Investigate quantum sensing and computing applied to ATM
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See in 5 min if you're eligible for Investigate quantum sensing and computing applied to ATM offering max €14.0M funding💰 Funding Details
Funding Description – HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-3
Grant at a Glance
* Programme / Partnership: Horizon Europe – SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking
* Type of Action: HORIZON-JU-RIA (Research & Innovation Action) – Lump-Sum Model (HORIZON-AG-LS)
* Call Identifier & Topic: HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-3 – “Investigate quantum sensing and computing applied to ATM”
* Indicative EU Contribution per Project: up to €14 million (100 % of eligible lump-sum costs)
* Opening Date: 01 April 2025 | Deadline: 16 September 2025, 17:00 (CET) – single-stage submission
What the Grant Funds
* Fundamental & applied research delivering TRL 1-4 knowledge on:
* Quantum Computing (QC) or Quantum Annealing proof-of-concepts addressing ATM NP-hard problems (trajectory optimisation, DCB, separation, contingency, etc.).
* Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) transition roadmaps and demonstrators for ATM ground-ground & air-ground links, incl. migration plans toward QKD/EuroQCI.
* Quantum Sensing (QS) concepts for A-PNT, resilient navigation, and other validated ATM use-cases (e.g., C-UAS, datalink resilience).
* Cross-cutting enablers such as AI/ML acceleration, simulator coupling, cyber-security, standardisation input, and regulatory impact studies.
* Consortium management, dissemination, exploitation, standardisation & ESG activities are eligible under the lump-sum.
Who Can Apply
* Consortia of ≥3 independent legal entities from ≥3 different EU / Associated Countries (per Horizon Europe rules).
* Universities, research & technology organisations (RTOs), SMEs, large industry, ANSPs, airlines, airport operators, drone operators, cyber-security specialists, quantum hardware/software start-ups, standards bodies, and public authorities are encouraged.
* Participants from non-EU / non-Associated Countries may join if they secure own funding and respect EU security restrictions on communication networks.
* Projects must comply with SESAR 3 JU conditions, incl. IPR, open science, and ethics (e.g., dual-use quantum technologies).
Key Financial & Legal Points
* Lump-Sum Grant: the budget is fixed at proposal stage; payment linked to achievement of agreed work-package deliverables, not to cost reporting.
* Funding Rate: 100 % for all beneficiaries (no differentiation between non-profits & for-profits).
* Security Restrictions: topic falls under “protection of European communication networks”; proposals may be subject to security scrutiny and need an EU-based data-hosting strategy.
* Sub-contracting & in-kind contributions are allowed if described and priced ex-ante in the lump-sum table.
* Cumulative Funding: prohibited – no double funding with other EU programmes (Digital Europe, EDF, etc.).
* IPR & Data: SESAR 3 JU rules require foreground results to be exploitable in Europe and accessible for SESAR Digital European Sky architecture studies.
📊 At a Glance
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🇪🇺 Strategic Advantages
EU-wide Strategic Advantages & Opportunities for "Investigate quantum sensing and computing applied to ATM" (HORIZON-SESAR-2025-DES-ER-03-WA1-3)
Single Market Access
- Tap into a harmonised airspace covering 450+ million citizens, 27 Member States and the EFTA area, maximising commercial uptake of quantum-enabled Air Traffic Management (ATM) solutions (e.g. post-quantum cryptography modules, quantum-enhanced trajectory optimisation engines).
- Uniform EU aviation safety and cybersecurity rules (EASA, NIS 2, EU Cyber-Resilience Act) reduce market-entry friction—one certification opens doors to the entire Single European Sky (SES) market.
- Early compliance positions beneficiaries to supply Eurocontrol Network Manager, ANSPs and drone U-space service providers across Europe, accelerating revenue generation once quantum-ready infrastructure matures.
Cross-Border Collaboration & Knowledge Exchange
- Consortium building rule (min. 3 legal entities from 3 countries) encourages teaming of quantum labs (e.g. QuTech NL, IQOQI AT) with ATM stakeholders (ANSPs, airlines, OEMs) and cybersecurity SMEs, creating multidisciplinary value chains.
- Access SESAR 3 JU’s network of 100+ members/partners, Joint Undertaking working groups and Living Labs to co-create, test and validate quantum demonstrators in multiple Member States’ airspace.
- Facilitate staff mobility via Horizon Marie Skłodowska-Curie and COST actions, nurturing a pan-European talent pool in quantum software, post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and inertial quantum sensors.
Alignment with EU Policies & Strategic Agendas
- Green Deal & “Fit-for-55”: Quantum-accelerated trajectory and traffic-flow optimisation directly reduce CO₂, NOx and contrail-induced climate impact.
- Digital Europe & European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI): Project outputs feed into the deployment of a sovereign, quantum-safe communication backbone for ATM.
- EU Cybersecurity Strategy & NIS 2 Directive: Road-mapping PQC in ATM supports the EU’s push for quantum-resilient critical infrastructure.
- Strategic Compass for Security & Defence: Quantum inertial A-PNT enhances resilience against GNSS denial in civil-military interoperability scenarios.
Regulatory Harmonisation & Standards Leadership
- Influence upcoming EUROCAE, CEN-CENELEC and ETSI standards for PQC, quantum sensing and U-space integration—early participation secures competitive edge.
- Contribute evidence to EASA task forces on A-PNT and cybersecurity means-of-compliance, shaping proportionate, EU-wide rules instead of fragmented national requirements.
- Support SESAR 3 JU’s master planning, embedding quantum readiness within future Common Project (CPx) Implementing Regulations under the Single European Sky framework.
Leverage of the EU Innovation Ecosystem
- Synergise with flagship quantum initiatives: Quantum Flagship (1 billion €), Chips Act KDT JU, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) specialised in HPC/quantum.
- Access world-class RTOs (Fraunhofer, VTT, CEA-Leti) for prototyping quantum sensors or annealers; leverage PRACE & EuroHPC supercomputers for hybrid quantum-classical simulation.
- Engage with European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition & Accelerator schemes for downstream commercialisation of project outputs.
Funding Synergies & Blending Opportunities
- Combine SESAR lump-sum grant with:
• EuroHPC Joint Undertaking credits for quantum emulators.
• Digital Europe Programme (DEP) calls on EuroQCI pilots.
• Connecting Europe Facility (CEF2) Transport for large-scale ATM deployment.
• InvestEU & EIB loans for scale-up of quantum sensor manufacturing.
- Alignment with national Recovery & Resilience Facility (RRF) plans funding airport digitalisation, boosting co-investment rates.
Scale, Deployment & Impact
- EU-wide validation through SESAR Very Large-Scale Demonstrations (VLDs) enables Technology Readiness Level (TRL) leaps and faster market adoption.
- Harmonised procurement via joint ANSP purchasing platforms increases order volumes, lowering per-unit cost of quantum-enabled ATM equipment.
- Interoperable, open standards allow replication to non-EU partners via EU-led ICAO and Eurocontrol fora, extending impact globally.
Unique EU-Scale Strategic Value
- Only the EU offers a continental testbed with unified airspace regulations, pan-European HPC/quantum infrastructure and coordinated cybersecurity mandates—conditions unattainable at purely national level.
- Project results will reinforce European technological sovereignty in quantum tech for civil aviation, reducing dependency on non-EU suppliers and strengthening the resilience of the Single European Sky.
🏷️ Keywords
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