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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to establish a universal, interoperable quantum computing ecosystem by developing a technology-agnostic software stack. It aims to seamlessly integrate quantum computing with classical computing systems, including High-Performance Computing (HPC) and cloud services, while demonstrating practical quantum computing applications and showcasing the added value of quantum acceleration.

Target Recipient Type: 'Legal entities' established in eligible countries (EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, UK).
Target Recipient Size: Not specified, open to a broad range of organizations.
SECTOR-SPECIFIC: Focuses on Quantum Computing, Digital Technologies, and related software development.
Geographic Scope: Applicants must be established in one of the specified eligible countries. Project activities may have broader impact.
Key Filtering Criteria: Proposals must focus on developing technology-agnostic software for quantum computing, demonstrate integration with classical computing, and foster collaboration with existing quantum initiatives.
Grant Frequency: Part of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, indicating a structured, potentially recurring funding opportunity within the broader Horizon Europe framework.

Financial Structure

Total budget allocated for this specific topic (HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02) is EUR 10,000,000.0.
The grant expects to fund 2 projects for this topic.
Minimum grant amount per project: EUR 5,000,000.0.
Maximum grant amount per project: EUR 5,000,000.0.
The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is 'HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based'.
Financial capacity requirements are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes (external reference).
The legal and financial set-up of the grants is described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes (external reference).

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type & Legal Structure

Eligible organizations are 'legal entities' established in specified eligible countries. No specific types (e.g., SME, NGO, university) are excluded or preferred, implying a broad range of public and private entities are eligible.

Geographic Location

Entities must be established in:
EU Member States: 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.
Associated Countries: Iceland, Norway, Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Exclusion: Entities established in an eligible country but directly or indirectly controlled by a non-eligible country or entity may not participate unless 'guarantees' are provided and positively assessed by their eligible country of establishment, demonstrating no negative impact on the Union's strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security.
'Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment' (or entities fully or partially owned or controlled by such suppliers) cannot submit these guarantees.

Capacity Requirements

Financial and operational capacity requirements apply, as described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes (reference document, not provided here).

Collaboration Requirements

Projects must ensure 'close collaboration' and 'agree on the interfaces' for the main layers of the software stack with existing Horizon Europe quantum computing software and hardware projects, and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking’s quantum projects.
Proposals are 'encouraged to build on, or seek collaboration with, existing projects' and develop 'synergies and complementarities' with other relevant European, national, or regional initiatives and funding programmes.

Application Process

Application Submission

Application opens: 2025-06-10.
Application deadline: 2025-10-02.
Submission procedure: Single-stage.
Application forms are specific to this call and available in the Submission System (standard application form for HE RIA, IA).
Submission requires authentication via EU Login or other third-party sign-in options.
To access existing draft proposals, applicants must log in to the Funding & Tenders Portal and navigate to the 'My Proposals' page.

Required Documentation & Materials

Proposal content, page limit, and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Further details on admissibility conditions, including page limits and layout, are in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
An 'Ownership Control Declaration' may be required.

Evaluation & Grant Agreement Timeline

An indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes (external reference).

Application Assistance & Support

General guidance is available via the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, and Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ.
Specific enquiries can be directed to the Research Enquiry Service.
Practical assistance and guidance on participation are offered by National Contact Points (NCPs) in eligible countries, including non-EU/non-associated countries.
Businesses, especially SMEs, can seek advice from the Enterprise Europe Network.
Technical support for the Funding & Tenders Portal (e.g., login issues, submission problems) is provided by the IT Helpdesk.
Guidance on Intellectual Property (IP) issues is available from the European IPR Helpdesk.
European Standards Organisations (CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk) offer advice on standardisation in project proposals.
The European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their recruitment provide principles for researchers, employers, and funders.
A 'Partner Search' function is available on the portal to help find collaborating organizations.

Evaluation Criteria

General Evaluation & Award Criteria

Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes (reference document, not provided here).
Submission and evaluation processes are detailed in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual (reference documents).

Project Quality & Relevance

Contribution to establishing a 'universal, interoperable quantum computing ecosystem' through a technology-agnostic software stack.
Seamless integration of quantum computing with classical computing systems, including HPC and cloud services (e.g., EuroHPC Joint Undertaking’s supercomputers).
Development of 'standardized software architectures, compilers, and simulators' that ensure application portability and performance across diverse quantum computing platforms.
Demonstration of 'practical quantum computing applications' and use cases showing 'added value of quantum acceleration' or 'quantum advantage'.
Development of 'workflows that effectively combine quantum and classical computing' to address complex computational challenges.

Project Impact

Contribution to Europe’s 'strategic autonomy' in digital and emerging technologies.
Strengthening processes in the semiconductor and quantum chips value chain.
Ensuring Europe’s microelectronics industry remains competitive.
Spreading excellence across Europe, with encouraged involvement of EU Widening Countries.

Implementation & Resources

The plan for 'close collaboration' with other relevant Horizon Europe and EuroHPC quantum projects, agreeing on open interfaces.
Commitment to utilizing 'open-source software platforms' and publishing developments in 'open repositories' (e.g., GitHub) where possible.
Use of 'appropriate software licenses' (e.g., Free Software Foundation, Open Source Initiative, EUPL).
Adherence to 'open access' principles for other research outputs (data, workflows) under the 'as open as possible and as closed as necessary' principle and 'FAIR' data principles.
Sufficiency of resources and capacity to deliver the proposed outcomes.

Cross-Cutting Themes

Integration of the 'gender dimension' (sex and/or gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not mandatory but 'strongly encouraged' if deemed relevant by proposers.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory & Software Compliance

All developments under this call should 'utilize open-source software platforms' where possible.
Developed software should be 'published in open repositories' such as GitHub.
The use of 'appropriate software licenses', such as those listed as free by the Free Software Foundation, open source by the Open Source Initiative, or under the European Union Public Licence (EUPL), is 'strongly recommended'.
Beneficiaries must ensure 'open access' to other research outputs (e.g., data, workflows) under the principle 'as open as possible and as closed as necessary', in accordance with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles.

Strategic Autonomy & Security Considerations

The grant aims to protect the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, and security, specifically avoiding 'technological dependency on a non-EU source'.
Entities from eligible countries but controlled by non-eligible countries/entities may face restrictions and require 'guarantees' to participate. These guarantees must demonstrate that:
Control over the applicant legal entity does not restrict its ability to carry out the action or deliver results.
Access by non-eligible countries to sensitive information is prevented, and involved personnel have national security clearance if appropriate.
Ownership of Intellectual Property (IP) and results remains within the recipient, is not controlled by non-eligible countries, and is not exported without approval.
'High-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment' (or entities they control) are explicitly barred from providing these guarantees and thus cannot participate under such circumstances.

Ethical Standards

While not mandatory, proposers are 'strongly encouraged to integrate' the 'gender dimension' (sex and/or gender analysis) into their research and innovation content if considered relevant for their proposal.

Collaboration & Interoperability

Projects are required to 'closely collaborate' and 'agree on the interfaces' for the main layers of the software stack with existing Horizon Europe quantum computing software and hardware projects, and EuroHPC Joint Undertaking quantum projects.
These interfaces must be 'open for consultation' and incorporate input from existing initiatives, ensuring alignment with current developments, and must be 'properly documented'.
Synergies with relevant projects funded under the Digital Europe Programme (DEP) are expected.

Grant Details