Post-quantum cryptography transition
HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
Basic Information
- Identifier
- HORIZON-CL3-2024-CS-01-02
- Programme
- Increased Cybersecurity 2024
- Programme Period
- 2021 - 2027
- Status
- Closed (31094503)
- Opening Date
- June 26, 2024
- Deadline
- November 19, 2024
- Deadline Model
- single-stage
- Budget
- €37,000,000
- Min Grant Amount
- €4,000,000
- Max Grant Amount
- €6,000,000
- Expected Number of Grants
- 6
- Keywords
- HORIZON-CL3-2024-CS-01-02HORIZON-CL3-2024-CS-01Cryptology (Cryptography and Cryptanalysis)Cybersecurity Research Domains Internet of Things, embedded systems, pervasive systemsMeasurement and assessment of security levels.Post-quantum cryptographySecurity
Description
Projects’ results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following outcomes:
- Increasing the maturity of current post-quantum cryptographic algorithms and contribution to further standardisation;
- Easy-to-use tools for the large-scale implementation of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, based on state-of-the-art standards;
- Secure and efficient transition from pre- to post-quantum encryption through tools implementing a hybrid approach combining recognised pre-quantum public key algorithms and additional post-quantum algorithms;
- Phase-in of post-quantum algorithms or protocols to new or existing applications;
- Demonstrators and good-practice implementations of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms on varied hardware and software platforms;
- Application-oriented recommendations for the widespread implementation of post-quantum cryptography across the EU.
The advent of large-scale quantum computers will compromise much of modern cryptography, which is instrumental in ensuring cybersecurity and privacy of the digital transition. Any cryptographic primitive based on the integer factorization and/or the discrete logarithm problems will be vulnerable to large-scale quantum-powered attacks. The digital data/products/systems that derive their security ultimately from the abovementioned primitives will be compromised and must be upgraded - including their replacement when needed- to quantum-resistant cryptography. The massive scale of this foreseen upgrade shows that preparations are needed today in order to widely implement the relevant mitigations in the future. Many companies and governments cannot afford to have their protected communications/data decrypted in the future, even if that future still seems distant. There is a need to advance swiftly in the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography.
Post-quantum resistant cryptographic algorithms should be deployable in a dynamic manner in order to quickly react to new quantum computer developments. Recommendations for post-quantum cryptography have already been published, but have to be maintained up-to-date, Proposals received under this topic should contribute to developing coordinated European recommendations for the transition to post-quantum cryptography across the EU.
The identification and analysis of potential regulatory aspects and barriers for the developed technologies/solutions is encouraged, where relevant.
Destination & Scope
Proposals for topics under this Destination should set out a credible pathway contributing to the following impact of the Strategic Plan 2021-2024: "Increased cybersecurity and a more secure online environment by developing and using effectively EU and Member States’ capabilities in digital technologies supporting protection of data and networks aspiring to technological sovereignty in this field, while respecting privacy and other fundamental rights; this should contribute to secure services, processes and products, as well as to robust digital infrastructures capable to resist and counter cyber-attacks and hybrid threats".
More specifically, proposals should contribute to the achievement of one or more of the following impacts:
- Strengthened EU cybersecurity capacities and European Union sovereignty in digital technologies
- More resilient digital infrastructures, systems and processes
- Increased software, hardware and supply chain security
- Secured disruptive technologies
- Smart and quantifiable security assurance and certification shared across the EU
- Reinforced awareness and a common cyber security management and culture.
All proposals of projects under this Destination should aim to be complementary and avoid overlaps with relevant actions funded by other EU instruments, including the European Defence Fund and its precursors (the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and the Preparatory Action on Defence research (PADR)), based on the information publicly available[1] and while maintaining a focus on civilian applications only.
In accordance with Article 5(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/887[2], and subject to a contribution agreement as defined in point (18) of Article 2 of the Financial Regulation, the European Commission entrusts the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre (ECCC) with the implementation of the Increased Cybersecurity 2023 call (HORIZON-CL3-2023-CS-01) and the Increased Cybersecurity 2024 call (HORIZON-CL3-2024-CS-01). This entrustment may take place as soon as the ECCC has reached its financial and operational autonomy expected in the third quarter of 2024.
[1] See for instance:
- relevant work programmes of the EDF (https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/european-defence-fund-edf_en) and of the DEP (https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/work-programmes-digital)
And information on ongoing projects of:
- the EDF (https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/edf)
- the DEP (https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/digital);
Visit the following links for more information on past projects of the:
[2] Regulation (EU) 2021/887 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and the Network of National Coordination Centres, OJ L 202, 8.6.2021, p. 1–31.
Eligibility & Conditions
General conditions
2. Eligible countries: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
In order to achieve the expected outcomes, and safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, and security, participation in this topic is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Associated Countries and OECD countries. Proposals including legal entities which are not established in these countries will be ineligible.
The following exceptions apply: subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
3. Other eligibility conditions: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes
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Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes
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Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual
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Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes
Specific conditions
7. Specific conditions: described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Documents
Call documents:
Standard application form — call-specific application form is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Standard evaluation form — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
MGA
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 6. Civil Security for Society
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 13. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
Support & Resources
Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.
Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.
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CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers.
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Latest Updates
Submissions to call HORIZON-CL3-2024-CS-01:
A total of 152 proposals has been submitted to call HORIZON-CL3-2024-CS-01, which closed on 20 November 2024. These proposals, for which the evaluation will be organized over the coming weeks and months, were submitted to the following topics:
HORIZON-CL3-2024-CS-01-01: Approaches and tools for security in software and hardware development and assessment - 103 proposals
HORIZON-CL3-2024-CS-01-02: Post-quantum cryptography transition – 49 proposals