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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must align with the EU Economic Security Strategy and Quantum Europe Strategy by establishing complete European technological non-dependence in quantum space gravimetry subsystems. Applicants must clearly position their project in either Area 1 (maturing cold atom interferometry with BECs to TRL 6 with qualification models) or Area 2 (emerging quantum sensing tech like SQUIDs/nuclear spin to TRL 4-5 breadboards), ensuring strict compliance with geographical restrictions limited to EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland.
TRL 4 → 6
Area 1: R&I on the technology based on cold atom interferometry with Bose Einstein Condensates (BECs) for Quantum Space Gravimetry. Proposals should aim at the maturation of all relevant technology to TRL 6 and deliver engineering and qualification models of the payload subsystems to demonstrate the technology in orbit.
Area 2: R&I on emerging technology for Quantum Space Gravimetry such as SQUIDs (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices) or nuclear spin-based gravimeters or hybridized technology (list not exhaustive). Proposals should aim at the development of the relevant technology to TRL 4-5 and deliver breadboards or prototypes of a payload aiming at demonstrating the technology in orbit.
Support the EU space policy by fostering the development of groundbreaking space technology and support the Quantum Europe Strategy.
Enhance the technological maturation of the critical components necessary to perform quantum space gravimetry.
Foster the technological leadership and non-dependence of the EU in the field of quantum gravimetry from space and promote the EU’s competitiveness in quantum technologies.
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
Quantum Europe Strategy
highThe Quantum Europe Strategy (anchored by initiatives such as the European Declaration on Quantum Technologies and the Quantum Technologies Flagship) aims to establish Europe as a global leader in quantum innovation. It seeks to foster a robust industrial ecosystem, secure technological sovereignty, and transition cutting-edge quantum research into deployable commercial applications across sensing, computing, and communications.
Evaluators expect proposals to clearly articulate how the proposed quantum sensing or gravimetry technologies mature European intellectual property and capabilities. Proposals should detail roadmaps for transitioning lab-scale quantum instruments into space-qualified prototypes, demonstrating alignment with European quantum supply chain resilience and strategic leadership.
EU Economic Security Strategy
highAdopted in June 2023, the European Economic Security Strategy outlines a framework to assess and manage risks to the EU's economic resilience, critical infrastructure, and technological edge. It identifies critical technology areas—including quantum technologies and space—where supply chain dependencies and risks of technology leakage must be mitigated.
Evaluators expect concrete measures addressing technological sovereignty, non-EU dependencies, and intellectual property protection. Proposals should include risk management plans detailing secure component sourcing, critical supply-chain autonomy (especially for quantum payloads and space instrumentation), and compliance with export controls and sensitive technology governance.
EU Space policy
highThe EU Space Policy, codified through the EU Space Programme Regulation (2021-2027) and the EU Space Strategy, focuses on bolstering Europe's autonomous access to space, fostering innovation, and delivering sovereign space data and services via flagship components like Copernicus, Galileo, and secure connectivity initiatives.
Evaluators expect proposals to define how quantum space gravimetry advances European Earth observation and geodesy capabilities, potentially complementing or upgrading systems like Copernicus. Proposals should demonstrate a credible space qualification trajectory, operational viability, and direct contribution to the EU's independent capability to monitor Earth's gravity field, water resources, and climate parameters from orbit.
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described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).
In order to achieve the expected outcomes, and safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security, participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Norway and Iceland. Proposals including entities established in countries outside the scope specified in the call/topic/action will be ineligible.
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 positively assessed 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. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment within the meaning of ‘restrictions for the protection of European communication networks’ (or entities fully or partially owned or controlled by a high-risk supplier) cannot submit guarantees.[[The guarantees shall in particular substantiate that, for the purpose of the action, measures are in place to ensure that: a) control over the applicant legal entity is not exercised in a manner that retrains or restricts its ability to carry out the action and to deliver results, that imposes restrictions concerning its infrastructure, facilities, assets, resources, intellectual property or know-how needed for the purpose of the action, or that undermines its capabilities and standards necessary to carry out the action; b) access by a non-eligible country or by a non-eligible country entity to sensitive information relating to the action is prevented; and the employees or other persons involved in the action have a national security clearance issued by an eligible country, where appropriate; c) ownership of the intellectual property arising from, and the results of, the action remain within the recipient during and after completion of the action, are not subject to control or restrictions by non-eligible countries or non-eligible country entity, and are not exported outside the eligible countries, nor is access to them from outside the eligible countries granted, without the approval of the eligible country in which the legal entity is established.
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described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Eligible proposals submitted under this topic and exceeding all the evaluation thresholds will be awarded a STEP Seal [[https://strategic-technologies.europa.eu/about/step-seal_en]].
To ensure a balanced portfolio covering all the development areas described in the scope section, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to one proposal that is the highest ranked within each development area, provided that the applications attain all thresholds.
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Declaration of ownership and control
A compulsory questionnaire on the declaration of ownership and control is to be filled by all project participants as part of the application. All declarations must be assembled by the coordinator and uploaded in a single file in the portal submission system. For additional information on the assessment of ownership and control process and on the guarantees please consult the draft guidance for participation in restricted calls.
