Strengthening the fabless Start-up and SME ecosystem in Europe (CSA)

Closed

Code: 37950 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-08 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 10/06/2025 | End submission calls: 02/10/2025

Fabless semiconductor start-ups and SMEs play a key role in driving innovation and economic growth within the global technology sector. These companies, which design chips and outsource their manufacturing, are at the forefront of technological advancements, fueling innovative developments in semiconductor technologies related to AI, data processing, communications, automotive, and more. Globally, fabless companies contribute to approximately 50% of chip revenues. However, Europe’s share in this crucial market is less than 1%, highlighting a significant gap that needs to be addressed to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy and economic security. European fabless startups and SMEs often face significant challenges in accessing cohesive and timely information, financial resources, and relevant infrastructures and services. Nurturing and supporting the growth of European fabless SMEs is essential for building a competitive ecosystem that fosters rapid innovation, job creation, and sustainable growth. This Coordination and Support Action (CSA) aims to bridge this gap by providing targeted support and advocacy for Europe’s fabless semiconductor start-ups, SMEs and small mid-caps, ensuring their voice is heard and their potential is fully realized.

Enhancing the NCC Network

Closed

Code: 37944 | Identifier Code: DIGITAL-ECCC-2025-DEPLOY-CYBER-08-NCC | Programme name: 15593 | Start submission calls: 12/06/2025 | End submission calls: 07/10/2025

The National Coordination Centres (NCCs) set up by the Regulation (EU) 2021/887 are designed to work together through a network and to contribute to achieving the objectives of the regulation and to foster the Cybersecurity Competence Community in each Member State, by contributing to the acquisition of the necessary capacity.

National Coordination Centres can also support priority areas such as the implementation of EU legislation (Directive (EU) 2022/2555, the proposed Cyber Resilience Act and the Cybersecurity Act).

The objective of this topic is to support the operation of the NCCs and to enable them to support the cybersecurity community, including SMEs, for the uptake and dissemination of state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions and strengthen cybersecurity capacities.

This could also be achieved by using Financial Support for Third Parties (FSTPs) . Based on the financing received in previous years and on the different operational start dates in the Member States, this activity aims to continue providing support for NCCs.

Robust and trustworthy GenerativeAI for Robotics and industrial automation (RIA) (AI/Data/Robotics & Made in Europe Partnerships)

Closed

Code: 37940 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-07 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 10/06/2025 | End submission calls: 02/10/2025

Proposals integrating Generative AI in robotics and industrial automation are expected to substantially contribute to productivity gains, including for instance in engineering industries, the automotive sector, food production or other sectors related to manufacturing industries. All proposals will have to demonstrate their expected impact on the competitiveness of the selected application sector.

Transition to post-quantum Public Key Infrastructures

Closed

Code: 37936 | Identifier Code: DIGITAL-ECCC-2025-DEPLOY-CYBER-08-PUBLICPQC | Programme name: 15593 | Start submission calls: 12/06/2025 | End submission calls: 07/10/2025

Proposals shall target activities on the following subjects:

• design of digital signature combiners and key encapsulation mechanism combiners.
• the testing of deployment of certificates in protocols that use those certificates.
• the development of novel protocols for Automatic Certificate Management and revocation and of novel protocols for (privacy-friendly) certificate-transparency.
• the development of methods and tools that can be used by experts across various PKI domains, including all aspects of key management of asymmetric systems.

Post-exascale HPC (CSA)

Closed

Code: 37935 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-04 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 10/06/2025 | End submission calls: 02/10/2025

Proposals are invited for a Coordination and Support Action that will guide and prepare European HPC for the post-exascale era of converging supercomputing, quantum computing and artificial intelligence worlds.

