Project description
Paving the way for Europe’s post-quantum shift
Quantum computers threaten to break today’s cryptography but Europe is preparing to address this challenge. One solution is post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The EU-funded QARC project is accelerating the transition to PQC by developing secure, practical implementations for real-world systems. From embedded devices to cloud infrastructures, it focuses on hybrid schemes, cryptographic agility, and resistance to side-channel attacks. Partnering with national cyber security authorities, the project runs pilots in e-government and open-source platforms to test deployment strategies across the EU. QARC also supports policy development, standardisation, and coordinated roadmaps, with special attention to helping smaller countries manage the transition. QARC is laying the groundwork for a secure digital future in the post-quantum era.
Objective
QARC is a targeted proposal that aims at the practical deployment of post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) technologies into real-world applications and infrastructures. It is focused on implementing PQC to open-source software and on specific platforms, such as embedded constrained devices and hardware platforms, such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). For these platforms, where secure implementations of PQC algorithms are still lacking, the consortium will develop novel prototypes and evaluate them in realistic pilots designed in collaboration with National Cyber Security Authorities (NCSAs). The focus will be devoted to 1) the design and implementation of hybrid schemes guaranteeing security even if legacy or some PQC families fail, 2) cryptographic agility providing easy cryptographic updates, and 3) implementation security and resistance to side-channel attacks. Using secure implementations, pilots on eGovernment, Cloud infrastructures, NCSAs’ services, and open-source software will be run across the EU to obtain exemplary deployment strategies and create good practices for the transition from legacy to PQC cryptography.
A major component of QARC is the strong involvement of National Cyber Security Authorities as consortium partners. This will ensure coordinated transition strategies and aligned national roadmaps. The project includes activities for building the NCSA network, creating policy briefs, conducting comparative studies of multiple roadmap implementations in different countries, identifying lessons learned, and facilitating scientific, commercial, and community support in these transitions. A particular focus is given to small-to-medium countries with agencies with limited resources.
In addition to technical tasks, the QARC project also includes activities focused on standardization and legislation updates and the training and awareness-raising activities that are necessary components of successful PQC transition.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.3 - Civil Security for Society
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.3.3 - Cybersecurity
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL3-2024-CS-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
602 00 BRNO STRED
Czechia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.