Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The Connecting Europe Facility is a key EU funding instrument to promote growth, jobs and competitiveness through infrastructure investment at European level.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The objectives of this call are CEF Digital actions to co-fund the terrestrial backbone network components complementary to those developed through the Digital Europe Programme and focus on supporting cross-border links between two or more national quantum communication networks in Member States, and/or linking the EuroQCI’s terrestrial and space segments.
This scope includes the actions needed at the level of telecommunications networks to manage encryption keys efficiently and securely in an end-to-end manner and ensure their transmission to recipients.
Detailed Call Description
The following priorities have been set to address the needs of EU’s national governments and critical infrastructures supporting services of general interest (“critical public infrastructures”):
- Deployment of cross-border quantum terrestrial backbone networks for interconnecting neighbouring national quantum communication infrastructures across borders, built with EU technologies.
- Interconnection with the EuroQCI’s space segment, developed under the Secure Connectivity programme.
- Provision of fibre links between the EuroQCI and a pan-European network of Security Operation Centres (SOCs).
This topic will support the deployment of quantum communication infrastructure for routes between Member States, including OCTs:
- where the national segments of quantum communication infrastructure are already in place or where their deployment is already ongoing or operationally planned; and
- where a crossborder link between at least two EU countries, (including outermost regions and OCTs), or a space segment interconnection is foreseen.
The call aims to:
- Enable reliable and resilient transmission of sensitive communications and data between public authorities, research entities and critical public infrastructures in Member States, including outermost regions and overseas countries and territories.
- Boost Europe’s capabilities in developing quantum-secure optical telecommunication networks and their capacity to secure its critical public infrastructures, especially those that cross national borders and serve more than one Member State.
- Promote quantum-based secure networks and the emergence of a new ecosystem that would enable a large market uptake. This will ultimately support the growth of a pan-European quantum industry that will develop new, innovative systems and technologies critical for the EU’s strategic autonomy and digital sovereignty.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
Project budgets (maximum grant amount) are expected to be up to € 5,000,000 per project.
The costs will be reimbursed at the funding rates fixed in the Grant Agreement (maximum 50% for the costs of studies, maximum 70% for the costs of works in outermost regions, and maximum 30% for all other costs categories. Applications with a higher project funding rate (maximum 50 %), can be accepted if the project has a strong cross-border dimension including the space segment.
Thematic Categories
- Information Technology
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Central Government
- International Organisations
- Large Enterprises
- Local Authorities
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Private Bodies
- Semi-governmental organisations
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies) established in one of the EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories).
Consortium composition
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium composed of a minimum of 2 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities). In case of terrestrial connections, proposals must be submitted by minimum 2 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) from minimum 2 different eligible countries.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Department of Electronic Communications – State Department for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy
https://bit.ly/39IYcFZ
286 Strovolou Avenue, Strovolos
Correspondence Address: PO Box 24647, 1302 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22814854/22814846
Fax: +357 22321925
Electr. Address: info.dec@dec.dmrid.gov.cy
Contact person:
Mr. Nikos Ioannou
Electronic Communications Officer
Telephone: +357 22814875
Fax: +357 22321925
Electr. Address: nioannou@dec.dmrid.gov.cy
(Publish Date: 17/10/2022-for internal use only)
EU Contact Point
European Health and Digital Executive Agency: