Imaging the Earth's interior has always been one of the key challenges in geosciences as it is a prerequisite for understanding our planet's internal dynamics and the coupling between its inner and outer envelopes. Gravity measurements at different altitudes (ground, airborne and space-based observations) provide a unique imaging tool, as they supply direct information on mass changes at different spatio-temporal scales. Following decades of research, developments and industrial transfers, quantum technology reached a high level of maturity and it is now possible to deliver operational quantum gravimeters offering various advantages with respect to devices that have been hitherto used. Aligned with the objective of strengthening EU’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness, EQUIP-G proposes to deploy a network of quantum gravimeters in Europe. This will represent the first step towards establishing the terrestrial segment of the pan-European quantum gravimetry infrastructure, revolving around a shared instrumentation facility (Instrumental Park). For this purpose, quantum gravimeters, dual quantum gravi-gradiometers and an onboard quantum gravimeter will be employed. These instruments will be comprehensively tested, before being deployed in the field. We will demonstrate, through innovative measurement strategies, the ability of the quantum gravity network to contribute to EU priorities, such as green deal, energy management and risk mitigation. Metrological oversight will ensure that all collected quantum gravity data will be SI traceable. Data will be managed in line with the FAIR principles and with a long-term perspective to establish a TCS for gravimetry within EPOS. EQUIP-G will engage in strong community building, aimed at involving the whole European gravimetry community in the development of the long-term Instrumental Park initiative that will extend beyond the end of the project, democratizing the use of quantum gravity devices produced in Europe.

QuantERA III is aimed at strengthening Europe’s leadership in Quantum Technologies (QT) through a highly coordinated transnational approach. Building on the success of its predecessors, QuantERA III will subsidise cutting-edge research by launching a Cofunded Call for Proposals in 2025, backed by over €37 M in national contributions, targeting two critical areas: Quantum Phenomena and Resources and Applied Quantum Science. Additional €15 M of the EU contribution shall be allocated to both the Cofunded Call budget and the project tasks. By supporting projects that lay the foundations for future QT advancements and translating quantum science into practical applications, the Programme will catalyse new directions in the field, ensuring the EU’s leading status in this transformative technology sector. QuantERA III’s objectives align seamlessly with the EC’s Work Programme, as it seeks to address fragmentation in QT research across the European Research Area (ERA) and develop synergy in transnational research efforts. QuantERA III is designed to meet the highest standards of excellence, capitalising on the collective expertise and resources of 40 RFOs from 30 countries (incl. 14 Widening countries) – the Programme will achieve its objectives through a well-structured approach that leverages the unique strengths of each Consortium partner. It will explore further funding opportunities, continue mapping QT policies in Europe, address gender imbalance in QT, and – liaising with the Quantum Flagship and other stakeholders – engage with non-European countries to expand its reach and amplify its impact. The Consortium aims to build a sustainable vision for QuantERA beyond Horizon Europe, benefitting the entire ERA by enhancing Europe’s innovation capacity and maintaining its competitive edge on the global stage. Through its comprehensive framework of six Work Packages, the proposal ensures the realisation of its goals, aligning perfectly with the EC’s priorities for R&I.

The Internet has had a revolutionary impact on our world. The vision of a Quantum Internet is to provide fundamentally new Internet technology by enabling quantum communication between any two points on earth. In synergy with the ‘classical’ Internet that we have today, a Quantum Internet will connect quantum processors to achieve unparalleled capabilities that are provably impossible using classical communication. The mission of the Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) is to build a global Quantum Internet made in Europe – by developing a full-stack prototype network, and by driving an innovative European Quantum Internet ecosystem capable of scaling the network to world-leading European technology. Building on its proven track record in teamwork, which has already resulted in world first Quantum Internet technology, QIA advances this mission in two complementary objectives: The first is the realization of a full-stack prototype network able to distribute entanglement between two metropolitan-scale networks via a long-distance backbone (>500 km) using quantum repeaters. The second is the establishment of a European platform for Quantum Internet development, which will act as a catalyst for a European Quantum Internet Ecosystem including actors all along the value chain. QIA’s network will enable advanced quantum-network applications and prepare the ground for secure quantum computing in the cloud, thanks to our new generation of end nodes including both processing nodes and low-cost photonic client devices. Nodes in the metropolitan network will be interconnected via hubs that allow the scalable connection of hundreds of end nodes, paving the way for early adopters. The long-distance backbone will be realized using fully functional quantum repeaters unlocking Pan-European end-to-end quantum communication. QIA’s prototype network will operate on standard optical fibers and serves to validate all key sub-systems, ready to be scaled by European industry.

Quantum Technologies (QT) is a highly interdisciplinary, paradigm-changing area of research. European researchers have been at the forefront of these developments, delivering many groundbreaking scientific results and advancing technological exploitation. For the past four years, the QuantERA network has been successfully providing the research community with a coordinated Europe-wide approach to support cutting-edge research in QT. Building on this experience, with EU support, the QuantERA consortium (currently present in 30 countries) will continue its activities and develop them even further. The central objective of this proposal is to launch a transnational co-funded call with a planned budget of over €26M of national contributions. €15M of EU contribution is expected to support the co-funded call budget and project tasks. In accordance with the FET Work Programme 2018-2020, the scientific scope of the QuantERA II co-funded call will complement the Quantum Technologies Flagship activities. QuantERA II will seek to effectively liaise with the QT Flagship and other stakeholders in the field of QT research to make the best use of the collective European experience in QT research funding, as well as address the gender imbalance in QT research and spread the research excellence across European Research Area (ERA). A range of additional activities will be integrated into the launch of the co-funded call: strengthening the multilateral dialogue with policy makers regarding the design of future funding instruments, stimulation of networking and exchange of best practices, continuation of mapping of public QT policies in Europe, use of the Guidelines on Responsible Research and Innovation in QT developed in the first QuantERA programme. The QuantERA II proposal conforms to the specific challenges and scope of the Work Programme Horizon 2020-Future and Emerging Technologies by providing a structured framework to coordinate national and regional research programmes in QT.