Support for the functioning of SEAPs, including for the purpose of establishing, managing and maintaining defence industrial readiness pools

EIC STEP Scale Up Defence

Scope: Only competent organisations , based on designations by Member States, are eligible to apply to the call

Expected Outcome: The successful proposal is expected to further contribute to the expected outcomes specified in topic HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-02-01: European Partnership of Agriculture of Data, for continuation of the activities in line with already agreed outcomes. Scope: The objective of this action is to continue to provide support to the European partnership of Agriculture of Data identified in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024 and first implemented under the topic HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-02-01: European Partnership of Agriculture of Data, and in particular to fund additional activities (which may also be undertaken by additional partners) in view of its intended scope and duration, and in accordance with Article 24(2) of the Horizon Europe Regulation. The consortium which applied to and received funding under HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-02-01: European Partnership of Agriculture of Data is uniquely placed to submit a proposal to continue the envisioned partnership. Not only did this consortium submit the proposal leading to the identification of the partnership in the Horizon Europe strategic planning 2021-2024, it has also been implementing the…

Expected Outcome: This action aims to establish European leadership in neutral-atom quantum simulation and digital quantum computing by delivering: Fully programmable industry-ready quantum simulators based on 10.000 neutral atoms in a scalable architecture, accessible via cloud platforms, and with the possibility of integrating them into high-performance computing environments. Fully programmable platform for neutral-atom quantum computing capable of both analogue quantum operations and gate-based computing with 1.000 physical qubits and a clear path to further scalability to 10.000 physical qubits. Coherence time of the order of hundreds of interaction times and infidelity of operations below 1%. Demonstration of quantum simulation and/or computing operating beyond classical computability, validated through benchmarking with classical methods. New real-world applications across science and industry (at least two) (e.g: in the energy and health sectors) The software stack for these applications, including enhanced software for verification, algorithm implementation, and user programming interfaces. Demonstration of the full quantum stack – including quantum control, electronic…

Expected Outcome: Projects are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: Effective and innovative methods for gathering, sharing and using large data sets in energy applications for the purpose of training AI models while ensuring privacy and security. Advanced and - wherever possible - open-source AI foundation models to support the digitalisation of the energy system, through improved grid observability, forecasting of supply and demand, advanced storage and renewables integration, demand side flexibility and energy efficiency. Enhanced cooperation, knowledge sharing and interoperability among energy system actors for secure and seamless data exchange. Advanced methodologies for AI model development ensuring that the results are FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) beyond the project ending, open source and accommodating for technology evolution. Scope: The quality of AI models depends strongly on the amount, quality, and representativeness of the data used for their training. Projects are expected to focus on developing, training and testing AI foundation models, using extensive data sets to accelerate the energy transition in key focus…

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 Impact: Funded actions are expected to support the preparation and submission of solid project proposals for possible EDPCI as part of the next call for expression of interest in the course of 2027 and to inform the discussions of the Programme Committee on the programming of the relevant proposed EU programme under the next multiannual financial framework. They shall therefore deliver by end 2027, a first implementation roadmap, addressing the activities to be launched between 2028 and 2030, and, at the latest by end 2030, the final implementation roadmap covering the activities to be launched until 2034. The outcome of the funded actions will not commit the Commission to propose to identify the project as an EDPCI nor to provide the expected EU contribution under the next multiannual financial framework 2028-2034. Objective: This topic aims to support the maturation of forming collaborative projects towards possible future European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI) and the preparation of their implementation roadmap for the period 2028-2034. Scope: The action aims at maturing collaborative projects towards possible future European Defence Projects of Common…

Expected Impact: Projects are expected to deliver results aligned with the expected results set out in this call topic and to evidence their contribution through dedicated KPIs defined in the proposal. Expected results include: • demonstrable and sustainable increase in production capacity in UA for the targeted (counter-)UxS-related production lines; • measurable reduction of production lead time from order/production decision to delivery in UA; • improved t imely availability and supply of defence products in UA , including increased delivery reliability and readiness of production lines; • effective cross-border cooperation between UA and EU that enables production ramp-up, integration, qualification and sustainment; • strengthened Ukrainian industrial base, and, where applicable, operationalised MaaS and dual-use heavy industry conversion pathways for surge. Proposals shall define, baseline and track KPIs such as: production output (units/month), time-to-rate, lead-time reduction, line availability/uptime, qualified output delivered in UA, MaaS throughput, surge conversion readiness indicators, and workforce trained where relevant—alongside risk-related indicators…

Expected Impact: The results of the activities should contribute to support common procurement, leading to strengthening the cooperation among Member States and associated countries, as well as to greater interoperability. Furthermore, they should contribute to the development and the procurement of common platforms and subsystems. Objective: This topic aims to support the common procurement of a wide range of capabilities or systems of ground and naval platforms or parts thereof, including but not limited to artillery systems, (counter)-mobility platforms, tanks or other armoured vehicles, support vehicles, combat platforms, soldier systems, surface and underwater naval platforms or their sub-systems. Scope: Common procurement actions under this topic shall consist of activities related to the cooperation of legal entities in the procurement of ground, naval platforms and systems, at any point in the life cycle of such defence products, including for the purpose of establishing, managing and maintaining defence industrial readiness pools. To achieve the expected impact, the estimated value of a common procurement proposed for actions under this topic shall be at least EUR 80 000…

Expected Impact: The results of the activities should contribute to support common procurement, leading to strengthening the cooperation among Member States and associated countries, as well as to greater interoperability. Furthermore, they should contribute to the development and reinforcement of air and missile defence capabilities of the participants. Objective: This topic aims at actions supporting the common procurement of integrated, multilayered, air and missile defence, or parts thereof including sensors (e.g. radars), kinetic or non-kinetic effectors, command and control, that protects against the full spectrum of air threats (cruise missiles, ballistic and hypersonic missiles, aircraft and UAS) from medium to long range, high and terminal high altitude, including endo-atmospheric interceptor. This topic does not cover very short to short range air defence systems against low altitude UAS (covered by call topic EDIP-P-2026-FNLC-CPA-CDS). Scope: Common procurement actions under this topic shall consist of activities related to the cooperation of legal entities in the procurement of air and missile defence systems, or parts thereof, at any point in the life cycle of such…