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Call key data
Quantum Photonic Integrated Circuit technologies
Call number
HORIZON-CL4-2023-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-40
deadlines
Opening
08.12.2022
Deadline
29.03.2023 17:00
Funding rate
100%
Call budget
€ 12,000,000.00
Estimated EU contribution per project
between € 4,000,000.00 and € 6,000,000.00
Link to the call
Link to the submission
Call content
short description
Proposals will address technology (up to TRL 4-5) in key enabling PIC technology applied to market needs.
Call objectives
- Enhancement of PIC performance, e.g. ultra-low loss; ultra-low laser linewidth; ultra-high extinction ratio modulators and switches , extending spectral and optical power coverage, optical coupling interfaces, packaging.
- Incorporation of specific quantum functionality into PIC platforms, e.g. single photon and entangled photon pair generation, single photon and photon number detection , quantum memory elements, quantum processors.
- Multi-technology integration, e.g. incorporation of ion/atomic traps and relevant control electronics, superconducting detectors, nonlinear elements, integration of photonic readout into quantum computing and sensing devices employing other technologies (e.g. electronic, spintronic), relevant passive and active linear optical elements (e.g. modulators, shifters, switches etc.) to underscore a strategy for modular QPIC design.
- Development of PICs capable of operating at cryogenic temperatures, with low power dissipation and performance optimized in the context of the operating environment.
- Development of the most promising methods for QPIC fabrication in monolithic, hybrid or heterogeneous integration techniques for different functionalities together with an identification of the most advantageous platform materials, (e.g. derived from “classical” PIC technologies such as Si, SiO2, Si3N4, InP, LiNbO3, Si-on-insulator, LiNbO3-on-insulator, Al2O3, AlN, hybrid platforms, etc. etc. etc.).
- Assembly and packaging of PICs, taking the specific challenges of quantum systems (environment, temperature, stability, visible and ultraviolet wavelengths requirements, vacuum integration) into account and including integration of complementary and ancillary technologies (e.g. microelectronics) where required
- Miniaturization of previously non-scalable quantum photonic systems by implementing them in PIC form.
Proposals should identify applications in quantum sensing, communication, computation and simulation. Proposals should test and evaluate the developed Quantum PIC technologies in the context of such specific applications though trials at systems level in a representative laboratory or an operational environment.
These technologies should be developed in a manner to facilitate scalable manufacturing. Proposals should address IP management strategy and collaboration with European industry and SMEs, in particular in the context of establishing relevant European industrial manufacturing capabilities.
Collaboration with the Quantum Flagship initiative and the photonics partnership is crucial to be able to merge knowledge and experience in photonic technologies and quantum science.
In this topic, the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.
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Expected results
Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) technologies on one side and quantum science on the other are the building blocks for development of Quantum PIC (QPIC) devices for quantum information processing, computation/simulation, communication, sensing or metrology. Photon-based approaches can address the huge challenge of implementing quantum processes in public infrastructures, challenging industry applications and compact everyday-life devices and products.
QPIC technology has great potentials to target several application fields, in particular, but not limited to, health care, communications, environment and security, and thus has high strategic significance and major implications for the European economy.
However, to implement QPICs, research challenges have to be faced throughout the value chain, going from materials, circuit design (including the support of EDA tools), manufacturing processes and technological platforms, to the realization and validation of reliable and robust demonstrators and prototypes, and their integration and packaging. Furthermore, quantum systems are typically large, complex and costly, hindering their scalability, and thus cannot be directly used in products.
QPIC technology can address these issues, paving the way for compact, high performance, reliable, cost-effective components, that will enable quantum technology to be introduced in the market.
Expected Outcome:
- To improve over existing PIC technologies in terms of performance, functionality, manufacturing process efficiency and reliability, integration, and packaging in a manner that facilitates scalable manufacturing.
- To demonstrate the technology capability in key enabling Quantum PIC technologies with high potential impact on the quantum technology Industry, including applications in quantum sensing, communications, computation and simulation,
- Preparing QPIC technologies for future Pilot Lines and Photonics hubs and open testing and experimentation facilities,
- Exploit the potential of QPICs for a digital, green and healthy future in Europe by providing critical components and systems for next generation applications, products and processes. Develop tools for efficient design and prototyping of QPICs.
- Secure Technological Sovereignty for Europe by maintaining leadership in QPICs
- Contribution to the objectives of Digital Transformation, Green Deal, Competitiveness and Economic Growth.