The action should bring together the key scientific and industrial players in Europe, ensuring strong AI engagement, and should liaise with the relevant international post-exascale efforts (e.g. the International Exascale Project (InPex)), the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking advisory bodies such as the Research and Innovation Advisory Group (RIAG) and the Infrastructure Advisory Group (INFRAG), the EuroHPC JU private partners (i.e. the European Technology Platform for High Performance Computing ETP4HPC, the Big Data Value Association (BDVA), and the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC)), relevant EuroHPC main initiatives (e.g. the DARE Framework Programme Agreement on RISC-V processors, HPC Centres of Excellence, AI Factories, etc), the hosting entities of European AI Factories and future AI Gigafactories, and other relevant European projects and initiatives.

The promotion of handicraft products and support of craftsmen 

Closed

Code: 37930 | Identifier Code: PPPA-MOVE-2025-P032404 | Programme name: 2280 | Start submission calls: 02/09/2025 | End submission calls: 30/09/2025

This call seeks to support craftsmen across the EU in the production of traditional and artisanal handicrafts, ensuring that these skills and products are preserved and passed on. It promotes handicrafts as a driver of tourism, encouraging visitors to purchase locally and learn about traditional manufacturing techniques, particularly for products with geographical indications. The initiative also aims to provide incentives for craftsmen to continue their work, while motivating young people to enter the sector and sustain these traditions. Furthermore, it encourages collaboration between craftsmen from different EU regions, including through the EU Tourism Platform, to share expertise and create new opportunities. Finally, it supports the promotion and increased sales of artisanal products, both through local markets and digital channels, helping to raise visibility and demand.

Supporting Digital Partnerships in Quantum technologies (RIA)

Closed

Code: 37925 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 10/06/2025 | End submission calls: 02/10/2025

Proposals are expected to address quantum technology challenges in the fields of quantum communication, computing, simulation, and sensing, identifying the added value and mutual benefits for both EU and Korean partners. This includes integration across various disciplines such as physics, engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, theory, algorithms, software, manufacturing, control, and infrastructures.

Quantum Computing – complementing the quantum computing FPAs with the development of a technology agnostic software stack (RIA)

Closed

Code: 37922 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 10/06/2025 | End submission calls: 02/10/2025

The project aims to establish a universal and interoperable quantum computing ecosystem through a technology-agnostic software stack, enabling integration with classical computing systems such as HPC and cloud infrastructures (including EuroHPC supercomputers). It will promote standardized software architectures, compilers, and simulators to ensure portability across platforms and demonstrate workflows that combine quantum and classical computing to tackle complex challenges, highlighting quantum acceleration or advantage.

The initiative will also support training of software developers in quantum programming, development of algorithm libraries, and integration of quantum error correction. Strong collaboration between Horizon Europe quantum projects and EuroHPC initiatives is emphasized, requiring joint agreement on open software stack interfaces from the start. These interfaces must be open, consultative, and well-documented to ensure alignment and facilitate cooperation.

All developments should adopt open-source platforms, use recognized free/open licenses (e.g., FSF, OSI, EUPL), and be published in open repositories such as GitHub. Furthermore, research outputs—including data and workflows—must follow FAIR principles and be made openly accessible whenever possible, while respecting the principle of “as open as possible, as closed as necessary.”

Identify Art. 36 organisations to be entrusted to improve methods for collection, management and analysis of scientific data

Closed

Code: 37921 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-2025-IDATA-01 | Programme name: 29844 | Start submission calls: 09/07/2025 | End submission calls: 02/10/2025

Lot1: Improved methods for chemical and biological monitoring data collection and reporting in collaboration with AGoD and EFSA programs

The overarching tasks are

a) to provide strategic and operational support to the Advisory Group on Data (AGoD) and EFSA in enhancing methods, processes, and tools related to data collection and data sharing.

b) to contribute to the sponsorship and monitoring of new AGoD’s and EFSA’s data initiatives in close collaboration with the iDATA Unit, ENREL Unit, and relevant EFSA programmes. To achieve the above overarching tasks, the beneficiary will be expected to coordinate, execute, and monitor activities (e.g. projects) aligned with the objectives of AgoD and its subgroups.

Lot2: Harmonized food consumption and food composition data collection – Support to terminology management

Support activities related to the collection and analysis of harmonised and high-quality food consumption and food composition. Support to the terminology management of EFSA is also foreseen.

 

Continuation of the Quantum Technologies Flagship (CSA)

Closed

Code: 37918 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 10/06/2025 | End submission calls: 02/10/2025

The new Quantum Flagship CSA will serve as a global observatory, monitoring and reporting on international advances in quantum technologies. It will actively disseminate EU achievements through regular articles and wide promotion, while also supporting the European Commission and related projects with resources, expertise, and event organisation. In addition, it will design targeted communication strategies to raise awareness among different audiences, strengthen coordination between the EU, Member States, and international partners, and provide essential input for harmonising strategies. Finally, it will assist governance structures to ensure smooth implementation of the Flagship’s strategic vision, including supporting the creation of new bodies or initiatives when needed.

Migration, de-colonisation, slavery and multicultural European societies

Closed

Code: 37914 | Identifier Code: CERV-2025-CITIZENS-REM-HISTMIGRATION | Programme name: 2926 | Start submission calls: 19/06/2025 | End submission calls: 01/10/2025

Migration, de-colonisation, enslavement, and imperialism are embedded in the European history, and all have profound consequences for society today.

Migration has a long and varied history in Europe but is often treated solely as a present- day phenomenon. However, population movements in Europe, from economic, political migration to expulsion and deportation after the Second World War, from fleeing violence and persecution to migration after the creation of the EU, have marked 20^th century European history. The specific history of female migration can also be considered. Migration is multi-faceted and the experiences of migration into, out of or within Europe are lessons for future generations.

Forced migration, internal displacement and expulsion is an experience shared by many Europeans during the period of war. This includes the forced displacement and persecution of Roma populations during and after the Second World War, and its long-term consequences.

There is a wider acceptance of the need to address the past. The discussion on structural racism including antigypsyism entails an examination of the past, present and future of the cultural fabric of Europe.

Colonialism, slavery, and imperialism have left a mark on global history. Prejudices and stereotypes can be addressed by acknowledging the historical roots of racism, including from an intersectional perspective. De-colonisation, the dismantlement of colonial empires particularly in the 20th century and the emerging post-colonial European societies are shaped by this experience until today. While for many, colonialism is considered a chapter in history, the consequences of imperialistic rule inside and outside Europe are felt still today and are intertwined with structural racism and discrimination. However, these debates have been absent for far too long and need to be firmly embedded in a European narrative. Ensuring remembrance is an important part of encouraging inclusion and understanding.

Following the decolonisation process in international relations in the early 20th century, the UN World Conference on Combating Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Xenophobia established that structural inequalities are caused by the consequences of colonialism and slavery. Stemming from this observation, in its EU Anti-Racism Action Plan 2020-2025, the Commission made efforts to communicate on addressing the historical roots of racism.

Democratic transition, (re-)building and strengthening society based on the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights

Closed

Code: 37911 | Identifier Code: CERV-2025-CITIZENS-REM-TRANSITION | Programme name: 2926 | Start submission calls: 19/06/2025 | End submission calls: 01/10/2025

The EU is a community of values, and all its Member States committed to respect the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental rights. Europe’s experiences in the 20th century demonstrates the need for resilient democracies and the need for people to actively engage in and protect democratic institutions and values. Historical experience such as in the 1920s and 1930s, when some European democracies went through particularly challenging times, are stark reminders of the importance to promote democracy, also in a historical perspective. Today, democracy faces several challenges, which underlined the need to strengthen public trust in democratic processes and institutions and to recall the importance of democracy in people’s daily life.

Democratic transitions (defined as the transition from a non-democratic to a democratic system, a transition undertaken by several European countries before joining the EU) are not only political and legal processes but also societal transformations. The transition and consolidation of democracies through institutional and legal reforms has been essential. In addition, delivering justice to victims and affected communities after the fall of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes (including communist and fascist dictatorships) can aid in societal healing, bolster and reinforce resilience against present and future threats to democracies.