Grand Challenge on Quantum Sensors for Inertial Navigation

This grant supports the first phase of a two-phase competitive structure under Horizon Europe to benchmark the commercial viability and investment readiness of quantum-enabled navigation systems. The aim is to deliver comprehensive technical, industrialisation, and financial roadmaps for Q-INS (Quantum Inertial Navigation Systems), with validated performance milestones and commercialization plans. Projects are expected to establish evidence-based design and benchmarking packages for reduced-scale systems, aiming at applications such as maritime, aviation, space, autonomous systems, and small satellites, and are encouraged to engage end-users and prepare for future investment support by EIB/InvestEU. Funded actions are expected to last around six months, produce documented lab-validation of prototypes, and drive EU technological sovereignty in strategic navigation infrastructure.

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Agency	HORIZON (EU)
Region	EU
Country	N/A
Legal form	Company
Start date	15 Jan 2026
End date	15 Apr 2026
Max funding	up to EUR 0.5 million per project
Budget	EUR 2,000,000 (indicative budget for this topic in 2026 with maximum 0.5 M EUR per grant, 3 expected grants)
Coverage	EU funding covers up to 100% for eligible costs under Coordination and Support Actions (CSA)

Grant application conditions

Applicant eligibility	Proposal must be submitted by a single legal entity that is an SME (mono-beneficiary CSA).
Geographic eligibility	Participation is limited to legal entities established in EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Entities in third countries that become associated to Horizon Europe during 2026-2027 may be eligible if listed as eligible at time of application submission.
Ownership and Control Restrictions	Entities must not be directly or indirectly controlled by a non-eligible country or non-eligible country entity unless guarantees are provided to ensure no adverse impact on EU’s strategic interests. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network equipment (or controlled by such) cannot participate unless guarantees cannot be provided.
Project Type	Coordination and Support Action (CSA) focused on readiness analysis, benchmarking, commercial and investor-readiness of Q-INS systems.
Duration	Expected duration: ~6 months.
Project Outputs	Technical roadmap (system architecture, integration, milestones, risk and industrialisation plan) Financial roadmap and viability assessment Validated benchmarking reports with preliminary results based on existing or externally financed prototypes (no EU funding for prototype development in this CSA) List of target end-users and use-case requirements
Application Format	Customised application form and evaluation form for this call must be used as per online Submission System.
Documentation	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-11

Eligible expenses

Evaluation criteria

Business exclusions

Reporting

Application process

Application requirements