Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: September 15, 2027 | September 14, 2027
Funding Amounts: ~€4,000,000 total for this topic; expected grant size is around €4,000,000 (single award anticipated).
Summary: Supports research on new cryptographic primitives and protocols for secure, scalable hybrid classical-quantum and quantum networks.
Key Information: Participation is restricted to entities in EU Member States or Associated Countries not under foreign control.
Description
This Horizon Europe call funds foundational and applied research into cryptographic primitives and protocols that extend beyond Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), targeting the next generation of hybrid classical-quantum and fully quantum networks. The focus is on developing quantum analogues of classical cryptographic tools, inventing new primitives for practical applications, and integrating solutions from various cryptographic approaches (including post-quantum cryptography) to address real-world security needs.
The action encourages collaboration between quantum science and applied cryptography experts to:
- Design and analyze quantum cryptographic primitives and protocols,
- Critically assess their security and performance compared to classical methods,
- Explore new paradigms for secure and trusted quantum networks,
- Develop a technical and research roadmap for quantum cryptography and network functionalities.
Proposals should demonstrate a balanced consortium, combining expertise in quantum information science and real-world cryptography, and address both near-term hybrid and long-term quantum network scenarios.
