Quantum Internet Framework Partnerships Agreement– launching the second Specific Grant Agreement - Research and Innovation Action (SGA)

Expected outcome:

Proposals submitted under the Second Specific Grant Agreement (SGA2) for the FPA on "Building the Quantum Internet" (HORIZON-CL4-2021-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02-19) are expected to achieve the following outcomes, building on the achievements made by the SGA1 and demonstrating concrete steps (in terms of improved functionality, distance, accessibility, cost-effectiveness and real-world deployments) towards the realisation of a quantum internet:

1. The realization of quantum communication technology that is scalable, secure, reliable, and ready for manufacturing.

2. The achievement of entanglement distribution over distances reaching or exceeding 500 km, incorporating quantum repeaters.

3. The demonstration of a proof-of-principle quantum internet infrastructure with a prototype (lab conditions) of a long-distance quantum communication fibre network that uses quantum repeaters capable of connecting metropolitan area networks, demonstrating interoperability of various approaches and scalability of the architecture.

4. The integration of advanced quantum network applications (e.g. secret key sharing, distributed quantum computation, blind quantum computation) into classical network infrastructures (i.e. orchestration platforms) over a quantum network including quantum repeaters.

5. Platform-independent software and network stack demonstration that can operate on a quantum communication network involving at least two quantum computing nodes with quantum memories, ensuring the network's resistance to known forms of cyber-attacks.

6. Demonstration of the maturity of quantum networks by showcasing the technologies developed by the project and demonstrating and validating use cases in a real-world environment.

Scope:

Projects should focus on making significant steps towards the practical realization of a quantum internet:

• Develop the foundational technologies and network architectures needed to establish a quantum internet that interconnects quantum computers, simulators, and sensors through quantum networks.

• Further develop and mature the hardware components and systems needed for a quantum internet, such as quantum sources, detectors, memories, and repeaters, using the platforms identified as most promising according to objective criteria.

• Further develop and mature the software for a quantum internet, as well as integrating quantum network applications into network infrastructure.

• Propel the innovation and deployment of quantum internet components and systems capable of operating across extensive real-world networks.

• Encourage collaboration across disciplines and sectors to address the technological, computational, and societal aspects of building the quantum internet, including maximisation of its potential contributions to economic growth, technological sovereignty, and strategic autonomy.

• Contribute to the development of international standards and ensure interoperability across different quantum technologies, facilitating the secure and efficient exchange of quantum information, while promoting, where possible, sustainable practices.

• Build and operate pilot testbeds, in order to demonstrate technologies, architectures, operation and integration of hardware and software elements and systems in real-world deployments, for taking further steps towards the realisation of a quantum internet.

• Demonstrate pilot use cases for a quantum internet, and evaluate them with a focus on enabling upgradability towards general quantum connectivity. Engage with potential end users and service providers to maximise the uptake potential of use cases, targeting future commercial services.

Proposals should demonstrate synergies with actions already carried out under HORIZON-CL4-2021-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02-19: Framework Partnership Agreements in Quantum Communications, and with any other relevant European projects.

Proposals should also contribute to spreading excellence across Europe, for example, through the involvement of EU Widening Countries.

In this topic the integration of the gender dimension (sex and/or gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement; however, should proposers consider it to be of relevance for their proposal, they are strongly encouraged to integrate it.

Technology Readiness Level: Activities are expected to start at TRL 4-5 and achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.

Eligibility conditions - Participation limited to legal entities established in MS only, or in specified ACs or other 3rd countries in addition to MS:

The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following exceptions apply: 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 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, shall not participate in the action.