Next-Generation QKD Systems[E8]

From the notice

Type of action: HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions. 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, including: Critical infrastructure monitoring (e.g., energy grid telemetry), Long-term secure cloud storage, Industrial control systems (e.g., transport, manufacturing), Secure multi-site enterprise communications. Strengthened European supply chain through the development of certifiable, standardised, and scalable QKD components. This action mu…[E3]

• ConditionEU grant rules apply: check the call conditions for who can apply, consortium rules and co-funding.[E4]
• The notice data states no restriction on who may bid. Exclusion grounds and selection criteria in the tender documents still apply.

• RiskThis is a grant, not a contract. Grants usually need a proposal against the funder's criteria, may need partners and often need co-funding.[E5]
• UnknownWe read the published notice, not the full tender documents.

1. First seen · 28 Oct 2026, 21:22 UTC

   The source published a call for competition with a future deadline.

   Source document HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NQKD-12-01:31094502:2026-09-07T14:52:15.500+0200

Every fact on this page comes from the published notice. Each entry shows the document and the field it was read from.

1. E1

   The buyer is European Commission.

   Document HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NQKD-12-01:31094502:2026-09-07T14:52:15.500+0200, field /metadata/type/0, read 28 Oct 2026, 21:22 UTC · source ↗ (opens in a new tab)

2. E2

   Proposals must be submitted by 17 Nov 2026, 01:00 Central European time (UTC+1).

   “2026-11-17T00:00:00.000+0000”

   Document HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NQKD-12-01:31094502:2026-09-07T14:52:15.500+0200, field /metadata/deadlineDate/0, read 28 Oct 2026, 21:22 UTC · source ↗ (opens in a new tab)

3. E3

   The buyer describes the requirement in the notice.

   “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 cos…”

   Document HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NQKD-12-01:31094502:2026-09-07T14:52:15.500+0200, field /metadata/descriptionByte/0, read 28 Oct 2026, 21:22 UTC · source ↗ (opens in a new tab)

4. E4

   EU grant rules apply: check the call conditions for who can apply, consortium rules and co-funding.

   “EU call topic”

   Document HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NQKD-12-01:31094502:2026-09-07T14:52:15.500+0200, field /metadata/type/0, read 28 Oct 2026, 21:22 UTC · source ↗ (opens in a new tab)

5. E5

   This call is open for proposals.

   “31094502”

   Document HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NQKD-12-01:31094502:2026-09-07T14:52:15.500+0200, field /metadata/status/0, read 28 Oct 2026, 21:22 UTC · source ↗ (opens in a new tab)

6. E6

   The notice was published on 13 Aug 2026.

   “2026-08-13T00:00:00.000+0000”

   Document HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NQKD-12-01:31094502:2026-09-07T14:52:15.500+0200, field /metadata/startDate/0, read 28 Oct 2026, 21:22 UTC · source ↗ (opens in a new tab)

7. E7

   The Funding & Tenders Portal gives the status as open for submission.

   Document HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NQKD-12-01:31094502:2026-09-07T14:52:15.500+0200, field /metadata/status/0, read 28 Oct 2026, 21:22 UTC · source ↗ (opens in a new tab)

8. E8

   The notice is titled "Next-Generation QKD Systems".

   Document HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NQKD-12-01:31094502:2026-09-07T14:52:15.500+0200, field /metadata/title/0, read 28 Oct 2026, 21:22 UTC · source ↗ (opens in a new tab)

9. E9

   The EU contribution per grant is up to EUR 24,000,000 (from EUR 21,000,000).

   Document HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NQKD-12-01:31094502:2026-09-07T14:52:15.500+0200, field /metadata/budgetOverview/0, read 28 Oct 2026, 21:22 UTC · source ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal, © European Union, CC BY 4.0. SLETOR shortened and reformatted the text. Data licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (European Commission) ↗ (opens in a new tab). Personal contact details in notices are not stored or shown.