Cybersecure tools, technologies and services relying on AI

Expected Outcome: This action will advance Europe’s leadership in trapped-ion quantum computing by achieving the following key outcomes: Establishment of a full-stack ion-trap quantum computer aiming at more than 1.000 qubits, fully integrated into high-performance computing (HPC) systems, and accessible via the cloud. Demonstration of quantum advantage for selected real-world applications, validated against benchmarks. Strengthened European capabilities to develop modular, interoperable, and scalable quantum computing architectures. Implementation and demonstration of advanced error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computing techniques. Integration of full-stack hardware-software systems with standardised and certified interfaces. Engagement with industry and academia through open access to quantum computing resources and co-design of applications. Scope: The action should support the scale-up of European trapped-ion quantum computing platforms, aiming at technological maturity and usability for industrial and scientific applications. In particular, the action must address at least two major technical roadblocks defined in the Strategic Research and Industry Agenda (SRIA…

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Public authorities, industry, technology providers, energy producers and consumers profit from de-risking of cost-effective essential value chains of those renewable fuel technologies that can contribute to domestic commercial fuel production beyond 2030 customized to their needs, from improved access to better financing exploiting synergies across funding schemes, and from more effective market uptake, business models, increased competitiveness, and commercialization opportunities. Energy producers, clean tech manufacturing industries, researchers and consumers benefit from improved performance, lower environmental impact, security and competitiveness of ad-hoc renewable fuel technologies compared to existing ones, as well as new market opportunities. Community, public authorities and industry benefit from sharing the de-risking cost and reducing it by engaging several competing solution suppliers/technology providers in parallel, boosting transnational public and private investments in de-risking and attracting new players to tackle supplier lock-in issues The implementation…

Expected Outcome: This action will establish a pan-European open-access testing and experimentation infrastructure for quantum technologies, enabling systematic validation and certification of quantum components and systems. Expected outcomes include: Deployment of distributed quantum testing facilities accessible across Europe, including remote access and standardized test protocols. Provision of certification services aligned with future standardisation efforts, ensuring trust, quality, and interoperability of quantum technologies. Support for SMEs, start-ups, and research institutions in validating quantum components and sub-systems. Strengthening of Europe’s competitiveness by ensuring robust quality assurance mechanisms and accelerating the time-to-market of emerging quantum products. Scope: The proposal should implement the testing-related part of the action plan established under the Framework Partnership Agreement for Qu-Test. The action must include: Expansion and interconnection of open-access testing facilities in multiple Member States, covering a range of quantum technologies (e.g., processors, sensors, photonics, control systems). Development and deployment of…

Expected Outcome: This action will strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy in quantum-secure communications by advancing core QKD technologies and integration capabilities. Expected results include: Development and demonstration of next-generation QKD systems, with a focus on cost-effectiveness and integration, with specific measurable improvements in one of the following parameters or features: (i) key rate (>1 Mbps over metropolitan distances), (ii) operational coverage of a network at the regional scale, >300 km for fibre-based QKD, including e.g. twin field and free-space links also for non-wired segments and for redundancy, (iii) development and demonstration of advanced quantum cryptographic protocols beyond QKD with provable security advantage over classical cryptographic systems. Implementation of hybrid quantum-classical cryptographic frameworks combining QKD and post-quantum cryptography (PQC), tested on clearly defined real-world applications. Integration of quantum communication components with network equipment and orchestration systems (e.g., software-defined networking). Validation of QKD-based security in high-priority use cases beyond EuroQCI infrastructure,…

Expected Outcome: The expected outcomes of this topic are : A common EU evaluation platform for AI chips and racks, with transparent KPIs, workloads and benchmark reports used for Chips JU selection and procurement decisions. First pilot deployments of European AI compute systems validated for EU sovereign partitions of AI infrastructure. Structured collaboration between buyers and suppliers, supporting deployment, integration and optimisation of European AI compute solutions. Stronger EU demand for European AI chips and racks, helping to create a market for deployment-ready solutions. Increased EU technological sovereignty across the AI compute stack for European datacentres.

