PQ-REACT Open Call 2 – Implement invites quantum innovators to develop solutions replacing classical encryption methods. Consortia of 2–3 partners, including SMEs, startups, research institutions, NGOs, and universities, can apply for up to €162,500.
About PQ-REACT Open Call 2
The PQ-REACT project aims to design, build, and validate a framework for a quicker and more effortless shift from classical to post-quantum cryptography for various contexts and usage domains.
Understanding the critical role that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in technological innovation and implementation, PQ-REACT will launch open calls that attract these businesses. The financial support to third parties within PQ-REACT will be in the form of a grant awarded (lump-sum) after a call for proposals.
Open Call 2 is designed to invite applicants who can develop and implement innovative solutions to address the specific challenges of PQ-REACT use Cases in terms of PQC computational complexity and energy efficiency. The proposals must fit within one of the following Use Cases:
- Use Case 1: Smart Grid Meters
- Use Case 2: 5G and 6G architectures
- Use Case 3: Context Agility Manager (PQC Benchmarking)
- Use Case 4: Eclipse-Qrisp for PQC
In this second call, a total budget of €650,000 is available. Depending on the number and quality of the applications received, up to four consortium proposals (one per use case) will be funded. Each selected proposal may receive up to €162,500. The funded projects will have a maximum duration of 12 months.
Why Apply to PQ-REACT Open Call 2?
- Funding Support: Selected projects will receive up to €162,500.
- Be part of Europe’s quantum cybersecurity future: Collaborate with some of the most relevant and forward-thinking actors in the European PQC ecosystem and help shape the next generation of secure communication systems.
- Contribute to the definition of emerging standards: Play an active role in designing, testing, and validating some of the first real-world implementations of post-quantum cryptography—contributing to future standards and protocols.
- Access to strategic use-cases and real-life testing environments: Deploy and test your solutions in real scenarios through four carefully defined use cases across critical sectors like energy, cloud, IoT, and cybersecurity.
- Visibility and recognition in the European innovation landscape: Gain visibility among top experts, policymakers, and institutions engaged in Europe’s quantum and cybersecurity strategy.
Who Can Apply?
The PQ-REACT Open Call 2 – Implement is looking for consortia (single entity applications are not allowed) of 2-3 partners. The consortium must include the participation of at least one SME and at least one Tech provider. The Tech provider can be a SME, University and RTO (Research and Technology Organisation). What’s more, NGOs and foundations can also participate in the consortium’s call.
Additionally, these organisations must be legally established in any of the following countries:
- The Member States (MS) of the European Union (EU), including their outermost regions.
- Horizon Europe associated countries: according to the updated list published by the EC as of the call launch date.
How to Apply to PQ-REACT Open Call 2 – Proposal Requirements
Step1: Check the guidelines for applicants to determine if you comply with the eligibility criteria. If you fulfil them, you are one step closer to submitting your application.
Step2: Examine all the open call documents and attend the online Info Day & Pitching session related to the Use Case you are interested in to be prepared.
Step3: Form a consortium and develop your proposal.
Step4: Submit your application through the official online submission platform.
Step5: Once you have successfully submitted your proposal, the evaluation process follows.
Proposal Requirements for PQ-REACT Open Call 2
- Consortia of 2 to 3 partners. At least 1 SME/Startup and 1 Tech provider.
- Organisations legally established in eligible countries.
- Up to €162,500.
- Proposals must address one of the PQ-REACT´s Use-cases:
- Use Case 1: Smart Grid Meters
- Use Case 2: 5G and 6G architectures
- Use Case 3: Context Agility Manager (PQC Benchmarking)
- Use Case 4: Eclipse-Qrisp for PQC
- Proposals must be in English
- Submission through Sploro platform
Evaluation and Selection Process for PQ-REACT Open Call 2
Proposals will be scored on a 1-5 scale based on:
- Technical Excellence (Clarity of objectives and ambition; Soundness of methodology; Gender dimension; Quality in open science practice)
- Impact (Contribution to measuring, assessing, and standardizing/certifying future-proof cryptography; Innovative Approach; Scalability and practicality)
- Implementation (Expertise and Collaborative Potential of the team; Plan of proposed activities; Risk Assessment; KPIs)
The evaluation process consists of five phases:
- Eligibility check
- Alignment evaluation
- External evaluation (by independent evaluators)
- Normalisation of results
- Final selection
Important Dates
- 1st InfoDay & Pitching Session: Thursday, 24/04/2025, at 11:00h CEST, Brussels time
- 2nd InfoDay & Pitching Session: Tuesday 29/04/2025, at 11:00h CEST, Brussels time
- Submission Deadline: 27th of May 2025 at 17:00h Brussels time
- Evaluation: End of May – Beginning July 2025
- Sub-Grant Agreements Finalisation: July 2025
- PQ-REACT OC2 projects implementation: Beginning August 2025 – 31/07/2026 (up to 12 months)
Check the submission package containing all the essential documents for the call here.
Success Stories from PQ-REACT Open Call 1
Out of a competitive field, five organisations were selected due to their innovative proposals to address the specific challenges of PQ-REACT in terms of PQC computational complexity and energy efficiency. Representing Cyprus, Slovakia, Spain and Slovenia, the PQ-REACT Open Call #1 Winners have already embarked on our Quantum journey and are currently working on their projects.
Examples
- 8BELLS (Cyprus): 8Bells is an independent high-tech enterprise with headquarters in Nicosia, Cyprus, and Athens, Greece, dedicated to driving innovation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Their expertise spans key technological domains, including 5G/6G telecommunications, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
- CREAPLUS (Slovenia): CREAPLUS is an SME based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. They are primarily a value-added distributor for cryptographic and cybersecurity solutions, but they have branched out into software development, AI development and cryptographic consulting as well.
- TECNALIA (Spain): Tecnalia Research & Innovation is the leading private Technology Center in Spain and one of the main organizations dedicated to applied research in Europe. Tecnalia started to work into quantum some years ago initially working on cryptography.
- VICOMTECH (Spain): Vicomtech is a research center located in San Sebastián, Spain, specialising in applied research and technological innovation. They focus on areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, 5G networks, and now, quantum technologies.
- DECENT CYBERSECURITY (Slovakia): With offices across five European countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Ireland, and UK), Decent Cybersecurity is a European leader in advanced cybersecurity solutions, with a particular focus on post-quantum cryptography, blockchain security, and space traffic management.
Final Thoughts on PQ-REACT Open Call 2
Join our two dedicated InfoDays and Pitching sessions for an in-depth overview of Open Call 2. Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and gain a comprehensive explanation of the second call objectives, procedures, evaluation, and present your ideas and interests to connect with potential partners for the call!
- 1st InfoDay & Pitching: Smart Energy Meters and Context Agility Manager (Use case 1 & 3) – Thursday, 24/04/2025, at 11:00h CEST, Brussels time (Register here)
- 2nd InfoDay & Pitching: 5G and 6G architectures and Eclipse-Qrisp for PQC (Use case 2 & 4) – Tuesday 29/04/2025, at 11:00h CEST, Brussels time (Register here)
This is the final Open Call of the PQ-REACT project. Don’t miss your chance to be part of our quantum world, APPLY today!
For further details on PQ-REACT and the Open Call 2, visit:
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