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators will critically check adherence to the strict eligibility restriction limiting participation to EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland, including the mandatory assessment of foreign ownership/control declarations. They will evaluate whether the consortium delivers credible hardware maturation pathways—specifically engineering/qualification models reaching TRL 6 for @SC1 or breadboards/prototypes reaching TRL 4-5 for @SC2—geared towards in-orbit demonstration. Furthermore, evaluators will apply portfolio selection to fund at least the top-ranked proposal in each technical development area, rewarding applications that earn the STEP Seal and demonstrate compliance with EU space assets like Galileo and Copernicus.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Area 1: R&I on the technology based on cold atom interferometry with Bose Einstein Condensates (BECs) for Quantum Space Gravimetry. Proposals should aim at the maturation of all relevant technology to TRL 6 and deliver engineering and qualification models of the payload subsystems to demonstrate the technology in orbit. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Area 2: R&I on emerging technology for Quantum Space Gravimetry such as SQUIDs (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices) or nuclear spin-based gravimeters or hybridized technology (list not exhaustive). Proposals should aim at the development of the relevant technology to TRL 4-5 and deliver breadboards or prototypes of a payload aiming at demonstrating the technology in orbit. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Support the EU space policy by fostering the development of groundbreaking space technology and support the Quantum Europe Strategy. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Enhance the technological maturation of the critical components necessary to perform quantum space gravimetry. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Foster the technological leadership and non-dependence of the EU in the field of quantum gravimetry from space and promote the EU’s competitiveness in quantum technologies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Consistency with Quantum Space Gravimetry Expert Group roadmapResulting projects are expected to be consistent with a common overarching roadmap and recommendations established in close coordination with EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland through a dedicated Quantum Space Gravimetry Expert Group (QSGEG). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOSIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Synergies with past quantum and space gravimetry actionsWhere applicable, proposers are invited to explore synergies with or build upon past actions related to quantum technology and/or space gravimetry at national or EU level. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| No expected impacts in this call. | |||
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1quantum europe strategyThe Quantum Europe Strategy (anchored by initiatives such as the European Declaration on Quantum Technologies and the Quantum Technologies Flagship) aims to establish Europe as a global leader in quantum innovation. It seeks to foster a robust industrial ecosystem, secure technological sovereignty, and transition cutting-edge quantum research into deployable commercial applications across sensing, computing, and communications. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2eu economic security strategyAdopted in June 2023, the European Economic Security Strategy outlines a framework to assess and manage risks to the EU's economic resilience, critical infrastructure, and technological edge. It identifies critical technology areas—including quantum technologies and space—where supply chain dependencies and risks of technology leakage must be mitigated. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3eu space policyThe EU Space Policy, codified through the EU Space Programme Regulation (2021-2027) and the EU Space Strategy, focuses on bolstering Europe's autonomous access to space, fostering innovation, and delivering sovereign space data and services via flagship components like Copernicus, Galileo, and secure connectivity initiatives. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
4 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
Participation is strictly limited to legal entities established in EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland. Any consortium member directly or indirectly controlled by a non-eligible country must provide formal guarantees assessed by their country of establishment. Evaluators will rigorously check these declarations during the pre-award phase, making this a make-or-break eligibility factor before any scientific scoring occurs.
Source: Eligibility rules
Applicants must explicitly position their proposal in either Area 1 (cold atom interferometry) or Area 2 (emerging technologies like SQUIDs). The evaluation process applies a portfolio selection rule to fund at least the highest-ranked proposal in each development area. Choosing the right area dictates the required end TRL (TRL 6 for Area 1 vs TRL 4-5 for Area 2) and the specific hardware deliverables (qualification models vs breadboards).
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
If the project utilizes satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, or timing data, it is mandatory to use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Evaluators are explicitly instructed to reward compliance with these EU space assets. Proposals relying solely on third-country satellite data will face severe scoring penalties or eligibility issues.
Source: Eligibility rules
Proposals must demonstrate complete European technological non-dependence to align with the EU Economic Security Strategy and Quantum Europe Strategy. Evaluators expect concrete risk management plans detailing secure component sourcing and ITAR-free supply chains for quantum payloads. Failing to prove sovereign manufacturing capabilities will critically undermine the proposal's impact narrative.
Source: Underlying policies
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. There is no set order: start wherever your project starts. The sections below mirror what the conversation produces, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Current laboratory-grade cold atom and quantum gravimeter components cannot withstand space launch stresses, thermal cycling, and radiation without substantial miniaturization and ruggedization.
Reliance on third-country proprietary technologies for key quantum optics, high-performance SQUIDs, and control systems jeopardizes European autonomy under global export control regimes.
Existing satellite gravimetry architectures lack the sustained ultra-high sensitivity required to detect fast, small-scale mass displacements in groundwater basins and ice sheets.
Institutional space entities (ESA, EUSPA, national agencies) preparing next-generation Earth observation and gravity mapping space missions.
Industrial prime contractors, space subsystem manufacturers, and quantum technology SMEs developing space-qualified hardware.
Academic researchers and scientific institutions utilizing high-resolution Earth gravity data for geodesy, oceanography, hydrology, and climate science.
Policy stakeholders monitoring strategic autonomy, technological non-dependence, and economic security under the Quantum Europe Strategy.
The long-term impacts your project should drive, and the policies they serve.
Ensuring independent European industrial capability to supply 100% ITAR-free quantum gravimetry components and flight-ready subsystems.
Providing groundbreaking gravity field measurements to monitor groundwater depletion, ice sheet mass melting, and ocean circulation anomalies with unprecedented accuracy.