EIC Pathfinder Challenge: Alternative approaches to Quantum Information Processing, Communication, and Sensing
HORIZON EIC Grants
Basic Information
- Identifier
- HORIZON-EIC-2022-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-06
- Programme
- EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2022
- Programme Period
- 2021 - 2027
- Status
- Closed (31094503)
- Opening Date
- June 16, 2022
- Deadline
- October 19, 2022
- Deadline Model
- single-stage
- Budget
- €167,000,000
- Min Grant Amount
- €500,000
- Max Grant Amount
- €2,500,000
- Expected Number of Grants
- 50
- Keywords
- Hardware technology (RFID, chips, sensors, etc.)Computer hardware and architectureComputing TechnologiesData Science and Data AnalyticsModeling, Simulations & Destination CharacterizatiComputingSoftware Design & DevelopmentMaterials engineering (biomaterials, metals, ceramPharmaceuticalsMaterial scienceData and image processingHealthcare systemSimulation and design toolsScientific computing, simulation and modelling tooData integrityData usage controlData engineeringQuantum ChemistryElectronics for instruments and sensorsSimulation engineering and modellingQuantum optics and quantum informationDigital AgendaSimulation tools and technologiesInstrumentation, measurement, and metrologyPharmaceutical developmentBiomedical softwareMacroscopic quantum phenomena: superconductivity,SuperconductivityQuantum Technologies (computing/communication)PATHFINDERCHALLENGESPATHFINDER CHALLENGES
Description
The Quantum Flagship is currently focused on mainstream quantum technologies, in qubit implementation, sensors and other areas. Nevertheless, alternative implementations/platforms and so far, unexploited (controllable) quantum principles exist and could become key elements in future quantum systems. Such new implementations and principles could lead to breakthrough innovations and enable new players to offer unique solutions for the architecture and critical building blocks of new quantum systems. This could represent a significant opportunity for European researchers and companies in this competitive field.
The scope of this call is to develop innovative approaches to encoding, manipulating, or storing information in quantum objects, or to exploiting quantum phenomena for information processing, communication, and sensing in a way that differs from the mainstream approaches currently being pursued in quantum research. Proposals should clearly identify the limits of the current quantum information processing paradigms they are trying to improve upon and propose relevant metrics to track progress and demonstrate success or a superior paradigm compared with conventional quantum information processing approaches.
Specific objectives
The proposals under this EIC Pathfinder Challenge:
- are expected to contribute to the development of information processing, communication or sensing components, for terrestrial or space applications, exhibiting similar advantages to the mainstream quantum technology approaches, in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, energy efficiency, etc;
- should describe how their proposed information processing or communication system would be controlled and could lead to the development of an information processing or communication device using a non-classical information theory approach;
- should aim to show how information processing or communications principles and architectures would be developed that demonstrate a clear and quantifiable advantage with respect to classical approaches and mainstream quantum technology alternatives. This should be applicable to a class of relevant problems or applications;
- should show how the foundations for novel approaches to encoding, manipulating, and storing information that could lead to practical applications would be established. Such novel approaches could find their roots in, for example, new phases of matter, exotic physical systems, biological systems, or other approaches;
- should describe how the proposed information processing or communication system would be controlled, programmed, and measured and should address relevant interfacing aspects.
Expected outcomes and impacts
This EIC Pathfinder Challenge aims at the following:
- technology breakthroughs that form the basis for future information processing, communication, and sensing technologies on ground and in space;
- synergetic collaboration with existing European platforms, infrastructures, and innovation eco-systems in quantum technology;
- increased diversity of information processing technologies platforms exploiting non-classical information theory approaches.
The activity must clearly achieve the proof of principle and validate the scientific basis of the breakthrough technology (TRL starting at 2 and reaching 3-4). Proposals are expected to demonstrate collaboration in order to create a critical mass of cooperation between EU research, industry and other relevant actors in the emerging area of quantum information processing. The overall goals are to enable new players to offer unique solutions as building blocks for new information processing or communication systems, and to foster the interdisciplinary communities and innovation eco-systems that are driving this forward.
For more details, see the EIC Work Programme 2022 and Challenge Guide for this topic (available on call opening).
Cross-cutting Priorities:Digital Agenda
Eligibility & Conditions
1. Admissibility conditions: In order to apply, your proposal must meet the general eligibility requirements (see Annex 2) as well as possible specific eligibility requirements for a specific Challenge. Please check for particular elements (e.g. specific application focus or technology) (Please see TOPIC DESCRIPTION above).
The EIC Pathfinder Challenges support collaborative research and innovation from consortia or proposals from single legal entities established in a Member State or an Associated Country (unless stated otherwise in the specific challenge chapter). In case of a consortium your proposal must be submitted by the coordinator on behalf of the consortium that includes at least two independent legal entities. Consortia of two entities must be comprised of independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries. Consortia of three or above entities follow standard rules i.e. they must include at least one legal entity established in a Member State and at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries (see Annex 3). The legal entities may for example be universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups, natural persons. In the case of single beneficiary projects, mid-caps and larger companies will not be permitted.
Your proposal will only be evaluated if it is admissible and eligible. The standard admissibility and eligibility conditions are detailed in Annex 2 and the eligibility of applicants from third countries in Annex 3 of the EIC Work Programme 2022.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Sections 1 to 3 of the part B of your proposal, corresponding respectively to the award criteria Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation, must consist of a maximum of 25 A4 pages. Excess pages will be automatically made invisible, and will not be taken into consideration by the evaluators. Please also consult Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2022.
2. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2022.
3. Evaluation and award:
Submission and evaluation processes: described in Section II.2 of the EIC Work Programme 2022 and the Online Manual.
Award criteria, scoring and thresholds: described in Section II.2 of theEIC Work Programme 2022.
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Section II.2 of theEIC Work Programme 2022.
You will be informed about the outcome of the evaluation within 5 months from the call deadline (indicative), and, if your proposal is accepted for funding, your grant agreement will be signed by 8 months after call deadline (indicative).
4. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Please refer to the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) used for EIC actions under Horizon Europe
Call document and annexes:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Standard Application Form (EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2022)
Model Grant Agreement (MGA) used for EIC actions under Horizon Europe
Additional documents:
EU Financial Regulation 2018/1046
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms & Conditions
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Template for essential information to be provided for proposals including clinical studies
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