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Eligibility Criteria
Regions / countries for funding
Iceland (Ísland), Israel (ישראל / إِسْرَائِيل), Norway (Norge)
eligible entities
EU Body, Education and training institution, International organization, Natural Person, Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) / Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Other, Private institution, incl. private company (private for profit), Public Body (national, regional and local; incl. EGTCs), Research Institution incl. University, Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)
Mandatory partnership
Yes
Project Partnership
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
- the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions
- the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States
- third countries associated to Horizon Europe - see list of particpating countries
Only legal entities forming a consortium are eligible to participate in actions provided that the consortium includes, as beneficiaries, three legal entities independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows:
- at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State; and
- at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries.
Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from non-associated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call topic.
A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality.
Specific cases:
- Affiliated entities — Affiliated entities (i.e. entities with a legal or capital link to a beneficiary which participate in the action with similar rights and obligations to the beneficiaries, but which do not sign the grant agreement and therefore do not become beneficiaries themselves) are allowed, if they are eligible for participation and funding.
- Associated partners — Associated partners (i.e. entities which participate in the action without signing the grant agreement, and without the right to charge costs or claim contributions) are allowed, subject to any conditions regarding associated partners set out in the specific call conditions.
- Entities without legal personality — Entities which do not have legal personality under their national law may exceptionally participate, provided that their representatives have the capacity to undertake legal obligations on their behalf, and offer guarantees to protect the EU’s financial interests equivalent to those offered by legal persons.
- EU bodies — Legal entities created under EU law including decentralised agencies may be part of the consortium, unless provided for otherwise in their basic act.
- Joint Research Centre (‘JRC’)— Where provided for in the specific call conditions, applicants may include in their proposals the possible contribution of the JRC but the JRC will not participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal. Applicants will indicate the contribution that the JRC could bring to the project based on the scope of the topic text. After the evaluation process, the JRC and the consortium selected for funding may come to an agreement on the specific terms of the participation of the JRC. If an agreement is found, the JRC may accede to the grant agreement as beneficiary requesting zero funding or participate as an associated partner, and would accede to the consortium as a member.
- Associations and interest groupings — Entities composed of members (e.g. European research infrastructure consortia (ERICs)) may participate as ‘sole beneficiaries’ or ‘beneficiaries without legal personality’. However, if the action is in practice implemented by the individual members, those members should also participate (either as beneficiaries or as affiliated entities, otherwise their costs will NOT be eligible
In order to achieve the expected outcomes, and safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, and security, it is important to avoid a situation of technological dependency on a non-EU source, in a global context that requires the EU to take action to build on its strengths, and to carefully assess and address any strategic weaknesses, vulnerabilities and high-risk dependencies which put at risk the attainment of its ambitions. For this reason, participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Iceland and Norway and the following additional associated country: Israel
For the duly justified and exceptional reasons listed in the paragraph above, in order to guarantee the protection of the strategic interests of the Union and its Member States, entities established in an eligible country listed above, but which are directly or indirectly controlled by a non-eligible country or by a non-eligible country entity, may not participate in the action unless it can be demonstrated, by means of guarantees provided by their eligible country of establishment, that their participation to the action would not negatively impact the Union’s strategic, assets, interests, autonomy, or security.
other eligibility criteria
Activities are expected to start at TRL 2-3 and achieve TRL 4-5 by the end of the project.
For the Technology Readiness Level (TRL), the following definitions apply:
- TRL 1 — Basic principles observed
- TRL 2 — Technology concept formulated
- TRL 3 — Experimental proof of concept
- TRL 4 — Technology validated in a lab
- TRL 5 — Technology validated in a relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
- TRL 6 — Technology demonstrated in a relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
- TRL 7 — System prototype demonstration in an operational environment
- TRL 8 — System complete and qualified
- TRL 9 — Actual system proven in an operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies, or in space)
Additional information
Topics
Relevance for EU Macro-Region
EUSAIR - EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Space, EUSBSR - EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, EUSDR - EU Strategy for the Danube Region
UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs)
Additional Information
All proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funders & Tenders Portal electronic submission system (accessible via the topic page in the Search Funding & Tenders section). Paper submissions are NOT possible.
Proposals must be complete and contain all parts and mandatory annexes and supporting documents, e.g. plan for the exploitation and dissemination of the results including communication activities, etc.
The application form will have two parts:
- Part A (to be filled in directly online) contains administrative information about the applicant organisations (future coordinator and beneficiaries and affiliated entities), the summarised budget for the proposal and call-specific questions;
- Part B (to be downloaded from the Portal submission system, completed and then assembled and re-uploaded as a PDF in the system) contains the technical description of the project.
Annexes and supporting documents will be directly available in the submission system and must be uploaded as PDF files (or other formats allowed by the system).
The limit for a full application (Part B) is 50 pages.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.
Call documents
HE-Work Programme 2023-2024, Cluster 4, Destination 4HE-Work Programme 2023-2024, Cluster 4, Destination 4(580kB)
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