annotated Model Grant Agreement (AGA).
Special Considerations
  • Strong emphasis on 'Digital Partnerships' and 'cooperation' between EU and Republic of Korea (ROK).
  • Projects should contribute to 'spreading excellence' within the EU, for instance, by involving entities from EU Widening Countries.
  • Proposals are recommended to link to the activities of relevant standards development organizations, and the inclusion of partners with experience in standardization is encouraged.
  • The grant encourages collaboration and cross-fertilization between disciplines for new approaches in microelectronics, power electronics, photonics, unconventional computing, and novel systems/infrastructure architectures.

Grant Details

quantum technologies quantum optics quantum information theoretical computer science formal methods digital partnership international cooperation research and innovation hardware-software co-design quantum computing quantum simulation quantum communication quantum sensing cybersecurity trl enhancement eu-rok collaboration digital economy semiconductor microelectronics photonics artificial intelligence advanced materials
Supporting Digital Partnerships in Quantum technologies (RIA)
HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03
Horizon Europe
UNIVERSITY SME ENTERPRISE NGO OTHER
AT BE BG HR CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE KR
TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT EARLY_MARKET
OTHER
SDG9 SDG17
FUNDING RESEARCH_DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY_BUILDING NETWORKING
8000000.00
2500000.00
2700000.00
EUR
None
Oct. 2, 2025, midnight
None