Expected Outcome: This action will consolidate Europe’s position in superconducting quantum computing through: Establishment of a full-stack superconducting quantum computer aiming at 1.000 physical qubits and QPU architecture based on chiplet technology. The system should feature a scalable and user-adjustable architecture, T1 coherence time above 100 us, gate fidelities (both one- and two-qubit gates, and read-out) of at least 99.9%, read-out speed below 300 ns, two-qubit gate speed below 20 ns. Demonstration of quantum advantage on selected industrial use cases, validated through benchmarking with best-in-class classical methods. Deployment of a cloud-accessible quantum system integrated with high-performance computing environments. Maturation of fault-tolerant quantum computing protocols, including effective quantum error correction and noise mitigation schemes. Delivery of a comprehensive, standardised software stack supporting system bring-up, calibration, control, benchmarking, and user access. Strengthened supply chains and industrial capacity in Europe for superconducting quantum technologies. Scope: The proposal should contribute to the scale-up and practical deployment…

Expected Outcome: World-class Cross-Border Cyber Hubs across the Union for pooling data on cybersecurity threats between several Member States, equipped with a highly secure infrastructures and advanced data analytics tools for detecting, gathering and storing data on cybersecurity threats, analysing this data, and sharing and reporting CTI, reviews and analyses. Sharing of Threat Intelligence between National Cyber Hubs, and information sharing agreements with competent authorities and networks, including CSIRTs. Objective: The former Cross-border SOC platforms were financed during previous calls and such collaboration is envisaged for the Cross-Border Cyber Hubs. They should provide new additional capacity building upon and complementing existing SOCs/Cyber Hubs, Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs), ISACs and other relevant actors. This action is aimed mainly at new Cross-Border Cyber Hubs. Supporting activities for the SOCs that were already launched under the previous DIGITAL work programmes (2021-2022 and 2023-2024) 1 could also be included when relevant to ensure collaboration with the Cross-Border Cyber Hubs. In addition to setting up processes, tools and…

Expected Outcome: World-class National Cyber Hubs across the Union, supported by state-of-the-art technology, acting as clearing houses for detecting, gathering and storing data on cybersecurity threats, analysing this data, and sharing and reporting CTI, reviews and analyses, taking into account well-established standards for sharing and automation processes. Threat intelligence and situational awareness capabilities and capacity building supporting strengthened collaboration between cybersecurity actors, including private and public actors. Targeted training courses on the basis of the ECSF to improve the capacity of cyber security roles. Applications for automated notification of private and public actors about compromised or insecure systems Objective: Where a Member State decides to participate in the European Cybersecurity Alert System, it shall designate or, where applicable, establish a National Cyber Hub, a single entity acting under the authority of the Member State. National Cyber Hubs have the capacity to act as a reference point and gateway to other public and private organisations at national level for collecting and analysing information on cyber threats and…

Expected Outcome: The expected outcomes of this topic are : Functional demonstrators of working AI chip prototypes (PCB-level) designed by EU fabless companies and physically integrated with their system partners. Validation of AI chip solutions on a common EU evaluation platform (provided by the Topic X.B consortium), delivering comparative evidence on key performance indicators. A shortlist of European AI chip solutions awarded the AI Compute Excellence label and qualified to proceed to full rack development under Topic X.A2.

Expected Outcome: One or more of the following should be covered: Implementation of guidelines, standardised processes, or manuals – in the EU or multiple EU MS – concerning the most challenging issues, supporting specific stakeholders and sectors addressed by cybersecurity legislation. Develop and implement tools, raise awareness and encourage and facilitate industry uptake, with a focus on SMEs, of conformity assessments of essential cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements (hardware and software) under the CRA. Support for mechanisms reducing the administrative burden for entities, like single entry point for incident notification. Establish secure communication channels allowing for cooperation and information sharing initiatives. Support the organisation of regular meetings/workshops to identify good practices within specific sectors or emerging areas and facilitate collaborative efforts between different sectors. Support the development of training courses, on the basis of the ECSF and exercises that promote capacity building and internal awareness. Contribution to CR standardisation: Training materials and training actions on cybersecurity certification…