Support standardisation for the EuroQCI (CSA)
DIGITAL-IRIS 2-2025-QCI-03
Funding Amount
€3.0M - €3.0M
Deadline
16/10/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Support standardisation for the EuroQCI (CSA) Call?
Grant Description
This call supports comprehensive standardization activities to develop interoperable quantum key distribution components, systems, and network applications for the European quantum communication infrastructure. It addresses the lack of harmonised standards, benchmarking tests and certification processes, aiming to build a solid industrial base and enable a technologically autonomous European quantum communication ecosystem. Expected outputs include sets of component and system standards, perform...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to deliver:
• Agreed sets of technical standards for QKD components and complete QKD systems
• Interoperable hardware and software specifications enabling end-to-end operation of national and cross-border quantum networks
• Defined performance requirements, benchmarking tests and metrics, plus monitoring protocols for QKD subsystems over their entire lifecycle
• Formalised assessment frameworks for the security and acceptance of QKD protocols, suitable for certification
• Standards and best practices for hybrid QKD/PQC deployments
• Strengthened European capacity for autonomous development, evaluation and certification of quantum communication technologies
• A clear roadmap for integrating QKD into the future EuroQCI infrastructure and broader ICT ecosystem
• Agreed sets of technical standards for QKD components and complete QKD systems
• Interoperable hardware and software specifications enabling end-to-end operation of national and cross-border quantum networks
• Defined performance requirements, benchmarking tests and metrics, plus monitoring protocols for QKD subsystems over their entire lifecycle
• Formalised assessment frameworks for the security and acceptance of QKD protocols, suitable for certification
• Standards and best practices for hybrid QKD/PQC deployments
• Strengthened European capacity for autonomous development, evaluation and certification of quantum communication technologies
• A clear roadmap for integrating QKD into the future EuroQCI infrastructure and broader ICT ecosystem
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Eligible proposals must deliver a comprehensive standardisation roadmap covering:
1. Component-Level Standards: single-photon and entanglement sources; QKD transmitters/receivers; detectors; ultra-low-loss optical fibres.
2. System-Level Performance: definition of performance criteria; benchmarking tests; quantitative metrics; environmental calibration protocols; real-time monitoring across device lifecycles.
3. Signal Multiplexing: specifications for integrating quantum channels with third-party classical channels and noise-compensation techniques.
4. Interfaces and APIs: software-hardware interface definitions; harmonised interoperable key management system APIs.
5. Network Operation: standardised procedures for routing, control, management, SDN interoperability and cross-border roaming in multi-domain QKD networks.
6. Hybrid QKD/PQC: frameworks for combining quantum key distribution with post-quantum cryptographic methods.
7. Protocol Certification: methodological standards for formal security assessments; criteria for certification bodies; processes for interdisciplinary evaluation.
8. Collaboration Models: stakeholder engagement strategies uniting industry, standardisation bodies, national authorities and accredited laboratories.
1. Component-Level Standards: single-photon and entanglement sources; QKD transmitters/receivers; detectors; ultra-low-loss optical fibres.
2. System-Level Performance: definition of performance criteria; benchmarking tests; quantitative metrics; environmental calibration protocols; real-time monitoring across device lifecycles.
3. Signal Multiplexing: specifications for integrating quantum channels with third-party classical channels and noise-compensation techniques.
4. Interfaces and APIs: software-hardware interface definitions; harmonised interoperable key management system APIs.
5. Network Operation: standardised procedures for routing, control, management, SDN interoperability and cross-border roaming in multi-domain QKD networks.
6. Hybrid QKD/PQC: frameworks for combining quantum key distribution with post-quantum cryptographic methods.
7. Protocol Certification: methodological standards for formal security assessments; criteria for certification bodies; processes for interdisciplinary evaluation.
8. Collaboration Models: stakeholder engagement strategies uniting industry, standardisation bodies, national authorities and accredited laboratories.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
1. Admissibility: proposals must adhere to page limits and layout rules (Part B of the Application Form).
2. Eligibility: participation restricted to entities from eligible countries; compliance with other eligibility criteria (section 6 of the call document).
3. Capacity: demonstrable financial and operational capacity; no grounds for exclusion (section 7).
4. Evaluation & Award: follows procedures in section 8; award criteria, scoring and thresholds in section 9; indicative timeline in section 4.
5. Grant Setup: legal and financial arrangements as per section 10; use of DIGITAL Action Grant Budget-Based [DIGITAL-AG] and DIGITAL-CSA models.
6. Submission: single-stage, electronic only; opening 15 July 2025; deadline 16 October 2025, 17:00 Brussels time; grant type cannot be changed once selected.
7. Documentation: mandatory use of call-specific application templates, detailed budget tables; adherence to EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509; reference to EU Secure Connectivity Programme (2023-2027) and Funding & Tenders Portal rules.
2. Eligibility: participation restricted to entities from eligible countries; compliance with other eligibility criteria (section 6 of the call document).
3. Capacity: demonstrable financial and operational capacity; no grounds for exclusion (section 7).
4. Evaluation & Award: follows procedures in section 8; award criteria, scoring and thresholds in section 9; indicative timeline in section 4.
5. Grant Setup: legal and financial arrangements as per section 10; use of DIGITAL Action Grant Budget-Based [DIGITAL-AG] and DIGITAL-CSA models.
6. Submission: single-stage, electronic only; opening 15 July 2025; deadline 16 October 2025, 17:00 Brussels time; grant type cannot be changed once selected.
7. Documentation: mandatory use of call-specific application templates, detailed budget tables; adherence to EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509; reference to EU Secure Connectivity Programme (2023-2027) and Funding & Tenders Portal rules.
Important dates
Open from: 15/07/2025
Deadline:16/10/2025
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